Your dog’s ureters are part of the urinary tract system. The ureters are located between your dog’s kidneys and bladder, and they help deliver urine from the kidneys to the bladder. If your dog has an ectopic ureter, it means that your dog has a congenital, or present at birth, abnormality in the terminal area of one or both of the ureters. Instead of opening into the bladder like a normal ureter, the ureters(s) opens only at the neck of your dog’s bladder, in the urethra or, if your dog is female, in her uterus or the vagina.

Ectopic ureters are much more common in females than in males. Certain breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Poodles and Siberian Huskies all seem to be predisposed to having ectopic ureters.

Urinary incontinence or urinary spotting are the main symptoms which will likely begin when your dog is quite young.

Dogs are born with this condition. However, it is not known why this abnormality develops.

Your vet will likely suspect an ectopic ureter if your very young dog has urinary incontinence. Your vet will also conduct a physical exam where your dog will be inspected around her genital region for moist or urine-stained hair or a moist rash. Your vet will perform a urinalysis and urine culture to check for urinary tract infections which are quite common in dogs with ectopic ureters. Your vet will also evaluate your dog’s urinary tract using at least one of several imaging techniques such as ultrasounds, X-rays or cytoscopy in which a lighted instrument is placed in your dog's urethra to allow the vet to see your dog's lower urinary tract.

Ectopic ureters are generally treated by surgical correction.

Do not breed dogs with ectopic ureters. Likewise, you should not acquire a dog who has family history of ectopic ureters.

No, you cannot develop an ectopic ureter from your dog.