Simultaneous cystometry and uroflowmetry (micturition study) for evaluation of the caudal part of the urinary tract in dogs: reference values for healthy animals sedated with xylazine.
Micturition studies were performed in 12 healthy dogs (6 females and 6 males). The animals were sedated with xylazine given either IV (1.1 mg/kg) or IM (2.2 mg/kg). Separate antepubic catheters were used to perform bladder infusions and record intravesical pressures. Instantaneous urine flow measurements were obtained, using an apparatus specially designed and constructed for small animals. A total of 45 simultaneous cystometric and uroflowmetric recordings were obtained, and numerical values for 16 different micturition variables were tabulated. The variables were analyzed separately on the basis of sex of the animal, route of administration of the sedative, and the fact of having had a previous bladder instrumentation-micturition study performed. Significant differences within individual dogs were not seen in these analyses. Intravesical pressures, urine flow rates, compliances, and urethral resistance were significantly different (P less than 0.05) between male and female dogs. The micturition study was a simple and reliable urodynamic testing method that could be clinically useful in dogs. In contrast to urodynamic tests previously described in veterinary medicine, this method provided evaluation of the bladder and urethra as a functional unit during both the filling and the emptying phases of micturition. A micturition study should not be regarded as an absolute measure of the physiologic activity of the caudal part of the urinary tract. However, it can provide important additional information for clinical assessment when the lower part of the urinary tract is affected by disease, injury, or drugs.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013843:Thiazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects; D014991:Xylazine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013843:Thiazines; D014991:Xylazine