Ginkgo's Ectopic Ureter Surgery

I adopted Ginkgo in September 2020 from a shelter in Washington, DC. At the time, I was told that she most likely had urinary incontinence due to complications from having puppies or being spayed. She was found as a stray, and they believed she was abandoned due to her incontinence.

During what was a busy time for pet adoptions, no one had shown any interest in adopting Ginkgo. A foster family had even returned her to the shelter because they did not want to deal with her incontinence.

The shelter said that if no one was willing to adopt her and care for her health needs she would most likely be put down.

After meeting Ginkgo, I could not imagine adopting any other dog. She is so sweet and playful and is essentially a big meatball. Her favorite activities include being on the couch, chasing leaves she thinks are mice, and chewing stuffed squirrels, cows, and pigs and then distributing their fluff as far as the eye can see. Perhaps most of all, she loves playing with her best friend Ella!

Since adopting her, she has spent most of her time in doggy diapers. After trying various medications and treatments, her incontinence did not improve. I recently took her to a specialist who diagnosed her incontinence as the result of an ectopic ureter, a congenital abnormality where one of the tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder inserts past the urethral sphincter, rather than into the bladder as normal.

Without surgery, Ginkgo will live with urinary incontinence for the rest of her life, which increases her risk of bladder and urinary tract infections. She also has a consistent rash on her lower belly due to the diapers, which also puts her at increased risk of infection.

Treatment for an ectopic ureter is typically done through a procedure called cystoscopy. Cystoscopy is the process of inserting a small camera up through the urethra to visualize the ectopic ureter. Using the camera guidance, a small laser is used to correct the abnormal placement of the ureter.

I need help covering the cost of the procedure, which will be between $5,300 - $6,000. Unfortunately, this is considered a pre-existing condition and is not covered by insurance. In fact, Gingko is not eligible for many types of pet insurance because of her incontinence!

If you are able, please consider donating to help Ginkgo get the help she needs!