Urinary incontinence and urinary tract cancers; Wound management and reconstruction
There is much that remains unknown about urinary incontinence, and the complexity of the pathophysiology of urination is part of the appeal of this area of research. There are also aspects that are very similar to conditions that exist in human beings and the dog could prove a good model for further investigation/treatment of human disease.
Currently I am undertaking research projects into two causes of urinary incontinence - urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) and ectopic ureters. The USMI project is focussing on a comparison of two surgical techniques to treat this condition (colposuspension and artificial urethral sphincter) and the role of urodynamic urethral pressure profiles in assessing these patients pre and intra-operatively. The ectopic ureter projects are assessing ureteral position in clinically normal Golden retrievers with the aim of developing a pre-breeding screening programme to reduce the incidence of ectopic ureters (wet puppies) in this breed and evaluating potential pre-operative factors that may influence outcome in dogs undergoing treatment for ectopic ureters.
I also have a strong interest in progressing our understanding, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract cancers in dogs, which are often diagnosed late and lack good treatment options.
Wound management and reconstruction is my second field of research interest. I am particularly excited by evidence-based wound management, negative pressure wound therapy and novel methods of wound reconstruction.
