Addison's disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the adrenal gland. This treatable disease is uncommon, but Westies are a breed more likely to develop Addison's. Addison's is a serious disease and requires lifelong treatment, and sometimes a dog that you have trained to "go outside" may experience incontinence.
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Adjustment Period
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The medications a dog takes for Addison's may cause it to drink excessively and urinate more frequently. Talk to your vet about how to manage your dog's medication levels.
Note: Never withhold water from your dog, no matter how much you think it affects its incontinence.
Electrolytes
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For some dogs, you must manage the correct levels of electrolytes by a class of medications called "mineralocorticoids." If a Westie with Addison's is incontinent for a few days, it is a good idea to have the electrolytes checked by your vet.
Glucocorticoids
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Most dogs with Addison's take a glucocorticoid like prednisone or hydrocortisone. When a dog is getting too much, it will become excessively thirsty and will need to urinate more frequently. If you're not sure how to manage your dog's glucocorticoid levels, talk to your vet.
Urinary Tract Infection
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Since Addison's disease is an autoimmune disorder, dogs with it are prone to other types of infections and allergies. Your vet may want to check for a UTI.
Hypothyroidism or Diabetes
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Often dogs with Addison's disease will develop hypothyroidism or diabetes. Both of these conditions can cause urinary incontinence.
Aging Dog
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Senior dogs often lose muscle strength, which can make it difficult for them to hold their urine or bowel movement. Often these dogs will go the bathroom in their bed at night or while napping. The best way to handle this is with patience and to simply clean it up without making the dog feel worse than it does.
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