Dog Urinary Issues: Symptoms and Solutions
Understanding your pooch peeing without control? That's right, we're talking about urinary incontinence in dogs - a frustrating condition that affects canines who can't seem to hold their pee, especially those naughty spayed females. Let's go over what it is, why it occurs, how it differs from other urinary issues, and how to handle it like a pro.
What's the Lowdown on Incontinence?
Incontinence in dogs is a beast no pet parent wants to deal with. Essentially, it's a situation where Fluffy loses voluntary control over urinating, typically seen as drops of pee while lieing down, leaving a wet spot upon standing. Though any doggo can experience it, incontinence mostly strikes middle-aged to senior spayed bitches, and larger breeds are generally more susceptible than their tinier counterparts.
Interestingly, dogs can also suffer from fecal incontinence, but unless Fido has a herniated disc in his spine compressing the spinal cord – causing both fecal and urinary incontinence – these two issues are usually handled separately.
Incontinence vs. Other Urinary Stuff in Dogs
Incontinence isn't your doggo's usual pee problem. Unlike other urinary disorders, a dog wouldn't typically know it's happening and act strangely. But if you notice drops or spots of pee when your pup gets up after lying down, that's usually a sign of incontinence.
On the other paw, a dog dealing with a urinary tract infection (UTI) might exhibit an increased need to pee, pee smaller amounts more frequently, have a strong-smelling pee, strain while peeing, or even have bloody pee.
Urine marking, a problem often seen in unspayed or unneutered dogs, may seem like incontinence, but it's a different ball game.
Signs of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
So, how can you tell if your pup is incontinent? Well, if your dog can pee normally outside, but is dripping pee while resting, it's a red flag. Other signs include excessive licking "back there," brown staining around the vulva, and urine scald – a rash around the vulva due to persistent wetness.
The Scoop on Causes
Urine in a healthy lower urinary tract is kept inside thanks to a tight sphincter in the urethra. Incontinence, however, is usually caused by a failure of this sphincter to keep the pee inside. This condition, called urethral incompetence, is most commonly seen in hormonally affected, middle-aged to older, spayed females.
Other reasons for incontinence include neurological issues, chronic urinary tract infections, birth defects, cancer, prostatic disease in male dogs, and irritation due to foreign objects or stones in the bladder.
Detecting Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
If you spot signs of incontinence in your doggo, consult your veterinarian. They'll run a physical exam, maybe a rectal exam, and a neurological exam to check for any nerve issues. A urinalysis will help determine if your dog has a UTI, in which case your vet may order a urine culture and sensitivity test to find the right antibiotics to treat the bugger.
They might also perform imaging studies like abdominal ultrasounds, abdominal radiographs, or bloodwork to look for anatomical abnormalities. In some cases, if they can't figure out the cause, they might scope the bladder under anesthesia or order special imaging studies.
Incontinence Treatment in Dogs
Luckily, urinary incontinence in dogs is often treatable as an outpatient – no hospital stays needed unless your doggo is ill. Treating infections can solve the problem, and a quick UTI can cost a few hundred bones, unless it's complicated – then it's more expensive.
Medications for Incontinence
If your dog's incontinence is due to a weak urethral sphincter, this condition can be managed, but not cured, with medication. Common medications for incontinence in dogs include phenylpropanolamine, hormone replacement therapy, diethylstilbestrol, leuprolide, and imipramine.
These medications can come in pill or chewable form, or be implanted under the skin. Typically, medication is very effective in managing urinary incontinence caused by urethral incompetence, and your pup will likely stop dripping pee with regular meds.
Surgery for Incontinence
If there's an anatomical urinary obstruction, cancer, prostatic disease, or a neurological problem, surgery might be recommended. Fixing the underlying cause usually resolves the incontinence. In severe neurological trauma cases, though, the incontinence might not fully resolve.
Preventing Incontinence in Dogs
By spaying female dogs early (before they're mature) and avoiding early tail docking, you can decrease their odds of developing hormone-related incontinence in later life, especially in large breeds.
Maintaining a healthy weight for your dog can also reduce their risk of developing incontinence and a plethora of other issues.
So there you have it, folks. Keep an eye out for those pesky incontinence signs, and seek help from your vet if you notice anything odd. With the right treatment, your pup can lead a happy, dry life once more. Happy tail-wagging!
- A dog suffering from urinary incontinence might struggle with mental health issues due to the embarrassment and frustration of the condition.
- Encouraging a balanced lifestyle for dogs, including proper diet, exercise, and mental stimulation, is crucial for maintaining their overall health-and-wellness, including mental health, and potentially reducing the risk of developing incontinence.
