(NU15) Urinary Incontinence in Male Dogs

Abstract:

Background: Urinary incontinence in male dogs is a poorly characterized disorder. Incontinence patterns are often used to establish differential diagnoses in female dogs. However, in male dogs, this often results in inaccurate conclusions regarding which component of the lower urinary tract is affected, propagating inappropriate treatment recommendations.

Objective: To 1) determine the incidence of storage vs. voiding micturition disorders in male dogs presenting for urinary incontinence and 2) report the post-void residual volume (PVR) measurements for dogs in each category.
Animals: 35 client-owned male dogs presenting for urinary incontinence.

Methods: Retrospective case series. Signalment, presenting complaint, treatments, PVR measurements, and working diagnoses were recorded. PVR measurements were obtained via 3D ultrasound or urethral catheterization.

Results: Eighteen dogs were diagnosed with disorders of storage (urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence n = 16, ectopic ureters n = 3) with a median age of 3 years (range 6m-10y) and median weight of 28.2kg (range 13.9-44.1kg). Fifteen dogs were diagnosed with disorders of voiding (detrusor-urethral dysfunction n = 13, lower motor neuron bladder = 2), with a median age of 7 years (range 1.5y-10y) and median weight of 37.5kg (range 9.5-72.2kg). One dog was diagnosed with behavioral incontinence and one with partial urethral obstruction. All dogs with disorders of storage had PVR < 1.1 ml/kg and all dogs with disorders of voiding had PVR >2.3 ml/kg (P = < 0.001).
Conclusions and clinical importance: Disorders of both storage and voiding are common causes of urinary incontinence in male dogs. Differentiation can be facilitated via PVR measurement.