A number of urinary problems can occur in dogs and cats, including conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, ectopic ureter and bladder stones. Urinary incontinence is an indication of a problem.
-
Infections
-
Urinary tract infections, common in female dogs and older cats, cause incontinence. According to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, it is diagnosed through a urine culture and treated with antibiotics.
Water Consumption
-
Pets that consume too much water will also have urinary incontinence. According to Mar Vista, drinking excessive amounts of water could be signs of diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, kidney failure or hyperthyroidism (only in cats). Prompt diagnosis and treatment is important.
Ectopic Ureter
-
According to Pet Education, ectopic ureter is a congenital disorder in dogs that results in urine flowing somewhere other than the bladder. It is corrected by surgical repositioning of the ureter(s) .
Bladder Stones
-
Bladder stones are formed by microscopic crystals of minerals, according to Pet Education. Surgical removal is needed if they are too large or they cannot be dissolved with medication.
Considerations
-
According to Mar Vista, some urinary problems are behavioral, such as submissive urination in dogs or marking territory in cats. Your veterinarian should be able to offer guidance on correcting these problems.
-