Involuntary urination in dogs treatment. Urinary Incontinence in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Urinary incontinence in a dog, despite the frequent opinion that this is a sign of poor training, is a symptom of disorders and serious pathologies. In some cases, this is a feature of the pet's character or a temporary phenomenon. This is an unpleasant phenomenon that delivers negativity to the owner of the animal. Even if you temporarily move the dog outside, this will not solve the problem, but only delay the solution of all problems. It is necessary to visit a veterinarian to understand the reason (the nature of the pet, a violation of the urinary system). What to do if the dog has urinary incontinence, what measures to take?

Unbearable character or pathology

If you notice that the dog is urinating in the room, then you need to pay attention to how he does it. With pathological incontinence, the pet experiences pain, she has frequent urges. This may be a sign of an oncological tumor, an inflammatory process in the bladder or ureters, kidney stones. The amount of urine decreases, and the urge increases, the dog sits down, but urination does not work.

In behavioral situations, a pet's urine can be released in portions when he sees the owner or is stroked, meets other pets. This is an instinctive sign of obedience. Often, in addition to this sign, the dog uses a fall on its back or sitting on its paws. The same mechanism works as with the habit of marking the territory. With a behavioral instinct, the dog easily controls the ongoing process. In the inflammatory process, urination does not depend on the desire of the pet.

The process of normal urination

Urine is formed in the renal corpuscles, accumulates in the renal pelvis, then it travels all the way to the bladder. The process is continuous and repeats every 20 seconds. Fluid accumulates and does not flow out of the bladder, being held by the sphincter.

As soon as the signal from the brain passes, the sphincter relaxes in the pet and urine flows out of the bladder. The process is repeated again with a new filling.

Why does a dog have urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence in pets can occur due to several reasons. Real incontinence. This is a situation where there is constant leakage or involuntary discharge.

Emotional stress. With strong emotions (joy, fear), the animal makes a puddle.
Natural impurity. The dog was not taught and raised properly in time, so she simply does not know how to ask to go to the toilet correctly.
Label of the nearby territory. This is inherent in nature and often animals that are not sterilized mark the space around them.
Incontinence associated with aging. His reflexes are weakened.
Intentional urination indoors. It is done to spite the owner for his own reasons, in order to annoy his owner.
Urinary incontinence as a sign of pathology

Uncontrolled urination in dogs can be a sign of inflammation. Be sure to identify the causes of the disease with the help of diagnostics. But the prerequisites for this phenomenon are difficult to identify, and even diagnosis occurs by exclusion.

In order to correctly diagnose the disease, you should explain to the doctor all the features of the dog's regimen, nutrition, cases that happened to her. The more information the owner gives, the easier it will be to understand this pathology or temporary condition of the animal.

Inflammation of the bladder

To identify it, it is necessary to pass the urine of the animal for analysis. Often the cause of urine leakage in cystitis. If the inflammatory process is very strong, then the dog has urinary incontinence during sleep is not excluded.

Two main factors cause cystitis: a strong cooling of the body and an infectious lesion of the genitourinary system. It should be treated with a course of antibiotics, a noticeable improvement occurs on the 4th day after taking the medication. If there is no treatment, then urination begins with an admixture of blood, the dog whines in pain, and there are difficulties in excreting urine.

Advice: You should not drown out the symptoms by taking several pills, you must go through the entire course of treatment.

With incomplete cure of the inflammatory process, the disease returns in 60% of cases, and a repeated course of antibiotics does not give a good effective result.

Polydipsia

Due to constant thirst, the animal exceeds the amount of liquid consumed. In female dogs, this is a symptom in which the owner must urgently take the pet for an ultrasound scan. In case of untimely treatment, it may be necessary to remove the uterus. Do not self-medicate, take your dog to the veterinarian to prescribe treatment for the pet. Constant thirst in a dog often indicates the development of diabetes mellitus, serious problems with genitourinary function and blood vessels, and kidney problems.

