Dogs are usually such adjusting pets that they will wait for as long as necessary till they are let out to "go" in the garden. So it's a shock to be confronted by canine incontinence. You may find that your pet has started urinating in his sleep or even as he walks around. This is not an ordinary wake-up call but a red flag and should alert you to the possibility that your pet has contracted a bladder infection.
Here are some symptoms to look for:
Your pet may have excessive thirst;
He or she may begin to leak urine around the house;
If the dog will be in obvious pain while urinating.
Canine bladder infections must be treated as soon as possible. Usually a three-week-long course of antibiotics can take care of the infection. If it is ignored, a bladder infection can have potentially serious consequences, such as permanent bladder damage and incontinence.
However, urinary infections are not the only cause of canine urinary incontinence. Other problems that can cause dogs to constantly dribble urine include diabetes in which urine output significantly increases, bladder stones, hormonal disorders, neurological illnesses, and kidney problems.
Vets use a variety of tests to determine the cause of incontinence including urinalysis and other lab tests. You will need to take a sample of fresh urine from your pet, which is then cultured in a laboratory and analysed for bacteria. If the tests are positive for infection then antibiotic treatment follows. However, if the tests find no sign of infection, then the causes of incontinence must be examined further.
The next step would be to determine what could be done to prevent incontinence and help the dog. If the problems are because the dog cannot leave the house whenever he needs to urinate, the solution is a simple one. Sometimes, the dog may dribble urine because he is excited or upset. Training and attention may help to sort out this issue.
Neurological causes may be the cause of incontinence, as when the nerves connected to the bladder are not functioning well. This situation will need further investigation, and may be curable with medication. Finally, if nothing else, vets may examine what the dogs are ingesting - water, medications, and so on, that could play a part.
Medical treatments for incontinence
Vets have to resort to using hormones and decongestants when they cannot pinpoint causes of incontinence. DES (diethylstilbestrol) a man-made form of estrogen is usually prescribed for spayed female dogs. Owners must look out for signs of anemia in such dogs. Natural hormonal supplements and ovarian products can be substituted in such cases.
The decongestant PPA, often called Proin is useful when your pet suffers only from occasional accidents. It helps by tightening the sphincter muscle of the bladder, but can have fatal side effects if your pet has circulatory problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. Other side effects may be increased heart rate, difficulty in urination, bloodless gums, and weakness. There is the potential for seizures to occur.
In some difficult cases of incontinence, the two treatments can be combined. Occasionally, Imipramine, (an antidepressant called Tofranil) may be prescribed along with PPA to help with retention of urine in cases that do not respond to the other medications.
Those caregivers of pets who have had no luck with these man-made chemical treatments can look for alternative in natural medicine. Herbal and homeopathic supplements work to set the dog's health right as a whole, curing illnesses and creating and maintaining a healthy balance in the body.
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