Three‐dimensional bladder ultrasound to measure daily urinary bladder volume in hospitalized dogs

• Published in: Journal of veterinary internal medicine Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 2256 - 2262
• Main Authors: Vasquez, Edward J., Kendall, Allison, Musulin, Sarah, Vaden, Shelly L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-09-2021; Wiley
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Bladder; bladder volume; Catheters; dogs; Hospitalization; Intubation; Metastasis; Narcotics; Ostomy; Radiation therapy; SMALL ANIMAL; Ultrasonic imaging; ultrasound; Urinary retention; Urinary tract diseases; Urinary tract infections; Urine; urine residual volume; Urogenital system; Veterinary medicine; North Carolina; United States > US
• ISSN: 0891-6640; 1939-1676
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16232

Background
Urinary bladder volume (UBV) and urine residual volume (URV) provide important information for hospitalized dogs and might allow recognition of urine retention.
Objective
Using 3‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound to monitor daily URV is a safe and effective way to recognize urinary retention.
Animals
Twenty‐five client‐owned hospitalized dogs.
Methods
Prospective, observational study. UBV and URV were measured using 3D ultrasound daily at approximately the same time. UBV was measured, the dog was taken for a 5‐minute controlled leash walk, then URV was estimated. Concurrent use of opioids, anesthetics, and fluids administered IV were recorded.
Results
Daily URVs were >0.4 mL/kg in 22 of 25 dogs on at least 1 day of hospitalization. Seventeen of 25 dogs had an abnormal URV at the time of discharge. Of 18 dogs that were anesthetized while hospitalized, 16 had a URV >0.4 mL/kg with a mean of 4.34 mL/kg (range, 0.5‐13.4 mL/kg). No statistical difference in degree of URV was found based on the use of anesthesia, administration of fluids IV, or opioids. Weight was significantly associated with URV; dogs <10 kg had a higher URV per unit mass than dogs >10 kg (P = .001).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
Use of a 3D ultrasound device to measure daily UBV and URV in hospitalized dogs provides a safe estimate of bladder volume in real‐time. Monitoring daily URV might help in early identification of patients that are retaining urine, thereby preventing potential adverse effects of urethral catheterization or prolonged urinary retention.