Spinal injury

Urinary incontinence can occur when nerve fibers are pinched or when the spinal cord is injured. Pain is poorly controlled and incontinence often depends on the anatomy of the dog. Dachshunds and other breeds with a long spine often experience problems with stool and incontinence after injury. This predisposition is especially strong at the age when the dog is aging.

Pinched nerve endings

This phenomenon often occurs during childbirth or after them. The limbs of the dog become numb and painful. The bitch refuses puppies. Diagnosis of the disease occurs only after a comprehensive study of the pet. There are several ways to treat, in extreme cases, the doctor prescribes surgery.

nerve disorder

Occurs due to stressful situations, due to fear. Doctors recommend therapy with sedatives, which have a relaxing effect on the dog's muscles.

Congenital pathologies

Incontinence may be a sign of ectopia. In this disease, the ureter is immediately connected to the intestine or vagina, urine bypasses the bladder. Often seen in dogs born with one kidney. Usually detected at an early age. It is treated only by surgery.

Weak urethral muscles can be the cause of incontinence. Pathology develops due to a decrease in the sensitivity of the sphincter. In addition, overweight, the age of the pet, and hormonal medications can affect urinary incontinence.

Important: If there is constant wetting on the hind legs and under the tail of the dog, then it is urgent to take the dog to the veterinary clinic.

Sterilization and its side effects

There are two types of operations aimed at stopping the reproductive function. When a bitch is spayed, she is left with a uterus and ovaries, and castration threatens to remove all the reproductive organs of the animal.

Doctors note that the complication in the form of urine leakage after castration is less common than with sterilization. It is easier to control exposure to hormonal drugs. Why are sterilization and incontinence related? Doctors do not find a single answer to this question. According to the generally accepted opinion, the hormonal background, which changes after surgery, negatively affects the sensitivity of the sphincter and muscles.

The doctor after diagnosing prescribes one of the methods of treatment:

Hormonal drugs for urinary incontinence in dogs
Endoscopic punctures and the introduction of a special probe into the abdominal cavity. Watching through a camera, the doctor injects drugs into the urethra and bladder. This is a more gentle effect on the body than abdominal surgery. In addition, the introduction of a probe through a puncture has less negative impact on the pet's body. The dog recovers much faster after endoscopy.
Hollow operation. The doctor acts on muscle recovery by doing suturing of the musculature by injecting collagen fibers. Sometimes the doctor will change the position of the bladder.

Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

The course of treatment prescribed by your veterinarian depends on the cause of the incontinence.

It is often recommended to take a course of hormonal medications.
For inflammation, doctors prescribe antibiotic treatment for a week.
In case of incontinence after stressful situations, the doctor prescribes sedatives to the pet.
If the animal is sterilized and itself cannot control the process of urinary incontinence, then doctors prescribe a constant intake of proline until the end of life.

Most drugs are very strong on the pet's body, causing many side effects. They are prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor. If the incontinence is due to a spinal injury with spinal cord injury, then it will not be easy to return the dog to a full existence. Incontinence will be cured only when all the consequences of the injury, including prostatitis, are completely eliminated.

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An adult dog must endure and learn to ask to go outside. But, voluntary urination can be a behavioral anomaly in the relationship between the owner and the dog. Sometimes the animal makes a puddle to spite the owner.

Determining the cause of urinary incontinence allows you to choose an effective treatment that can save the owner and the dog from trouble.

If there is a yard and the possibility of equipping an insulated kennel, it may seem that the problem is solved easily. But a change of residence will finish off a sick dog. The decision to contact a veterinarian in this situation seems to be the only correct one.

