Dog Incontinence Treatment
Dog Incontinence Is Usually Due To
A Physical Concern And Not Behavioral
A Physical Problem
Dog incontinence is typically a problem that a dog has no control over. The urine is stored in the bladder and normally when your dog has to relieve himself, the urine moves through the urethra and is then emptied from the body.
When a dog is incontinent, urine trickles from the urethra while the dog is asleep or lying down. Infact most dogs are just as surprised as their owners when they realize what has happened.
What Causes Incontinence?
There are several reasons that can cause your dog to become incontinent. We recommend that you first see your Veterinarian to determine what could be causing the problem, especially if you notice your dog drinking more water. Excessive water intake usually indicates a problem.
Some of the most common reasons are:
- Aging
- Diabetes causes your dog to drink excessively (the urine can be sticky with Diabetes). When you notice your dog drinking large amounts of water, be sure to let the dog out more often and make an appointment with the Vet.
- Spay incontinence sometimes happens after a female has been spayed. Certain breeds such as Doberman's are prone to spay incontinence which can cause leaking.
- Hypothyroidism (read our dog's story here) or any hormonal problem relating to a males testosterone or a females estrogen will affect his/her ability to hold urine.
- Bladder infections which are often accompanied by blood in the urine and an occasional kidney stone, can also cause incontinence.
- If your dog has been on "Prednisone" for any reason, this drug will definitely make your dog urinate more. Many dogs that have been treated with "Prednisone" end up with a bladder infection. Dogs on Prednisone should be let out frequently.
- Dogs with heart problems such as Dilated Cardio Myopathy will also drink large amounts of water. Our Doberman Pinscher was diagnosed with this disease and one symptom was excessive water intake. Again, be sure to let your dog out more often if you notice more water intake and see the Vet asap.
Most Common And Successful Treatment Options For Incontinence In Dogs
- Proin (Phenylpropanolamine/Sudafed)is the most common and effective RX treatment for dog incontinence.
- Tofranil RX
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) RX is an estrogen supplement which is often prescribed for spay incontinence.
- Veterinarians occasionally prescribe Testosterone injections for neutered males who are incontinent due to hormones.
Testosterone injections may cause male dogs to become more aggressive and urine mark their territory.
- For treating dog incontinence naturally, Corn Silk is an herb that works well. It might take several weeks to see results, but it seems to work well for many people. It's available in capsules or liquid form and can be placed directly on the dog's food. Since dosage is according to size and weight, be sure to check into the correct amount needed daily.
- Raw and/or homemade diets prove to be successful for some dog owners. This is not to say that you should run to the store and stock up on raw meat for your best friend. When switching your dog's diet to whole food whether raw or home cooked, there are necessary supplements that must be added back to the diet. We highly recommmend purchasing and reading Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
about all the benefits of a natural diet for your best friend.
- Although it might not help every dog, eliminating grains from a dog's diet has helped others. This means switching to an all natural grain free ultra premium dog food.
- Piddle Pads are available to place underneath your dog
- There is a new Collagen Injection treatment that will hopefully catch on. You can read more here.
There are many options and treatments available for dog incontinence, don't give up!
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