Signs of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

Canine urinary incontinence means a dog has no control over the flow of urine and has involuntary urine accidents. Excessive drinking of water is one signs of urinary incontinence, which can be caused by a weak bladder or bladder infection, among other causes. Prescribed medications can treat a dog with urinary incontinence; surgery is also an option to treat more serious cases.

  1. Excessive Water Consumption

    • If you've notice your pet uncharacteristically drinking large amounts of water, you should consult a veterinarian and have him run a set of diagnostic tests to see if your dog may have a condition that could lead to incontinence. Other possible causes of excessive water consumption could be kidney failure, Cushing's syndrome or diabetes mellitus. If your dog has been drinking a lot of water and losing weight, it may be possible that your dog has diabetes mellitus.

    Unusual Accidents

    • If your dog has been having unusual accidents in the household, it may not be a behavioral problem. Normally, if a dog has a weak bladder, it could be the direct result of aging or obesity. Taking your dog to the vet would be the first step. Using dog diapers is an option in the meantime.

    Bladder Infection

    • Bladder infection is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in dogs. White blood cells and bacteria will normally show in urine if the dog has a bladder infection.

    Treatment

    • Before treatment can begin, a set of diagnostic tests need to take place to determine the cause of incontinence. Diagnostic tests include: a physical examination---including evaluation of the prostate gland (in male dogs), palpation of the abdomen, vaginal examination (in female dogs) and rectal examination--- urinalysis (examining the urine for presence of bacteria, white blood cells and red blood cells), abdominal x-rays and contrast dye studies, which evaluate for congenital disorders. Treatment for incontinence depends on the cause. The different treatments could include hormone therapy, propantheline (a muscle relaxer) or insertion of a cystostomy tube. Collagen injection is one of the newest therapies that may treat urinary incontinence.