The reasons

Distinguish between pathological urinary incontinence and anomalies in the character of the dog. Among the indisputable reasons are the following:

Cystitis. It occurs due to hypothermia or infection of the urinary bladder.
Paresis of the sphincter of the bladder.
Inflammation of the urinary tract.
Obesity.
Old age.
Congenital anomaly of the structure of the ureters. They flow into the rectum or vagina, bypassing the bladder.
Sterilization. It is caused by a change in the concentration of hormones.
Injury to the spine or spinal cord.
Oncological disease.
Mental disorder.
Polydipsia. Excess water consumption. It is a symptom of the following diseases:

Purulent inflammation of the uterus.
Diabetes.
Hypercortisolism - increased secretion of pituitary hormones.
Renal failure.

If urinary incontinence is caused by a disease, then paruria (soreness) or pollakiuria (increased urge) occurs. The dog sits down for a excretory action, but it does not occur.

Behavioral urination is manifested when marking the territory during the rut, as well as to greet the leader of the pack in the face of the owner. Similar behavior is manifested in relation to other members of the pack, which the dog obeys. In the latter case, the dog can control the process.

If the dog makes puddles to spite the owner, there are two options for correcting: patient education or sterilization. Enuresis during the first estrus does not require treatment. A young bitch should be taken out for a walk more often and not scolded.

Diagnostics

Establishing the causes of enuresis requires studying the anamnesis, standard and biochemical analyzes of urine and blood, and specific studies. In most situations, it will be necessary to exclude diseases that are similar in symptoms. Polydipsia requires ultrasound.

If the diagnosis is difficult, they examine the vagina, rectum, urography with a contrast agent. If there is a suspicion of behavioral enuresis, a neurological examination is performed.

Treatment

Timely appeal for veterinary help eliminates enuresis in 70% of cases. In obese, old and

Many dog owners face such a problem as urinary incontinence in their pets. Causes of urinary incontinence in a dog can be varied and can often be corrected by contacting a veterinarian. Everything you need to know about this violation will be described below.

Many believe that involuntary urination occurs in older animals. However, this is not true. Even a young dog can suffer from this disorder.

It is worth noting that urinary incontinence in animals is a sign of a disease, and not an independent pathology. Therefore, such a phenomenon should be treated with caution, as it may turn out that your pet is seriously ill.

Incontinence develops for a number of reasons and does not depend on breed, age or sex. According to statistics, the risk group includes:

females of large species;
representatives of such breeds as setter, doberman pinscher, poodle, collie and airedale terrier;
dogs with a nervous temperament (choleric or sanguine). These dogs are characterized by mild excitability and mobility.

But the propensity does not mean that the dogs listed above will definitely incontinence. To understand whether the treatment will be effective, it is necessary to find out why involuntary urination occurs.

Video "Incontinence in Pets"

In this video, a qualified veterinarian will talk about the causes of urinary incontinence in animals, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Main reasons

Urinary incontinence in domestic dogs can occur for a variety of reasons, which can be roughly divided into three categories:

behavioral or natural;
pathological;
result of surgery.

Behavioral

A male or female can empty their bladder involuntarily in the following situations:

if the animals are old - incontinence is due to the physiological relaxation of the sphincter (muscle weakness);
the animal has experienced a strong emotional shock (joy, fear, pain) or stress;
instinctive selection. Males thus demonstrate their dignity;
marking your territory. Usually the corners in the house suffer from this;
"for evil" to the owner.

In such situations, the pet may “leak” and this will be a completely normal reaction of the body. It does not require treatment. All you need is patience and proper education. In some situations, sterilization will help solve the problem. Only in the case of an old dog can a veterinarian prescribe certain medications.

Pathological

In this case, true incontinence is manifested. And here, feces, and not just urine, can involuntarily stand out. This can be the result of both congenital and acquired defects. As a result of disruption of the genitourinary system, a weak contraction of the muscles of the urethra occurs, which leads to "leakage".

Often this situation is a sign of a developing disease (especially an inflammatory one). To identify the exact cause, the animal must undergo clinical studies and a full diagnosis.

