Introduction

• Urinary incontinence Urinary incontinence is a relatively common condition, predominantly affecting neutered bitches, but also intact bitches and male dogs.
• Urinary incontinence can be subdivided into five main categories:
  • Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) Urinary incontinence: urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence.
  • Anatomical abnormalities (eg ectopic ureter Ureter: ectopic ).
  • Urge incontinence (eg detrusor hyperexcitability or urinary tract infection Cystitis ).
  • PU/PD Polydipsia (non-pathological causes).
  • Overflow incontinence (eg neurological conditions or obstruction (eg neoplasia Bladder: neoplasia ).
• Many of these conditions can be successfully treated; however a complete diagnostic investigation is key to acquiring a full understanding of the nature of the condition in each individual; more than one cause for the incontinence can be present in some cases.

Definitions

• Urinary incontinence: inability to control the voiding excretion of urine.
• Nocturia: the need to wake and pass urine at night.
• Polyuria: increased urine production. Usually increased volume and frequency of passage.
• Dysuria Dysuria investigation : difficulty in passing urine.
• Pollakiuria: increased frequency of passage of urine, but reduced volume.
  It is important to use thoughtful and accurate history taking to ensure that the patient has urinary incontinence, and not another urinary disorder

History

Investigation

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Goldstein R E & Westropp J L (2005) Urodynamic testing in the diagnosis of small animal micturition disorders. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract 20 (1), 65-72 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Hotston-Moore A & Ragni R (2012) Clinical Manual of Small Animal Endosurgery. Wiley & Sons Ltd.