Diagnosis and Management of Urinary Incontinence

Presentation Description / Summary: Urinary incontinence is a common condition in small animal patients (especially female spayed dogs). Unfortunately, this condition results in significant alterations in quality of life for both the dog and pet owner. Urinary incontinence may be caused by neurologic or non-neurologic conditions. This lecture will focus on non-neurologic causes and utilize the normal physiology of micturition to discuss the potential pathophysiologic reasons for urinary incontinence in small animal patients (with a focus on canines). Specifically, diagnostic and management strategies for urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, ectopic ureter(s), and detrusor instability will be discussed in detail. Case examples (including images/videos) will be utilized to aid in explanation of these conditions.

Learner Outcomes: 1. At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to recognize common features of the history and/or physical exam that will aid in narrowing differential diagnoses in patients with urinary incontinence. 2. At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of both medical and interventional management strategies of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. 3. At the end of this lecture, attendees will understand how cystoscopy-guided laser ablation of intramural ectopic ureters is performed.