Often a dog does not control urination when cystitis is present. Also, pathological phenomena that provoke enuresis include damage to the spine, a nervous breakdown, or ectopia (a physiological disorder in which the ureter is directly connected to the urethra or rectum, and not to the bladder).

Such disorders are rarely treated completely. However, the condition of the pet can be controlled with medication. In this case, periodically you need to do certain manipulations prescribed by the veterinarian.

Complication after surgery

Also, the cause of involuntary urination may lie in the transfer of various operations by the dog. This usually results in castration (complete removal of the ovaries and uterus) and sterilization (the uterus or ovaries may remain).

This deviation occurs in about 5-10% of cases due to hormonal imbalance in the pet's body. This condition is quite well controlled by hormonal agents.

How to treat a pet

Treatment of urinary incontinence in a dog is carried out on the basis of what reason provoked the development of such a deviation. Usually the doctor prescribes symptomatic treatment.

Conservative therapy involves the use of hormonal drugs that have progesterone or estrogenic characteristics. Sympathomimetics (alpha-agonists) may also be prescribed. They are able to increase the tone of the muscles of the smooth muscles of the urethra and bladder.

In especially severe cases, the dog is prescribed sympathomimetics simultaneously with hormonal agents. It is also acceptable to use antidepressants. Such drugs have a relaxing effect on the neck of the bladder, as well as on the organ itself as a whole. Folk remedies in this case are ineffective.

Urinary incontinence medication in pet dogs is used until the disorder resolves. If a positive trend is not observed, re-diagnosis and correction of the treatment regimen are prescribed. Tablets and injections are used in strictly measured doses. Preparations are accepted according to all the requirements given in the instructions.

However, in some situations, it is necessary to radically treat the animal by surgical intervention.

Prevention of occurrence

To prevent the occurrence of urinary incontinence in a domestic dog, it is necessary to perform the following preventive actions:

proper and rational nutrition;
the animal should avoid strong emotions;
do not allow hypothermia of the pet;
proper upbringing of the dog;
timely walking;
periodic visits to the vet.

Enuresis in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons. In many cases, this violation can be completely eliminated. But sometimes it is only possible to improve the condition of the pet. Therefore, when caring for your dog, take preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of this disease.

Urinary incontinence in dogs: causes, treatment and prevention

Pet lovers most often do not experience urinary incontinence in a pet until it reaches old age. But it happens that a young individual begins to empty the bladder where necessary. Breeders do not understand why this happens and how to correct urinary incontinence in a dog.

The inability to control urination can be of a different nature:

true incontinence- This is a spontaneous excretion of urine, which occurs due to various pathologies in the genitourinary system. Puddles in the apartment may be preceded by an injury or an abnormal structure of internal organs.
stress incontinence occurs against the background of nervous overstrain or excessive emotional excitability.
Lack of proper upbringing. The dog is simply not accustomed to cleanliness, and does not understand where it is possible and necessary to fulfill the natural needs of the body.
space label. During puberty, dogs instinctively irrigate the territory that they rightfully consider their own with urine.
senile incontinence occurs due to the weakening of all reflex functions of the body.

If you find wet spots on the carpet, sofa and bed, do not immediately scold and punish the animal. After all, the cause of this behavior can be serious health problems of the pet:

Infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. Such a pathology as cystitis requires confirmation by laboratory tests. In a perfectly healthy dog, inflammation of the bladder leads to frequent leakage of urine. The animal may involuntarily defecate even during sleep. The development of cystitis occurs due to hypothermia or infection in the genitourinary system.
Polydipsia. Constant thirst and uncontrolled fluid intake, naturally, provokes uncontrolled excretion of urine. This sign may indicate purulent inflammation of the uterus in the female, requiring immediate removal of the organ. Excessive thirst is a rather formidable symptom that indicates the presence of diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and endocrine diseases.
Spinal injury leads to damage to the structure of nerve endings and the spinal canal. It occurs not only after bumps and falls, but also during childbirth. So, in a bitch after whelping, urinary incontinence is accompanied by weakness and trembling of the limbs. Pinched nerves in the spine often occur in dachshunds due to the elongated body structure.
Congenital physiological disorders. With a normal structure of the internal organs, 2 ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder. Ectopia is characterized by a direct connection of the ureter with the rectum or vagina. The female often lacks a second kidney.
Weakening of the smooth muscles of the urethra is a consequence of the loss of sensitivity of the sphincter. Obesity of the animal and the wrong dosage of hormonal drugs lead to such a pathology.

