In particular we review the incidence of urinary tract infection after injury. We summarize what is known about the natural recovery of urinary and fecal continence in dogs after spinal cord injury. We then present the bladder and gastrointestinal clinical signs associated with sacral lesions (i.e., the L7-S3 spinal cord segments and nerves) and supra-sacral lesions (i.e., cranial to the L7 spinal cord segment), largely in the context of intervertebral disc herniation. In this review, we propose to briefly remind the reader the physiology of micturition and defecation in dogs. The management of these disabilities is all the more challenging that the autonomic nervous system physiology is a complex topic. Nevertheless, it is crucial to maintain a high degree of awareness of the impact of micturition and defecation disturbances on the animal's condition, welfare and on the owner. The bladder and gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by lesions of the autonomic system can be difficult to recognize, interpret and are easily overlooked. Spinal cord injury in companion dogs can lead to urinary and fecal incontinence or retention, depending on the severity, and localization of the lesion along the canine nervous system.
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