Canine bladder leakage can occur for a number of reasons. This can signal the onset of physical concerns that an owner will want to address. Female Dalmatians who are older are more likely to display bladder leakage than male dogs or young females. This condition can occur in Dalmatians of any age, though, and can have several causes.
-
Bladder Leakage
-
Bladder leakage is the involuntary action of eliminating urine from the body. This act often occurs without the knowledge of the Dalmatian. This is not to be confused with a bladder infection. An infection is more likely to cause frequent urination or submissive urination, which is a voluntary action. Bladder leakage is completely uncontrolled by the dog. This is also known as urinary incontinence and can occur because of a physical abnormality or as part of the aging process.
Diagnosing
-
A veterinarian is needed to properly diagnose canine bladder leakage in Dalmatians. The veterinarian will evaluate the dog and check for any physical ailments that may be causing this problem. Blood tests will help the veterinarian check for hormone changes in the dog that may cause bladder leakage. Other concerns may include infection or blockages. If no problems are found and the dog is older, the bladder leakage may be because the muscles that hold in the urine are beginning to weaken.
Treatment
-
If an infection is found to be causing the incontinence in the Dalmatian, then antibiotics will be administered to correct this infection. The symptom of bladder leakage will decrease and be self-limiting in nature, eventually going away after the infection is gone. If a blockage is causing the bladder leakage, the dog will need to undergo surgery. A total blockage can be fatal, so this is considered an emergency surgery. If hormones are the cause of the condition, then the dog may be placed on hormone medication to bring her hormones back to the levels they are supposed to be. This is especially true for dogs who have recently given birth or who have recently been de-sexed. Dogs who are incontinent because of age may not be suitable for any treatment.
Older Dogs
-
Older dogs are often not offered any medical intervention to stop the bladder leakage. For the owners of these dogs, there are a couple options. The first is to use a dog diaper. This is a diaper that covers the urinary and often butt of the dog and prevents the dog from getting urine everywhere. This option does require some observation and, like with children, the diaper needs to be changed frequently. The dog should also be allowed time without the diaper for proper urination. Another idea for owners of Dalmatians with bladder leakage is to use a potty pad on their bedding and resting areas. This pad is a thin sheet of absorbent material that was originally developed to help train puppies, but it can be effectively used to protect furniture and bedding.
Involuntary
-
Bladder leakage is not a voluntary action. The Dalmatian often has no idea that she is leaking urine. The dog should not be punished for the accidents and messes that this condition causes. Older dogs may often feel bad once they discover a spot of their urine and it is up to the owner to reassure the dog that she did nothing wrong. Caring for an older or sick dog is very frustrating and time-consuming, but it is important to remember not to place blame on the dog or take out the frustration on the dog.
-