Incontinence is when a dog is unable to hold urine. The dog may urinate a little or a lot. The dog may urinate when asleep or while walking around, or have a sudden need to go. All of these are signs that the dog needs to see a vet. Incontinence can happen to all breeds of dogs and both genders.
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Age
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Incontinence tends to happen mostly to very young puppies that haven't learned muscle control or to senior dogs that have lost muscle tone.
Breed
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Some breeds, such as the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, are very difficult to housebreak, so incontinence could be part of their genetic make-up. Sudden incontinence can be a sign of spinal damage to long-backed dogs like dachshunds.
Considerations
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If the dog is a spayed female that urinates in her sleep, this can be easily treated with inexpensive synthetic hormones available from a vet. According to Marty Smith, D.V.M., urinary incontinence rarely happens to spayed female dogs.
Products
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There are many products available to make cleaning up after incontinent dogs much easier. These include dog diapers, disposable pet wipes and dog beds with removable plastic covers (see Resources).
Other Causes
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According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," urinary incontinence can also be caused by birth defects, neurological problems or kidney failure. Sudden diarrhea is often a sign of infection or poison.
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