Dogs, like people, can suffer from fecal incontinence. Put simply, this is when your dog loses control of its bowel movements. There is no single explanation or source generally attributed to canine fecal incontinence. Rather, it could result from one or more circumstances.
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Significance
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Only a vet can check for specific underlying problems that may be related to the incontinence. Fecal incontinence is the specific result of a medical condition that needs to be identified and addressed.
Identification
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You should suspect that your dog has fecal incontinence if it loses control of its bowels during sleep, when eating or passing gas, or when indoors.
Causes
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A dog's incontinence can have a variety of causes, ranging from hip dysplasia and spinal cord problems to canine senility and a weakening sphinchter muscle.
Prevention/Solution
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Ensure your dog gets regular meals of dry dog food twice a day. Take it on regular walks and have it sleep in a kennel with disposable dog pads.
Considerations
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Failing to identify and treat any underlying symptoms of fecal incontinence could be detrimental to your pet's health if a serious medical condition, such as cancer, exists. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.
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