Incontinence In Dogs---6 Common Reasons That Cause Canine Incontinence

Incontinence In Dogs---6 Common Reasons That Cause Canine Incontinence

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If your wonderful and perfect dog who has been house broken for years is suddenly urinating when and where it shouldn't, you may be experiencing signs of incontinence. Here are 6 things that may be causing the problem, progressing from least to most serious reasons, and suggestions for what to do about them.

1. Submissive Behavior---Even though there is no physical cause for this problem, it is just as frustrating. Urination generally happens when it is over excited, apprehensive, anxious, or frightened. The best way to handle this behavior is with patience and understanding.

Yelling, scolding, or punishing will add to the problem. Even though this is easier said than done, try to anticipate situations that will cause these emotions in your dog and shield it from these types of occurrences. For many dogs this behavior subsides as they age.

2. Old Age---It happens to the best of us and to our dogs too. A decrease in the hormone levels due to aging can result in a loss of control of the muscles around the sphincter that enable your pooch to hold or release urine.

This condition usually starts after 8 years of age, but can happen sooner in female dogs that have been spayed because the organs that produce hormones have been removed. The good news is that there is medication that can be given to increase muscle tone that will help your pooch regain control. Remember, it's no fun for them either.

3. Urinary Tract Infection----Bacteria in the urinary tract can cause infection and often results in loss of control that most often returns to normal once the infection is cured. Symptoms include strong smelling urine, straining, frequent and/or painful urination, and blood in the urine. A strong course of antibiotics will usually set things right again.

You can help prevent the problem from reoccurring by making sure your dog has access to plenty of clean drinking water and is able to get outside easily to empty its bladder. Walking your pooch on a regular basis will help keep elimination of urine and bowels regular and healthy.

4. Bladder Obstruction---This can range from a kidney stone, to a tumor or a urethral stricture (a narrowing) that interrupts the flow of urine. This can lead to only small amounts being able to pass through and at times that are not able to be controlled by your dog. When the blockage is removed the problem usually subsides.

5. Neurological Impairment---If there has been injury to the spinal cord, or growth of a tumor to a size that impairs nerves it can lead to loss of bladder control. Certain types of infection can have the same results.

6. Kidney Problems---Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys are unable to remove waste from the blood. For a while this causes the dog to be thirsty and drink more which can sometimes lead to more urinating. Diabetes and Cushing's disease also have similar symptoms of increased water consumption.

About the Author:
Regardless of the reason for your dog's incontinence, you can keep the urine smell out of your home. See the air purifier specifically designed to remove pet urine odor now at http://purerair.com/austin_air_pet_machine.html



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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