Urinary incontinence in dogs

Uncontrolled urinary excretion with varying pressure in the dog's stomach (coughing, barking, jumping), or leakage of urine during sleep is considered incontinence. Some owners find an acceptable (in their opinion) way out - they transfer the animal to aviary content or simply put it to sleep. It is difficult to understand the actions of this kind, because urinary incontinence in a dog is often treated. And in most cases the dog is cured completely. The disease is, contrary to popular belief, associated with old age or age changes are not always.

Urinary incontinence can occur during psychological shaking: fright, joy, waiting for punishment (the result of improper training), with a cold. Dishonesty or the desire to "sweep" the territory here should not be counted.

In order to know how to treat urinary incontinence in an animal, it is necessary to first determine the causes. Start with observations. When you come to the veterinary clinic (and this is necessary), tell about all the symptoms, the dog's behavior and even your relationship with it. It is possible that medical intervention in your case is not required (sometimes there is enough consultation with the zoopsychologist and antidepressants).

If urinary incontinence is not associated with mental abnormalities, question the presence of cystitis, polydipsia, weakness of the sphincter, ectopic ureter, spinal injury. The first three causes are most often noted. We will consider them in detail.

Cystitis can hurt both young dogs and old ones. Inflammatory process in the urinary bladder is determined by the analysis of urine. Both general analysis and bacteriological studies (and at the same time determination for sensitivity to antibiotics) are required.

In the results of a general analysis with cystitis, bacteria and an increased proportion of leukocytes are necessarily found. The final setting of the diagnosis and the course of treatment are determined after bacteriological analysis. In any case, with the confirmation of this disease, antibiotic therapy is to be performed. Antibiotics should be selected taking into account the conducted studies and the possible presence of concomitant diseases in the animal. The course lasts about 10 days, with advanced cases the treatment is longer. With the disappearance of symptoms (usually incontinence takes place in the first half of the term of therapy), treatment does not stop. Termination of treatment threatens with relapse and complications.

The first sign of polydipsia is excessive thirst. The dog drinks a lot, often, with greed. The volume of urination, respectively, increases.

Steady thirst can not be ignored. These are signs of dangerous, serious diseases: diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, pyometra, kidney failure and a number of other pathologies. Permanent thirst is a signal to urgently appeal to veterinarians. In this case, the delivery of tests (blood, and urine) will also be required. General tests will show the condition of the dog as a whole. In the presence of deviations from the norm, more detailed functional (specific) tests will be required, the need for which you will be notified by the veterinarian.

Urinary incontinence in a dog can be caused, as already mentioned, by the weakness of the sphincter, to which the females are more likely (for example, with the ovaries removed). After examination and confirmation of the diagnosis, symptomatology is eliminated. Assign alpha-agonists, which increase the tone of the urethra and the neck of the urinary. It is desirable to combine sympathomimetics with hormone therapy, in which preference is given to combined preparations with progestagenic and estrogenic qualities.

All these diseases can and should be treated. The main thing is the timely diagnosis and the right therapy.