Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

Urinary Incontinence in Dogs

By: Dr. Debra Primovic

Section: Overview

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis of urinary incontinence and exclude other diseases that may cause similar symptoms such as bacterial urinary tract infection, urolithiasis (stones or calculi) or prostatic disease in male dogs. Tests may include:

  • Complete medical history and physical examination, including palpation of the abdomen, rectal examination in males to evaluate the prostate gland, and vaginal examination in females

  • Urinalysis to evaluate for presence of white cells, red cells, and bacteria

  • Urine culture and sensitivity to evaluate for presence of bacterial urinary tract infection

  • A complete blood count and serum biochemistry tests to evaluate the pet's general health and function of other body systems

  • Plain abdominal X-rays to evaluate for stones

  • Contrast dye studies to evaluate for congenital
    abnormalities and bladder position

  • In difficult cases, special physiologic studies of urination (urethral pressure profile, cystometrogram) may be recommended. These tests will require referral to a specialist.

    Treatment

    Whenever possible treatment for urinary incontinence will be determined by the underlying cause. Definitive treatment involves elimination of the underlying cause of the urinary incontinence. Examples include correction of an anatomic defect, removal of a neurologic lesion, relief of partial obstruction, effective treatment of bacterial urinary tract infection.

    In many cases, the cause of incontinence remains unknown after all diagnostic tests have been performed. In this instance, urinary incontinence must be treated symptomatically. The drug phenylpropanolamine is commonly used to treat urinary incontinence thought to be caused by weakness of urethral muscle (sphincter mechanism incompetence).

    Home Care and Prevention

    Administer medications prescribed by your veterinarian to your pet as directed. Allow your pet free access to fresh clean water and frequent opportunities to urinate. Make sure the bedding is clean and dry.

    Follow-up with your veterinarian for examinations and urinalysis. If your pet has an inadequate response to treatment, additional tests may be necessary to identify the cause of the incontinence.

    Contact your veterinarian if you notice any signs of urinary tract infection (e.g. straining, blood in the urine) or urinary obstruction (e.g. painful urinations, frequent unsuccessful attempts to urinate).

     
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
    and His Staff of Veterinarians Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Inappropriate Elimination in Dogs

      About 20 percent of all behavior problems in dogs fall into the category of "inappropriate elimination." This term refers to the unseemly practice of dogs either urinating, defecating, or both on the floor...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Acute Cystitis in Dogs

      Acute cystitis is defined as inflammation of the urinary bladder usually caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases are caused by bacteria from the intestinal tract that migrate up into the bladder.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Recurrent Cystitis in Dogs

      Recurrent cystitis is defined as repeat bouts of inflammation of the urinary bladder. Generally in small animal veterinary medicine, cystitis is usually synonymous with “bladder infection”.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Ectopic Ureters

      Ectopic ureter is an abnormality present at birth in which one or both of the ducts that bring urine from the kidneys to the bladder fail to open into the bladder in the normal way.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Pyelonephritis in Dogs

      Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney, and is most often due to a bacterial infection that has made its way from the lower urinary tract (urinary bladder) to the kidney and can lead to kidney...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 6 Urethritis in Dogs

      Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra due to injury, infection or cancer. The urethra swells and narrows, and the flow of urine is impeded. Both urination and the urgency to urinate increase.

      Read MoreRead More
  • Related Articles
    • 1 Urethritis in Dogs

      Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra due to injury, infection or cancer. The urethra swells and narrows, and the flow of urine is impeded. Both urination and the urgency to urinate increase.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Inappropriate Elimination in Dogs

      About 20 percent of all behavior problems in dogs fall into the category of "inappropriate elimination." This term refers to the unseemly practice of dogs either urinating, defecating, or both on the floor...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Acute Cystitis in Dogs

      Acute cystitis is defined as inflammation of the urinary bladder usually caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases are caused by bacteria from the intestinal tract that migrate up into the bladder.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Recurrent Cystitis in Dogs

      Recurrent cystitis is defined as repeat bouts of inflammation of the urinary bladder. Generally in small animal veterinary medicine, cystitis is usually synonymous with “bladder infection”.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Ectopic Ureters

      Ectopic ureter is an abnormality present at birth in which one or both of the ducts that bring urine from the kidneys to the bladder fail to open into the bladder in the normal way.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 6 Pyelonephritis in Dogs

      Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney, and is most often due to a bacterial infection that has made its way from the lower urinary tract (urinary bladder) to the kidney and can lead to kidney...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Related Articles
    • 1 Urethritis in Dogs

      Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra due to injury, infection or cancer. The urethra swells and narrows, and the flow of urine is impeded. Both urination and the urgency to urinate increase.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Inappropriate Elimination in Dogs

      About 20 percent of all behavior problems in dogs fall into the category of "inappropriate elimination." This term refers to the unseemly practice of dogs either urinating, defecating, or both on the floor...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Acute Cystitis in Dogs

      Acute cystitis is defined as inflammation of the urinary bladder usually caused by a bacterial infection. Most cases are caused by bacteria from the intestinal tract that migrate up into the bladder.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Recurrent Cystitis in Dogs

      Recurrent cystitis is defined as repeat bouts of inflammation of the urinary bladder. Generally in small animal veterinary medicine, cystitis is usually synonymous with “bladder infection”.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Ectopic Ureters

      Ectopic ureter is an abnormality present at birth in which one or both of the ducts that bring urine from the kidneys to the bladder fail to open into the bladder in the normal way.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 6 Pyelonephritis in Dogs

      Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney, and is most often due to a bacterial infection that has made its way from the lower urinary tract (urinary bladder) to the kidney and can lead to kidney...

      Read MoreRead More
    Advertisement
    Advertisement