Hipospadia em cães: revisão de literatura.

Abstract

Hypospadia in dogs is an anomaly of unknown etiology. Due to the little existing knowledge about this pathology and the great impact on the health and wellbeing of the affected animals, this study aimed to carry out research on the literature on the main aspects of it, such as etiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and the forms of treatment available. There are indications that this disease may be associated with several factors, which are genetic, nutritional and endocrine. This is a pathology that has a predilection for the male gender and, even though it is little reported, this disease is known to affect most commonly breed’s dogs like doberman pinscher, german shepherd, cocker spaniel, danish, boston terrier and collie. The anomaly is characterized by a failure in genitourinary development, mainly affecting the urethra, which presents with an erroneous opening in relation to the normal anatomical orifice. Other characteristics of this condition include the abnormal development of the penis, foreskin and scrotum. The diagnosis can be made even in the first weeks of the animal's life, observing the wrong urethral opening. The most serious clinical signs appear later and are usually caused by the acidity of the urine in contact with the skin. Depending on the type of hypospadias, clinical treatment can be performed. Yet, in most cases, surgical treatment is the most indicated, with reconstructive or excision surgery. It is concluded that surgical procedures bring a better quality of life and wellbeing to the animal, in addition, surgical success does not depend on the age of the animal, but on the technique used. Preventive methods can also be used to decrease the incidence of this anomaly.