Dog Incontinence Support: What You Need to Know

By February 6, 2022 Behavior Support, Dog Diseases, Dog Health, Dog Nutrition, Supplements for Dogs, Urinary Tract Support 0 Comments

Dog Incontinence Support: What You Need to Know

Dog incontinence support can, for some pet owners, be a stressful and unpleasant daily routine. And dog urine stains popping up all over the house is an issue everyone would want resolved, and the sooner the better.

Many pet owners feel that their dog’s leaking pee or “accidents” are a natural part of aging or a behavior problem. They may even put off seeing their veterinarian to try and improve their dog’s behavior by correcting them when it occurs. Alternatively, owners may attempt to alter or regulate the “accidents” via various training, withholding water or increasing the frequency they are taken outside to pee.

There are many reasons why a dog may develop urine incontinence at some point in their lives. It can affect dogs of any age, although it is more common in dogs in their middle to elderly years. Urinary incontinence can also concern male dogs, but it is more frequent in females.

Today, we’ll go through the issues that lead to urine incontinence in dogs, how to treat it and what the prognosis is.

Table of Contents

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What Is Urinary Incontinence in Dogs?

The involuntary spilling of urine is known as incontinence. If your dog is incontinent, your pet is urinating without even realizing it. This canine incontinence frequently happens in locations where pets rest (such as in their bed or on the sofa). The volume of pee produced is usually average or excessive.

Incontinence can affect elderly dogs of both sexes, although it is significantly more frequent in female dogs. When female dogs are aging, their bladder control might weaken. Urine might readily seep out when the bladder outflow is not entirely closed.

Sphincter mechanism incontinence is the name for this disorder, estimated to be the source of about 80 percent of incontinence instances. Elderly dogs are also prone to forgetting their housetraining. They may leave a moist area where they lie due to this. Again, this is totally beyond your dog’s control, and punishing him for wet patches would not help anybody.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

Urinary incontinence can be caused by several factors.

In young dogs, ectopic ureters are the most prevalent cause of urine incontinence. A ureteral opening at a location other than the typical place in the bladder’s trigone is known as an ectopic ureter. The most prevalent clinical symptom in dogs with ectopic ureters is urinary incontinence, generally detected before one year.

Ectopic ureters should be investigated in any dog with urinary incontinence, especially if the history is unclear. The Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Siberian Husky, Newfoundland and English Bulldog have all been identified as particularly susceptible breeds.

While unilateral ectopic ureter has been reported to be more prevalent, recent research has found that bilateral ectopic ureters are much more common, suggesting that careful urinary tract imaging should be conducted before surgery to have the best clinical outcome. Male canines with ectopic ureters are uncommon and they are frequently asymptomatic.

Other anatomic anomalies that have caused harm or disrupted normal bladder function include congenital deformity, an accident or surgery. Urinary incontinence can be caused by anatomic anomalies such as urethral hypoplasia and vulvar or perivulvar conformation abnormalities.

Spinal injuries, nerve disruption regulating the bladder and brain disorders or lesions are neurological reasons. Abnormal dog bladder control and urinary incontinence can occur if the nerves that regulate the bladder cannot convey their impulses.

The bladder will overflow and spill pee over the mattress if it becomes too large. A urinary catheter is used to remove pee from the bladder in the hospital, but people may also learn to define their dog’s intentions to pee at home.

Bladder hypercontractility, in which the bladder contracts often, resulting in dog leaking urine in tiny volumes, is one kind of bladder storage dysfunction.

Any disorder that pressures the bladder from the outside, such as urinary tract infections or bladder cancers, can also lead to urinary incontinence in dogs.

Urinary leakage may be caused by urethral diseases in which the muscles that shut the urethra do not tighten securely enough. That is one of the most prevalent reasons, and it’s typically linked to a dog peeing in sleep, hormone-responsive urine incontinence, urinary tract infection or inflammation, male dogs’ prostatic illness, and female dogs’ vestibulovaginal abnormality.

When a dog refuses to urinate due to stress, anxiety, or a behavioral aberration, urine retention occurs. The urine leakage occurs when the pressure inside the bladder surpasses the urethral outlet resistance.

Because female dogs do not have a prostate gland, prostate disorders exclusively affect male canines. As the urethra (the tube that transports pee from the body) goes via the prostate, any abnormalities might result in incontinence.