Urinary incontinence can be a consequence of castration and sterilization. Surgical intervention leads to a change in the hormonal background, which affects the entire genitourinary system.

Symptoms

Atypical dog behavior should alert the breeder. So, the pet urinates in the wrong places. Moreover, if the dog is properly brought up, she does not have a sense of shame or fear of the owner for wet puddles.

The dog leaves wet spots on the bed even during sleep. Redness and irritation appear on the genitals.

These symptoms occur because the dog often licks them in the hope of stopping involuntary urination.

Diagnosis and treatment

When visiting the veterinarian, it is important to describe in detail the clinical signs of urinary incontinence and the behavior of the dog. After examining the animal for the presence of concomitant symptoms, it will be necessary to pass a urine test and conduct an ultrasound of the bladder. If the results obtained fit into the norm, then urinary incontinence is an insufficient upbringing of the pet. But if deviations are found, additional diagnostic measures are needed:

general and bacteriological analysis of urine;
blood analysis;
studies aimed at sensitivity to antibiotics;
back x-ray.

It is necessary to treat urinary incontinence in a dog, based on the causes of the development of pathology. To remove the inflammatory process in the urinary system caused by the penetration of the infection, you can use a two-week course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Within a couple of days from the start of taking medications, uncontrolled urine output will most likely stop. But therapy cannot be stopped, otherwise the risk of relapse and the transition of the disease to a chronic form will increase.

With hormonal disorders, an effective drug is used - phenylpropanolamine. Its action is aimed at enhancing the muscle tone of the urethra.

When neglected, the dog is given a combination of estrogens and alpha-adrenergic agonists. Minor doses of diethylstilbestrop are used to treat urinary incontinence in neutered dogs.

If the animal is diagnosed with ectopic ureters, then surgical intervention will be required. During the operation, the veterinarian will make a hole for urine to drain into the bladder and then be removed from the body. Deformation and injuries of the spine also require the services of a surgeon. But it happens that the back of the animal's brain is badly damaged, and it cannot be restored.

Prevention

From the first days of the puppy's stay in the house, the new owners should not only educate him, but also provide everything necessary. The animal must have favorable conditions for active growth and development of the body's immune defenses.

The general health of the pet and the possible development of diseases, including urinary incontinence, depend on insufficient control over the environment.

Therefore, preventive measures should be taken from the first months of a dog's life:

Providing a balanced diet that includes vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates. In the diet of the animal must be present all the components responsible for normal life, growth and development.
Use special vitamin complexes that are appropriate for the age and health of the pet.
Avoid hypothermia of the dog, which can provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system. It is important to exclude overheating of the body - it can also cause a decrease in protective functions.
Take care of the dog. If it is not possible to teach her to carry out her natural needs on the street on her own, then it is worth using the services of professional trainers.
Walk your pet at the same time. Don't make your pet wait too long.

Breeders need to properly respond to urinary incontinence in dogs. The causes and treatment of this symptom depend on the specific pathology or disease, some of them are not treatable. In this case, you should not immediately get rid of the pet, you can use diapers for animals and then wet puddles will not appear in the apartment.

Characteristic symptoms

To distinguish the disease from embarrassment or disobedience, remember that with enuresis, dogs of any breed show the same symptoms.

