It's easy to empathize with the dog on this one, but let's face it-canine urinary incontinence is probably far more frustrating to the dog owner than the dog, especially if man's best friend has to clean up the mess scattered all through his house.
When you hear the term canine urinary incontinence it is usually in reference to the involuntary passing of urine.
Why might a dog suddenly become incontinent, especially if it has always been a housebroken pet? There are several possibilities to consider, including problems with the bladder, the urethra or even abnormalities in the parts of the brain and spinal cord.
Another important issue to consider is that incontinence could be resulting from any number of diseases.
Therefore, it is very important that you seek a veterinarian's diagnosis and advice for treatment.
Statistics show that both male and female dogs can be affected by the condition, and larger breeds are more prone to the condition than smaller dogs.
Some vet researchers also conclude that the number of canine urinary incontinence cases is likely to grow as more dogs grow older, more dogs survive old age, and more dogs spend greater times in indoors.
It is important to get a veterinarian's opinion on the matter as canine urinary incontinence can sometimes be confused with other conditions like submissive urination, which is a habit associated in young dogs, or even a birth defect.
When canine urinary incontinence happens, it may be because of an abnormally strong urge to urinate or because the bladder has scarred, which is preventing it from stretching in order to hold normal urine.
A pet cannot be blamed for breaking the house rules, since it may not even know that it is urinating, and thus urinate in an abnormal location.
This is why a veterinarian will wish to evaluate the dog for the possibility of a bladder infection as a cause of incontinence.
Another cause of canine urinary incontinence is partial blockage of the urethra with a stone or tumor.
If a dog has such a large obstruction inside their system they will not be able to empty their bladder completely, causing the bladder to become so large that it eventually forces urine to leak around the blockage area.
Hormone-responsive incontinence can also affect neutered dogs, both male and female.
Old age may also explain this condition, since the muscles that would ordinarily hold urine in the bladder may weaken as the years pass.
Additionally, there is evidence of pet senility, where dogs may not even know they are urinating.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Problems In Dogs Diagnosis of urinary problems in dogs will involve a veterinarian collecting a urine sample for bacterial infection.
If there is bacteria found in the urine this may indicate urinal tract infection, though this is not necessarily the final diagnosis.
Indeed, UTI is often times a symptom of another pressing disorder or disease.
Though the urine sample is required, the vet may also ask you important questions like when you first noticed the incontinence, how frequently it happens, what the pet's eating and drinking habits are, and the pet's history.
In addition to a urine test, the pet doctor may also order a blood test to check for evidence of kidney damage that has resulted from severe infection or perhaps that was caused by another disease.