Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2026 May;67(3):e70181. doi: 10.1111/vru.70181.
ABSTRACT
Ultrasonography is frequently utilized in patients with urinary incontinence to screen for structural abnormalities such as ectopic ureters (EUs). Furosemide can be administered during an ultrasound for a better assessment of the ureters and their insertions. Furosemide decreases urine specific gravity (USG), and differences in specific gravity allow a better visibility of ureteral jets on ultrasound; however, it is unknown whether furosemide has utility in patients with hyposthenuria or isosthenuria. The aims of this study were to determine if furosemide administration improves the diagnosis of EUs using ultrasound and if there is a USG below which furosemide will not increase ureteral jet visibility. Thirty-one dogs with clinical suspicion for EUs, and seven dogs with polyuria and polydipsia were included. Urinary tract ultrasonography was performed, and a diagnosis of the presence or absence of EUs was made. Urine collected by urocystocentesis was used to measure USG, furosemide was administered, and the exam was repeated. Ultrasound results were compared to cystoscopy or other means of negative diagnosis to determine accuracy. The accuracy of the EU diagnosis following furosemide was not statistically significant. There was a significant increase in the confidence of diagnosis post-furosemide; there was no association between increased confidence and improved accuracy. Ureteral jets were visible following furosemide in dogs with USGs as low as 1.006. On the basis of these findings, furosemide can be helpful to improve confidence of EU diagnosis and can be administered to increase ureteral jet visibility in dogs with hyposthenuria or isosthenuria.
PMID:42170689 | DOI:10.1111/vru.70181
