Stress Leak Point Pressures and Urethral Pressure Profile Tests in Clinically Normal Female Dogs

Objective: To develop a stress leak point pressure (LPP) test for dogs, determine LPP for continent female dogs, and determine urethral pressure profile (UPP) values for nonanesthetized, continent female dogs.

Animals: 22 continent female dogs weighing from 21 to 29 kg.

Procedure: A standard UPP test and a modification of the LPP test used in women were performed on all dogs. On 3 occasions, dogs underwent UPP testing while awake. They then were anesthetized with propofol, and LPP was measured at bladder volumes of 75, 100, and 150 ml. For LPP tests, abdominal pressure was applied by inflating a human blood pressure cuff placed around the dog's abdomen. LPP were recorded through a urethral catheter (bladder LPP) and a rectal balloon catheter (abdominal LPP).

Results: Mean +/- SD and median maximal urethral closure pressure was 110.1+/-20.2 and 109.0 cm water, respectively. Mean bladder LPP for the 75, 100, and 150 ml bladder volumes was 172.4 cm water. Significant differences among LPP for the 3 bladder volumes were not detected.

Conclusions: Stress LPP can be recorded in female dogs.