DOG URINARY INCONTINENCE IS NOT UNCOMMON. If your housebroken dog starts having indoor URINARY accidents, a medical problem called canine urinary incontinence could be responsible. All forms of PET urinary incontinence should be diagnosed and treated promptly by your veterinarian. Extended exposure to urine on your pet’s skin is irritating and can lead to secondary complications including pet skin ulcers which are also very common in dogs that are immobilized and/or inactive.
CAUSES OF PET URINARY INCONTINENCE
Estrogen-responsive Canine Urinary Incontinence is a common problem affecting older spayed female dogs. Canine Cushing’s Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Chronic Dog Kidney Failure result in the production of excessive amounts of urine which may cause indoor urinary accidents. Canine Urinary Tract Infections can cause dogs to feel the urge to urinate frequently because of bacterial irritation to the bladder wall.
Other conditions that may cause canine urinary incontinence are kidney and dog bladder stones as well as polyps of the urinary bladder and pet cancer of the urinary tract. Certain medications contribute to increased dog urine volume. Diuretics, like Lasix, are often used to promote urination in certain types of Canine Heart Disease, which helps prevent excess fluid from accumulating in your dogs lungs.
SIGNS OF PET URINARY INCONTINENCE
In estrogen responsive canine urinary incontinence the primary complaint is that dogs urine leakage occurs unconsciously while the female dog is sleeping and/or resting. The dog leaves a “wet spot”. Canine urinary tract infections cause dogs to produce small amounts of urine more often than normal, which causes dogs to pass small amounts of urine several times a day. Excessive urinating and drinking are hallmark signs of Canine Diabetes, Cushings Disease and Dog Kidney Failure. Proper diagnosis is essential to confirm the exact problem so that treatment will be effective.
WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO FOR PET URINARY INCONTINENCE
Veterinary diagnostics for pet urinary incontinence involve blood and urine tests. X-rays of the pets urinary tract may reveal stones. For estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence, various medications, traditional and alternative, including proin or in some cases estrogen replacement therapy can be very effective. Urine usually stops leaking in less than a week. Life-long supplementation is generally necessary.
The ovaries normally produce the canine female hormone, Estrogen. Since the canine ovaries are removed when dogs are spayed, their body becomes deficient in estrogen and urine leekage may occur as a result, later in life. Surgery is generally the only effective treatment to remove large canine bladder stones and reestablish normal urination. Pet dietary therapy may be all that is needed to resolve small pet bladder stones causing minor interference with the flow of urination. Many of these special pet diets also help prevent the formation of new stones.
COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS : DOG HERBAL REMEDIES FOR PET URINARY INCONTINENCE
- Diuretic Herbs – parsley, corn silk, dandelion. Diuretics promote urination which can decrease the risk of stone formation. Flushing the urinary tract can help eliminate small tones, toxins and bacteria.
- Cranberry – reduces levels of calcium in the pet urinary tract, therefore may decrease the risk of stone formation in certain cases. Cranberry and Uva Ursi both may be beneficial with dog urinary tract infections.
- Vitamin B6 – 2 mg per pound once daily by mouth.
- Glycosaminoglycans – May help heal canine urinary bladders irritated because of infections and/or stones. This is a normal constituent of the dog urinary bladder lining.
- IP-6 is Inositol hexaphosphate which is an antioxidant.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR PET URINARY INCONTINENCE
Belladonna 30c may be recommended to prevent recurrent canine urinary infections, especially with blood in the urine. Urtica urens 3x promotes urination and decreases the risk of stone formation.
Hydrangea 3x is also useful as a canine stone preventive.
