Urinary incontinence occurs when a dog cannot regulate their urinary functions like normal, therefore urinating frequently and without control. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including a lack of housetraining, aging, territorial marking, or urinary tract infection. Many cases can be treated by medication, supplements, and training. In more severe cases, urinary incontinence is caused by birth defects or other debilitating physical ailments. For these incidents, there are forms of surgery that may be viable as a treatment to relieve the incontinence.
-
Ectopic Ureters
-
According to the Los Angeles Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, ectopic ureters occur most often in female dogs and occur when a birth defect causes a malformation of the urinary tract system. In dogs with this condition, their ureters bypass the urinary bladder and connect directly to the urethra or vagina. The result is that urine is not stored before exiting the body, which causes frequent leaking. In dogs with ectopic ureters, there are three different surgery options. The first is a neoureterostomy, in which the excess ureter is removed to allow the opening to dispense into the bladder rather than the urethra. The second is a neoureterocystostomy, in which a new hole is created in the bladder to redirect the ureter through. The third is a nephroureterectomy, in which the entire kidney and offending ureter is removed. This puts the full urinary regulation on the other existing kidney.
Weak Bladder Sphincter
-
Weak Bladder Sphincter occurs when the opening of the bladder that holds in the urine is weak, therefore dispensing urine through into the urethras too easily. According to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, there are several medicinal treatments for this. In cases where medication does not work there are two forms of surgery. Colposuspension is a procedure for female dogs in which the vagina is sewed down onto the urethra, slowing the flow of urine. In male dogs, cystourethropexy can be done which has the same result except uses the ductus deferens instead of the vagina.
Spinal Damage
-
In some severe cases, dogs who have had spinal damage may have a compression of nerves that interrupts the nervous system controlling urinary regulation. Surgery may be needed to correct this debilitating ailment and relieve the pressure on the nerves.
Complications
-
With surgical procedures aimed to resolve urinary incontinence, there are several complications that may arise. Swelling can make the dog more incontinent immediately after surgery until it subsides. Urinating can become more painful for the dog, which is why most veterinarians will use a urinary catheter post-surgery to prevent straining.
Success Rates
-
The success rates of dog incontinence surgery do vary based on the cause of incontinence, however Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles reports that surgery is generally 33 percent to 58 percent successful. In most dogs, vastly improved urinary continence is to be expected after three to five weeks.
-