A six-year-old, male entire, Staffordshire terrier was presented with severe haematuria. Physical examination was unremarkable, including rectal exam. Initial diagnostic tests included haematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, buccal mucosal bleeding time and clotting times. Aside from marked gross haematuria, results were unremarkable. Abdominal imaging (radiography and ultrasonography) showed a diffuse thickening of the dorsal wall of the urinary bladder, with multiple hyperechoic foci in the lumen (likely blood clots). The prostate was normal in size but contained multiple, small anechoic nodules throughout the parenchyma, suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cytology and culture of a cystocentesis and prostatic fine-needle aspirates were unremarkable. A positive contrast retrograde urethrography demonstrated a smoothly marginated filling defect, located at the cranial margin of the penile urethra, ventral to the level of the ischial tuberosities. Urethroscopy revealed an ulcerated polypoid mass at the level of the pelvic flexure. The dog developed a moderate regenerative anaemia (HCT 21%, ref. 37-55) thus a matched packed red blood cell blood transfusion was given before general anaesthetic. Surgical excision of the mass was performed. Histopathological examination was consistent with a benign vascular structure (urethral haemangioma/ hamartoma). Immunohistochemical analysis for Factor VIII showed a markedly positive stanning pattern, confirming the diagnosis. Surgical excision resulted in complete resolution of the clinical signs. Urethral tumours are most often malignant (such as urothelial carcinoma, haemangiosarcoma) with benign neoplasms and inflammatory conditions being reported seldomly. Urethral haemangioma is a rare vascular benign tumour, and to the authors’ knowledge, it has not been previously confirmed in dogs.
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