A perineal hernia is a kind of hernia that occurs in the abdomen. It is a rupture near the anus and is more prevalent in males than in female dogs. A perineal hernia can cause the bladder to shift out of place, resulting in incontinence.

Other causes include:

  • An inherited medical condition that manifests at or before birth;
  • Hormonal imbalance;
  • Excessive water consumption (caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing’s disease, diabetes insipidus, and kidney failure);
  • Certain medications, such as corticosteroids;
  • Uroliths (urinary bladder stones).

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

Dripping pee is the most obvious indicator that your dog is incontinent. The leakage may cause irritation and redness on the skin.

You may also notice that your dog touches their penis or vulva more frequently than usual. Consider taking your dog to the vet if you notice these symptoms. The veterinarian will inspect the dog and ask you questions about what you saw. It’s critical to go through everything in depth. This information will assist the veterinarian in establishing an accurate diagnosis.

You should take note of the following observations:

  • Your dog needs to go outdoors more frequently than average;
  • Your dog is drinking more water than usual;
  • You have seen frequent or painful urinating outside;
  • Your dog exhibits any other strange symptoms.

Urinary incontinence may be detected and treated early on, which can help prevent more severe consequences. Urine leaks can lead to infection in the bladder, kidneys, or on the skin of your dog.

Types of Dogs More Likely to Have Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can affect any dog, although it is more common in specific breeds.

Female Dogs

In their middle to late years, spayed female canines are prone to “spay incontinence.” Lower estrogen levels can induce a decrease of muscular tone in the urethra, resulting in this kind of incontinence.

A weak bladder can cause incontinence in rare situations. Incontinence caused by a weak bladder sphincter is known as Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI) by your veterinarian. It is the most prevalent cause of urine incontinence in spayed female dogs.

Older Dogs

Bladder leaks are a typical occurrence in senior dogs. That is because the urethral muscles are no longer as powerful as they once were. Your dog’s ability to hold in pee may deteriorate as they get older.

When dogs are old or middle-aged, incontinence is common. USMI is hypothesized to be influenced by several things:

  • Changes in vaginal support structures;
  • Abnormal bladder placement;
  • Estrogen shortage or decrease;
  • Genetics;
  • Obesity.

Susceptible Breeds

Some dog breeds, like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, English Springer Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Weimaraners, Old English Sheepdogs, Dalmatians, Bearded Collies, and Collies, are more prone to urine incontinence.

How Do You Know if Your Dog Has Incontinence?

A different issue may cause other disorders in dogs that appear to be incontinence. The majority of incontinence cases are voluntary urinations in which the pet is aware but loses control.

Submissive urination, also known as excitation urination: A voluntary urine with a behavioral component. Submissive urination usually consists of a bit of pee and only occurs when your dog is near a human or is enthusiastic about an event.

Lack of regular and positive housetraining: Some dogs have not been consistently and positively trained to eliminate in suitable locations. That may appear to be a typical amount of pee, and it usually occurs near a door or anywhere else than where your dog eats, sleep, or play.

Changes in cognition: As dogs get older, they may lose their capacity to detect suitable urination locations. You can find an average amount of pee in every room in the house.

Pain can sometimes contribute to inappropriate elimination, as some pets struggle to posture or physically relocate to the proper spot. As they try to make their way outdoors, your dog may appear to be dribbling pee.

How Is Urethral Incontinence Diagnosed?

Clinical symptoms, medical history, and blood and urine tests identify urethral incontinence. Ultrasonography and bladder radiographs (X-rays) are frequently used to look for bladder stones or other abnormalities that impact urine storage and outflow.

If a neurological issue is suspected, your vet will propose neurological testing such as anal and tail tone, perineal sensation, and different spinal reflexes.

If urine retention is noted, urethral catheterization may be indicated. That establishes whether or not there is a urethral blockage or other urethral abnormalities.

Your veterinarian may be able to spot an abnormality within the bladder or urethra using a cystoscopy. Specialized testing, such as monitoring the pressure within the bladder, may be required in some circumstances.

How Is Urethral Incontinence Treated?

Incontinence in dogs can be helped with some medical methods. The good news is that these therapies are 100 percent effective in most situations. So, if you’re worried that your senior dog is having an incontinence issue, consult your veterinarian.