Lack of guilt

When urinating from prank or unwillingness to go outside, the dog knows that he has violated the taboo. Her behavior shows signs of fear or remorse. With incontinence, dogs do not feel guilty about the appearance of a puddle. They can urinate even in the room where the owner is.

Wet couch

A healthy dog will never relieve himself in a place to sleep. If at night he feels the urge to urinate, he will whine near the owner or make a puddle on the floor near the door. A damp bed and the smell of urine on the coat are characteristic signs of enuresis.

Redness of the genitals

During a disease of the urinary system in dogs, the composition of urine changes. It increases the concentration of substances that irritate the delicate skin of the genitals. To reduce pain, dogs constantly lick the external genitalia. As a result, they swell a little and become bright pink.

Causes of incontinence

Urinary incontinence in a 1-2 month old puppy is common. At this age, the baby has not yet learned to control the urinary apparatus. In addition, before the first vaccination, he is not taken out into the street. Over time, a healthy dog will get used to the new daily routine. Uncontrolled urination in adult dogs has its reasons.

natural

The joy of meeting the owner or the fear of enemies is often manifested by the release of a small amount of urine. This behavioral feature cannot be cured or corrected. The doggie will leave puddles in stressful cases for the rest of his life. This is especially true for dog breeds with a nervous temperament:

Yorkshire Terrier;
Labrador;
doberman pinscher;
Airedale;
poodle.

Dogs often experience urinary incontinence during estrus. So, during the period of estrus, the bitch feels pulling pains in the lower abdomen. Urination helps her relieve pressure, prepare for mating. To keep the apartment clean, you need to buy special diapers for animals.

Acquired

The most common acquired causes are age-related changes in the body. Older pets of any breed often suffer from weakened smooth muscles. The sphincter of the bladder can no longer fully retain urine. In this case, the owners must adjust the diet and be patient with the physiological characteristics of the elderly friend.

In addition to old age, castration of a pet is an acquired cause. After the animal was spayed or castrated, its hormonal background changed dramatically. The absence of sex hormones leads to a weakening of the tone of the internal muscles. Treatment includes taking medications, sphincter closure surgery.

Diseases of the genitourinary system

Uncontrolled urination in dogs can be a symptom of the following conditions:

diabetes;
Cushing's syndrome;
pyometra;
spinal injury;
benign and malignant tumors.

But most often, veterinarians identify the following diseases.

Cystitis

When an infection enters the bladder, urethra or kidneys, the animal develops cystitis. The reasons for its appearance are hypothermia, constipation, circulatory pathologies, low immunity. Symptoms of the disease - frequent urge to urinate, the appearance of blood, mucus, pus in the urine. The dog becomes restless, runs away when trying to feel the stomach.

After evaluating the test results, the veterinarian prescribes an antibacterial agent to inhibit the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. Then you can use the recipes of homeopathy and strengthen the pet's body with decoctions of medicinal herbs. With severe pain, analgesics and antispasmodics will help.

Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra often affects males due to the anatomical features of the reproductive system of dogs. Their urethra is more susceptible to various infections.

Urethritis is considered an extremely dangerous disease, since the inflamed mucous membrane causes stagnation of urine. Because of this, intoxication of the entire body of the animal develops.

First aid is provided by a veterinarian in a clinic setting. He performs a urethral catheterization to force urine out. Next, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic tablets are prescribed. After completing the course, you can be treated with traditional medicine methods.

Urolithiasis disease

This is the name of the condition in which salt crystals form in the cavities of the excretory system. The causes of the disease are an untreated infection, malnutrition, obesity, lack of movement. In addition to urinary incontinence, symptoms include blood in the urine, painful urination, lethargy, and lack of appetite.

Urolithiasis is treated with complex therapy. To relieve inflammation, the veterinarian prescribes antibiotics, antispasmodics, painkillers. Physiotherapeutic procedures are used to crush stones and facilitate the outflow of urine. And a special diet and drinking regimen help restore health, strengthen immunity.