Page 202 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

194 PART 4 CAT WITH URINARY TRACT SIGNS

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing an incontinent cat
ANOMALY

● Ectopic ureter(s)* (p 198)
A congenital or acquired anomaly where one or both ureters fail to terminate normally into the uri-
nary bladder. Mainly seen in young cats showing continuous or intermittent dribbling of urine with
wetness and dermatitis around the perineal area. The urinary bladder, if palpable, is not distended.

● Patent urachus (p 201)
Kittens show urine leakage from the umbilicus because the urachus between the urinary bladder and
the umbilicus remains functionally patent after birth.

● Spinal dysraphism (p 201)
Young cats, especially Manx cats. Overflow incontinence occurs because of malformation of the
sacral spinal cord segments and disruption of nerve pathways responsible for micturition.
Commonly seen with other hindquarter abnormalities.

● Colorocystic fistula (p 202)
The fistula between the urinary bladder and colon predisposes to urinary incontinence and urinary
tract infection.

● Ectopic uterine horns (p 202)
Ectopic uterine horns terminate in the urinary bladder and result in persistent urinary incontinence
and cystitis.
● Exstrophy (p 203)
Urine dribbling from defects in the ventral abdominal wall, urinary bladder and external genitalia.
MECHANICAL
● Hypocontractile bladder (detrusor atony)*** (p 195)
Results from detrusor dysfunction or occurs secondary to increased urethral outflow resistance.
Overflow incontinence occurs and the bladder may or may not be easily expressed. Often associ-
ated with hindquarter abnormalities.

● Urethral incompetence* (p 200)
Intermittent leakage occurs without a distended badder, often while the cat is sleeping or relaxed.
Results from trauma, dysraphism, urethral hypoplasia and possibly feline leukemia virus infection
and desexing. More common in aged cats.

● Urethral stricture* (p 199)
May present as overflow incontinence and dysuria in a young cat (congenital), but more common
secondary to trauma, inflammation or iatrogenic following traumatic catheterization of a blocked cat.

IDIOPATHIC
● Dysautonomia (p 203)
Overflow incontinence is associated with gastrointestinal and ocular signs due to an autonomic
polyganglionopathy. Sudden onset of anorexia and depression occurs together with dilated unre-
sponsive pupils, bradycardia, dry mucous membranes and GIT signs.