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The team at Veterinary Specialists Scotland in Livingston, led by internal medicine specialist Nick Bommer, carrying out the rare laser ablation procedure on Lily the cat.

The team at Veterinary Specialists Scotland in Livingston, led by internal medicine specialist Nick Bommer, carrying out the rare laser ablation procedure on Lily the cat.

Non-invasive Laser Ablation For Puppy With Ectopic Ureter And Vaginal Septum

1 year ago
612 views

Posted
19th October, 2023 08h10

Author
Linnaeus Group


Non-invasive laser treatment at one of Scotland’s leading veterinary referral centres has proved highly successful in solving a young puppy’s urinary incontinence.

The three-month-old Labrador Retriever, called Lily, was born with an ectopic ureter and a persistent vaginal septum; congenital defects that made it impossible for her to retain urine and left her constantly wetting and dribbling. 

She was successfully treated by internal medicine specialist Nick Bommer at Linnaeus-owned Veterinary Specialists Scotland (VSS), in Livingston, which is one of only two veterinary clinics in the country capable of carrying out laser ablations. 

Nick, a European specialist in small animal medicine, says he opted for the laser ablation approach as, unlike traditional surgery, it is a non-invasive procedure with a significantly shorter recovery time. 

He said: “Lily was referred to us suffering from urinary incontinence, so we carried out ultrasound and CT scans and performed a cystoscopy.

“Our investigations revealed Lily had an ectopic ureter and a persistent vaginal septum. 

“Traditional treatment involves surgery but I’m a keen advocate of non-invasive management, where possible, and laser ablation works very well and is often a superior alternative. 

“In this instance, we used this minimally invasive technique to remove the wall of the ectopic ureter and the vaginal septum with the added advantage that the recovery period would be significantly shorter. 

“Laser ablation is not widely available and VSS is one of only two centres in Scotland with the specialist skills and resources to provide this non-invasive care. 

“It requires the ability to perform fluoroscopy and cystoscopy intra-operatively and operate a diode laser to ablate the abnormal tissue. 

“It really was a team effort as our internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and soft tissue surgery disciplines, supported by our specialist nurses, all combining to carry out the  imaging and laser procedures. 

“It was a great success and provided an immediate resolution of Lily’s incontinence and she was allowed home the next day.” 

VSS is a specialist-led multidisciplinary referral centre offering industry-leading services in cardiology, dermatology, internal medicine (feline and canine), neurology, orthopaedics, and soft tissue surgery, supported by specialists in diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia and analgesia. 

For more information about VSS and the services it offers, visit www.vetscotland.co.uk or search for Veterinary Specialists Scotland on social media. 


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