Urinary incontinence in dogs is a condition frequently encountered in veterinary practice, characterized by a complex etiology and diverse pathophysiological mechanisms that affect normal micturition control. Alteration of urinary continence results from injuries involving the central and peripheral nervous system, urinary bladder musculature, sphincter apparatus, or hormonal balance, often arising from the interaction of multiple pathogenic factors. Clinical manifestations may range from intermittent urinary leakage, particularly at rest, to permanent incontinence or overflow incontinence associated with urinary retention, which complicates differential diagnosis. Establishing the exact etiology can be challenging in the absence of a proper pathophysiological approach, as clinical signs are often nonspecific and overlapping among different forms of incontinence. The analysis of the mechanisms involved in urinary continence control is essential for guiding diagnosis and selecting appropriate therapeutic strategies. This paper aims to provide a synthesis of the main pathophysiological injuries involved in the alteration of urinary continence in dogs, by reviewing the available scientific literature and highlighting clinically relevant correlations for routine veterinary practice.
Codreanu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.