Urinary incontinence in dogs

Overview

You've noticed wet spots in your perfectly housebroken two-year old retriever's bed when she gets up in the morning. Or perhaps your elderly Cocker Spaniel dribbles urine especially when she's excited. You know it's not her fault, but cleaning up after all those "accidents" is stressing you out. After all, you can't return her just because she leaks!

Soiling in inappropriate places or dribbling urine can mean that your dog has lost bladder control, otherwise known as urinary incontinence. An estimated 2 million female dogs between the ages of 6 and 10, in the United States alone, are affected by this condition. Although spayed Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers and Old English Sheepdogs are more likely to be incontinent than other breeds, it can occur in dogs of all ages and breeds, male and female.

Causes

If your pet is affected by urinary incontinence, it is important that you bring him or her to the veterinarian to determine what is causing the condition. Incontinence may be the result of an injury or infection, and in some dogs it can be caused by displacement of the bladder. In the latter case, surgery may be required to move it to a more normal position. When seen in older pets, however, incontinence is most often a natural part of aging, and might occur when your elderly pet is excited or simply when he gets up and down.

Treatment

There is no cure for incontinence, but there is medication available to help manage the symptoms. In some cases, the condition is alleviated with hormone therapy. You may also want to ask your pet's vet if Propalin can help. Available in tablet or syrup form, this drug's active ingredient, phenylpropanolmine, works to strengthen the muscles at the neck of the bladder that control the flow of urine.

In addition to working with your veterinarian on a treatment protocol, the following tips can make life a little easier for you and your incontinent pet:

• Be sure to take your dog out more frequently, particularly in the morning and when she's woken up from a nap
• Canine-sized diapers are available that can help prevent messes in the home
• Cover your dog's favorite sleeping spot with old blankets and towels that can easily be laundered. You may also want to put a waterproof pad under your dog's bedding, just in case.
• In the initial stages of treatment, you may need to confine your canine to an area of the house that can be cleaned easily. Laundry rooms are a particularly cozy (and warm!) option.
• Although you may be tempted to limit your pet's water intake, be sure to ask your vet first as this may not be recommended

And finally, as a responsible pet owner, you'll want to regularly monitor the situation with your veterinarian, especially if your special friend is a senior citizen.