Micturition in dogs and cats

Micturition is the normal process of the passive storage and active voiding of urine. Disorders of micturition encompass problems with urine storage (incontinence) and bladder emptying (urine retention). Urinary incontinence is the inappropriate passage of urine during the storage phase of micturition.

The most common forms of urinary incontinence are detrusor hyperreflexia or instability, and urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. Urine retention can occur in patients with decreased detrusor muscle contractility or with increased urethral resistance. Armed with an understanding of bladder and urethral neuroanatomy, as well as the mechanism of action of the currently available drugs, clinicians are able to effectively control many disorders of micturition.

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