Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in the male dog: importance of bladder neck position, proximal urethral length and castration

Abstract

The radiographs of 37 incontinent adult male dogs with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence were compared with those of 28 control dogs to determine if, as in the bitch, differences in bladder neck position and urethral length were implicated in the pathophysiology of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. Bladder neck position was significantly different; compared with continent dogs, incontinent animals were significantly more likely (P < 0.005) to have intrapelvic than intra-abdominal bladder necks. However, after allowing for the influence of body size, and unlike the situation in the bitch, there was no significant difference in proximal urethral length between the two groups. Bladder neck position was significantly related to prostate size (P < 0.001) and it is suggested that this is one reason why castrated male dogs are more prone to urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence than entire animals. A logistic regression analysis revealed that both bladder neck position and castration status were significant risk factors for incontinence and that they appeared to be acting independently of each other.

A Technique for Resection of Invasive Tumors Involving the Trigone Area of the Bladder in Dogs: Preliminary Results in Two Dogs

“…Shortening of the urethra displaces the bladder caudally into the pelvic canal, potentially preventing exposure of the bladder neck to the intraabdominal pressure. 30 In our dogs, postoperative positive-contrast studies demonstrated that the bladders were not displaced in the pelvis (Fig 7); however, the extent of the tumor into the proximal urethra should be taken into account before using this surgical technique. In our dogs, resection of o2 cm of urethra was sufficient to provide clean resection margins.…”

Serum luteinizing hormone concentration is significantly associated with recovery of urinary function after radical prostatectomy

“…Measurement of free or bioavailable testosterone could be useful when the TT concentration is not definitively diagnostic. In dogs, one of the side‐effects of neutering is the development of urinary incontinence . Interestingly, GnRH analogue treatment to lower plasma LH and FSH concentrations results in a temporary return of continence or an improvement of symptoms during the treatment periods .…”

Outcome after Placement of an Artificial Urethral Sphincter in 27 Dogs

“…Information regarding previous medical therapy was not recorded for 2 dogs. Seven dogs had one or more previous surgical or endoscopic procedures for incontinence, including submucosal collagen injections (4 dogs), neoureterocystostomy (4), and laser ablation of intramural ectopic ureters (2).…”

“…Final continence scores were obtained in 25 of 27 dogs (Fig 3), with a median follow-up of 12.5 (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) months. Median (IQR) continence scores were significantly improved (P < .0001) between the preoperative period (2 [1][2][3][4]) and last follow-up period (9 [8-10]). Overall owner satisfaction was high, with 22 owners describing themselves as very satisfied, 2 as satisfied, and 3 as unsatisfied.…”

“…Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) occurs in up to 20.1% 1 of female dogs after ovariohysterectomy and as an acquired condition in castrated male dogs. 2,3 Urethral sphincter dysfunction is also a common cause of persistent incontinence after surgical repair of ureteral ectopia. [4][5][6][7][8] Medical therapy with alpha adrenergic agonists and estrogen are effective in 60-90% of dogs, although these drugs are not without side effects.…”