As a dog ages, his ability to control his urine may weaken, along with other functions of the body. There are also illnesses that cause dogs to become incontinent. It is important for an owner to understand that it is not a behavior problem the dog can control. There are a number of remedies that can effectively treat a dog with urinary incontinence, including medication and natural herbs. Physical accommodations also can be made for the dog's comfort.
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Medication
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A trip to the veterinarian will help determine if your dog is incontinent and why. The vet probably will perform tests, which could include blood tests, X-rays and an ultrasound. He will test urine either from a sample you supply or one he takes directly from the dog's bladder. Once urinary incontinence has been established, medication may be prescribed. The most commonly prescribed medication for canine urinary incontinence is Propalin. This drug tightens the animal's sphincter to prevent leakage. Antibiotics may be recommended if the dog has a bladder infection, which also can cause incontinence. Irritation of the genitals is not uncommon for a dog suffering urinary incontinence, and a topical medication may also be prescribed.
Natural Remedies
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Some pet owners prefer to cure their dogs with natural remedies rather than risk the side effects of prescribed medications. According to the Vetinfo website, there are numerous natural treatments that might help a dog with urinary incontinence. For example, tonic herbs such as corn silk, saw palmetto, oatstraw, wild yarn, and plaintain support the muscles of the bladder, making it easier for a dog to control urine flow. Oatstraw and wild yarn also help balance hormones. Other homeopathic remedies that can help soothe a dog's bladder are byronia (for leaking while walking), cantharis (for frequent urges to urinate), caustism (for old age or muscle weakness), equisetum (for an aching bladder), and ferrum phosphoricum (for infections). It is imperative that you check with your veterinarian before administering any type of remedy to your dog to prevent serious side effects.
Physical Accommodations
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As dogs age and lose control over some of their bodily functions, it is possible that incontinence will remain a problem despite medication. However, there are ways to make it easier to deal with a dog's urinary incontinence. Place a bath mat or waterproof pad under where the dog sleeps. This makes it easier to clean up messes as well as provides the dog extra comfort. There are also canine diapers to prevent accidents from happening around the house. If canine diapers are hard to find, some owners use baby diapers and cut holes to accommodate the dog's tail. This will make the dog more comfortable as well as prevent his incontinence from becoming a bigger problem around the house.
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