What happens in the storage phase of the bladder (physiology)
Sympathetic output via hypogastric nerve stimulates
1) Beta receptors in detrusor activated to cause relaxation of bladder
2) Alpha receptors in urethral smooth muscle activated to cause contraction and stop leakage
How is voluntary control of urinary done
HIgher cortex via pons and spinal cord activates pudendal nerve
- Pudendal nerve acts on nicotonic receptors on urethral striated muscle to keep it closed and prevent urination
How does the physiology behind bladder emptying work after it is full
Stretch receptors in bladder wall are activated and signal to CNS to activate pelvic nerve (parasympthetic)
- Pelvic nerve activates muscarinic receptors on destrusor muscle to cause contraction
+ the pons mediates inhibition of the alpha receptors on the urethra to allow relaxation; inhibitino of symp nervous system
Difference in urethral anatomy between males and females
Females have short urethra and only distal 1/3 has striated muscle
vs mlaes have longer urethra and distal 2/3 has striated muscle
So females much more prone to urinary incontinence
What are cats less prone to urethral incontinence
Because they have a narrow urethra which provides resistance
What is the most common congenital vs acquired cause of urinary incontinence
Congenital = ectopic ureters
Acquired = urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence
Where should ureters enter the bladder and what are the two ways we can get ectopic ureters
Should enter at trigone
- Can have intramural ureters that travel through bladder wall to uretha; this is more common in dogs
- Can have extra-mural ureters which miss the bladder and enter directly into ureter; more common in cats
Which breeds get ectopic ureters
Golden retrievers, labradors, french bulldogs, poodles
What does urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence mean
Weakness of the urethral muscle
- More common acquired but can be congenital
What is spay incontinence
Type of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence where there is a loss of hormonal influence (estrogen) that normally contributes to the number of alpha receptors on urethral smooth muscle ad their activity
How can we get secondary bladder hypoplasia
If puppies are always incontinent can stop proper bladder development
What s destrusor gyperexcitability
Urge incontinence
An acquired cause or urinary incontinence which is presumed where patients don’t improve with treatment
What is overflow incontinence and when is it seen
When there is leakage down the ureathra from obstruction or malfunction of the bladder e.g in neuro conditions, bladder atony, urethral/bladder neck partial obstruction
Acquired causes of urinary incompetence
USMI
OVerflow incontinence
UTI; tipping borderline incontinent patients over line
PU/PD putting lots of pressure on system
Destrusor hyperexcitability
What is urodynamics and what is it used to
Catheter with pressure detectors placed in bladder and withdrawn through urethra to give urethral pressure profile
Used to diagnose USMI
How to medically manage bladder atony/overstretching
Want to increase detrusor contractivity
- Via activation of parasymp system with Methanecol Chloride
–> Improves voiding efficiency
Side effects = non-specific parasympathomimetic effects: salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, GI hypermotility
How to medically manage urge incontinence
Treat any UTIs first
Then antimuscarinics e.g oxybutinin or propantheline to reduce unstable contractions and reduce detroser contratility
Side effects: decreased salivation, constipation, reduced GI motility, tachycardia
MEdical management of USMI
Increase urethral resistance
- Can use alpha-adrenergic agonists to act on alpha receptors of smooth muscle; phenylpropanolamine
NB: can lead to aggression, restlessness, hypertesion (since it is a sympathomimetic)
Oestrogens use to increase sensitivity of urethral muscle to catecholamines
Medical management of feline urethral spasm or reflex dyssynergia in dogs
Want to reduce urethral resistance
Smooth muscle relaxation:
- Use alpha-adrenergic blockers e.g Prazosin, Phenoxybenzamine to reduce smooth muscle tone
Side effects = hypotension since reduced symp tone
Skeletal muscle relaxants:
Dantrolene, sedatives
Why don’t we use diazepam in cats
Risk of idiosyncratic hepatic necrosis
How can we do surgery to deal with bladder atony
Put in. a cystostomy tube to rest the detrusor muscle to allow tight junctions to reform and recover from overstretching
What should we do before starting urinary surgery
Treat concurrent UTI; otherwise tissue friable and more risk of post-op sepsis if urine leaks out
Imaging to see what stone type and where etc
Surgical approach for cystotomy and where on the bladder do we incise
Caudal midline coeliotomy from caudal to umbilicus to pubis
Incise on the ventral midline to avoid the ureters
How long does bladder take to heal after surgery