If you notice your dog dribbling urine, urinating in inappropriate places, urinating in his sleep or otherwise unable to control his urination, he could be incontinent. However, many conditions will cause symptoms similar to incontinence, but are quite treatable. Talk to your vet about your dog's issues for the best course of treatment.
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Causes
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Some dogs are born with a birth defect that causes incontinence. The most common birth defect is ectopic ureter, which causes puppies to drip urine. Siberian Huskies are most often affected. In addition, older dogs can become incontinent. The muscles that hold the urine in the bladder may weaken, or some dogs will become senile and unaware that they are dripping urine.
Diagnosis
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Your vet will likely collect a urine sample and run a bacterial culture to test for infection. Other factors that can help determine whether or not your dog is truly incontinent include age, previous surgeries, medications, how much water the dog drinks, other symptoms (such as neurological symptoms or weakness), and whether or not the dog can urinate normally. Blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds can also be used to help with the diagnosis.
Treatment
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For puppies born with an ectopic ureter, surgery can correct the condition. Training can help correct the habits of dogs who are urinating inappropriately because of a behavioral issue. Some vets will recommend drug therapy for incontinence. Estrogen, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine can help increase the tone of the muscles that hold the urine in the bladder, according to Washington State University.
Other conditions
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Dog owners might confuse incontinence with diseases that cause the dog to urinate frequently, or even with submissive urination. According to Washington State University, "Submissive urination occurs when a dog is acting submissive to a person or to another dog." If this is the case, a dog will often roll on its back and urinate. Bladder infections also cause a strong urge to urinate, resulting in the dog urinating in abnormal locations or very frequently. This is not incontinence because the dog knows he is urinating. Dogs suffering from partial blockage of the urethra (from a tumor or stone) cannot empty their bladder completely. The bladder can get so large (from urine building up) that some may leak around the blockage, which will appear as incontinence.
Caring for Your Incontinent Dog
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If your dog is diagnosed as truly incontinent, ask your vet about the severity and what you will need to care for your dog. Some dogs--for example, those with a spinal chord injury or those that are senile--might need to wear a diaper. Some may even require manual bowel and bladder emptying. Your vet will teach you how to perform these procedures, if necessary. You will likely need to assist your dog every four to six hours, as leaving a dirty diaper on will increase the chances of infection. You might want to shave the fur around the dog's genitals to help keep the area clean and clear of irritation.
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