Vets will perform a thorough examination and perhaps collect and test a urine sample. That will aid them in determining whether any underlying illnesses, such as a urinary tract infection, are exacerbating the problem.

Once infections, renal disease, diabetes and other conditions that urge high water consumption have been checked out, they’ll know what to do. When treating a dog for incontinence, it’s critical to address the underlying problem.

A dog with a hormonal imbalance will require a different type of treatment than a dog with an infection or disease. That’s why it’s critical to contact your veterinarian as soon as you see a problem.

Many veterinarians will use dog incontinence treatment containing medicine or hormone supplements unless there is an underlying condition or the incontinence isn’t severe.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical techniques may be the only option in some circumstances. Although several treatments may be necessary to address the entire issue, most operations strengthen the bladder neck muscles.

That can be accomplished using a “urethral occluder,” collagen injections around the sphincter muscles, or “tacking” the bladder into a more functional posture. However, not all therapies provide a lasting solution, which is why most veterinarians will only resort to surgery after exhausting all other options.

Other Ways to Help Your Incontinent Dog

Treatment can take a long time and there is never a 100 percent certainty that the condition will go away. Consequently, many dog owners consider incontinence to be “just one of those things” — an ongoing issue that they’ll have to deal with now and then.

There is a variety of solutions available to help incontinent pets and their owners live more comfortably. Absorbent bedding, for example. It’s more sanitary, simpler to clean, and causes minor discomfort to your dog since it draws urine away from their skin. Incontinence pads for dogs are also available. Changes in behavior will also make an impact.

Every morning, make it a point to wash and dry your dog’s hind legs to remove any signs of urine and discomfort. Also, offer your dog as many opportunities to relieve themselves as possible by taking them outside as often as feasible.

However, and this is critical, never try to reduce your dog’s water consumption to address incontinence! Excessive drinking is unlikely to be the cause of your dog’s incontinence unless there is an underlying medical condition. They’ll always need enough water to drink, so depriving them of it might lead to dehydration and a variety of significant health problems that could make them very sick.

What Is the Prognosis for Urethral Incontinence?

While the prognosis is dependent on the exact reason, it is generally favorable. Urine leakage can be controlled differently depending on the dog. Still, most dogs can be effectively managed with drugs, lifestyle adjustments such as more frequent visits outdoors to pee, and close monitoring.

The Takeaway

Many owners dread the worst when their house pet develops urine incontinence. Assumptions that incontinence indicates senility or irreversible age-related changes may result in a delay in seeking medical help, relegating the pet to an outdoor existence, or even death.

Actually, urine incontinence is one of the most simple problems to resolve. Therefore it’s critical to seek veterinarian help before an owner’s tolerance runs out and final decisions concerning the pet’s future become necessary.

If you’re finding more wet areas of pee on your dog’s bedding, a poor odor or red / irritated skin, you should be mindful of everything we’ve discussed thus far. Keep an eye on your dog’s health and get advice from your veterinarian about all the options related to the dog incontinence medication.

Nutrition Strength Dog Incontinence Support

Nutrition Strength Dog Incontinence Support

Check out our Nutrition Strength Dog Incontinence Support here.

Nutrition Strength’s Dog Incontinence Support, Supplement for Dog Bladder Health, Organic Support for Dogs Leaking Urine, Promotes Dog Bladder Control provides a holistic solution to help with urinary incontinence in dogs and promote bladder health. Urinary leakage often occurs in spayed and elderly dogs.

Our tasty canine incontinence tablets are specially made with the ingredients needed to help your pets by:

  • Supplying cranberry and a blend of organic ingredients which promote urinary tract health.
  • Delivering the right blend of organic ingredients which work together to help maintain bladder control.
  • Providing organic marshmallow root and astragalus which help clean toxin build-ups from the urinary tract.
  • Furnishing organic licorice, nettle seed and d-mannose in the right ratio to help detox the kidneys.
  • Helping to manage urine leakage by working to strengthen weakened muscles in the bladder and sphincter.

Our dog incontinence formula supplies the organic ingredients the organism uses to keep a dog’s kidneys and bladder healthy and functioning at their optimum for more comfortable urination.

Used daily, our supplement for dogs leaking urine can help strengthen your four-legged friend’s bladder wall and facilitate bladder emptying.

Image source: Wikimedia / humboldthead.

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