Geriatric canine incontinence is a medical condition that affects older dogs and causes accidents, such as urinating before making it outside. Fortunately, treatments are available for dogs suffering from the disorder.
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Cause
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Geriatric canine incontinence occurs as a natural part of aging because of a weakening of the muscle that keeps urine contained in the bladder, explains Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.
Diagnosis
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To diagnose geriatric canine incontinence, veterinarians typically examine a urine sample for the presence of bacteria or any other signs of infection or disease. Veterinarians may also ask questions about a dog's behavior to rule out any other possible causes of incontinence, such as anxiety.
Medicinal Treatments
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Veterinarians may prescribe estrogen supplements for female dogs or testosterone hormone supplements for male dogs with geriatric canine incontinence. Although their method of action is not understood, hormone supplements often stop accidents. Other possible medicinal treatments include phenylpropanolamine and lueprolide.
Other Treatments
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When medications do not relieve symptoms of geriatric canine incontinence, veterinarians may perform surgery to strengthen the bladder muscles. If surgery fails as well, pet owners may need to rely on special diapers for dogs to deal with accidents.
Considerations
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Because incontinence issues in dogs can have more serious causes like infections, spinal cord disease, diabetes or kidney failure, never assume that your older dog's accidents are caused by geriatric canine incontinence, cautions Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Always report incontinence issues with your dog's veterinarian.
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