Involuntary Urination in Dogs

Canine urinary incontinence refers to involuntary urination in dogs. Involuntary urination is often confused with frequent urination---in which the dog can control urination but experiences the urge to urinate often---and submissive urination, in which the dog urinates impulsively in the presence of people or other pets. Causes of urinary incontinence include bladder infections, abnormalities of the urethra, neurological disorders and spinal cord injuries. The most common cause of urinary incontinence is urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence.

  1. Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence

    • Siberian Huskies are often afflicted with ectopic ureter(s).

      A ureter is the part of the body that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence, also known as ectopic ureter(s), occurs when one or both ureters are not connected to the bladder, but to the urethra, vagina or some other abnormal location. Ectopic ureter(s) is a birth defect affecting 81 percent of female dogs and 57 percent of all dogs with urinary incontinence. Breeds most commonly affected include the Siberian Husky, Miniature Poodle, Welsh Corgi and Labrador Retriever, in addition to some Collie and Terrier breeds. Ectopic ureters can be treated with drug therapy or surgically corrected.

    Bladder Infections

    • A bladder infection is typically the first thing a veterinarian will check for in a dog with urinary incontinence. Bladder infections are easily diagnosed by testing the urine for infectious crystals. Bladder infections are treated with non-invasive drug therapy.

    Urinary Blockages

    • If the urine test is negative--meaning no crystals are detected--the next step is to check for a urinary blockage. A urinary blockage refers to the urethra being blocked, either partially or completely, by a stone or tumorous mass. When the urethra is blocked, the dog is unable to empty the bladder though the bladder continues to fill, resulting in urinary leakage. While a partial blockage can be treated with drug therapy, meant to remove the mass gradually, a complete blockage is typically removed surgically. A complete blockage that goes untreated is fatal in three to four days.

    Neurological and Spinal Cord Diseases

    • Neurological or spinal cord diseases affect the nervous system, which in turn affects bladder function. When muscles surrounding the bladder become weak or lose control, involuntary urination is a common result. Fortunately, weakened muscles can be strengthened with non-invasive drug therapy. The most common drug used to treat urinary incontinence is Phenylpropanolamine.

    Proin (PPA)

    • Phenylpropanolamine, often referred to as Proin or PPA, is a non-hormonal sympathomimetic agent able to increase sphincter tone and thus alleviate the symptoms of urinary incontinence. In addition, PPA stimulates the alpha adrenergic receptors, resulting in the strengthening of urethra muscles. While PPA is by no means a cure for urinary incontinence, it can provide lifelong relief from the embarrassment and discomfort of involuntary urination.