by Nancy Kay, DVM
Does your dog awake from her sleep in a puddle of urine? Does she dribble urine when she stands up or is walking about?
If so, she has involuntary urine leakage, known as urinary incontinence. Not only can this be bothersome and even embarrassing (dare I anthropomorphize) for the dog, it is truly a huge cleanup nightmare for the humans who live with a leaky dog. Urinary incontinence often results in frustrated attempts to use diapers, many loads of laundry, and irrational reprimands for the poor dog who has no control over the situation. Worst-case scenario, the dog who normally sleeps beside her master’s bed, is banished to the backyard.
The good news is, for most dogs, the leaking can be stopped or markedly diminished with appropriate therapy.
The cause of the incontinence must first be established with appropriate diagnostic testing performed by a veterinarian.
Normal urination
When urine travels from the bladder (its holding reservoir) to the outside world it passes through a rather narrow tubular channel called the urethra. A muscular sphincter is present right at the point where the urethra connects with the bladder. It is this urethral sphincter that prevents urine leakage by remaining tightly closed. When the brain sends a signal that it is time to urinate, the bladder contracts at the same time the sphincter relaxes thus allowing urine to flow.
Hormone responsive urinary incontinence
Far and away the most common cause of canine incontinence is referred to as “hormone-responsive incontinence” or “acquired urinary incontinence.” It is a disease of neutered dogs- most commonly middle aged and older females, but occasionally occurs in males and younger females. Various studies report an incontinence incidence rate of 5-20% in spayed female dogs.
There is evidence that neutering before three months of age substantially increases the risk of future incontinence.
Other factors that may be associated with increased risk for hormone responsive urinary incontinence include:
Breed
Old English Sheepdogs, Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Weimaraners, Rottweilers, and Irish Setters are at increased risk.
Size
Large and giant breeds have increased risk and small breed dogs have decreased risk.
Tail docking
This surgical procedure performed on puppies of certain breeds is suspected to increase the risk of incontinence.
The diagnosis of hormone responsive urinary incontinence is made based on ruling out other potential causes and/or response to medication. Most dogs with this form of incontinence respond favorably to medication. The standard two that are tried alone or in combination are diethylstilbestrol (an estrogen product) and phenylpropanolamine (PPA). For dogs that are nonresponsive to medication, treatment options include collagen injections or placement of a constricting ring at the site of the urethral sphincter.
Incontinence caused by increased thirst
Dogs who drink more water produce more urine. This translates into a bladder that becomes maximally distended, particularly during the night when a dog spends many hours in a state of sound sleep. This bladder distention can override the urethral sphincter, resulting in urine leakage. The key here is to hone in on the cause of the increased thirst. Correct this issue and the urine leakage typically resolves. Common causes of increased thirst include kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract infection, and hormonal imbalances including diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, Cushing’s disease, and Addison’s disease. Increased thirst can also be caused by some medications (diuretics, corticosteroids, antiseizure medications) and changes in diet.
Urethral sphincter abnormalities
Defects at the level of the urethral sphincter can interfere with its normal function. Such abnormalities can include bladder/urethral stones, prostate gland disease, tumors, and inflammation caused by infection. Resolution of the incontinence is dependent on successful treatment of the underlying disease.
Neurological disease
Normal urine retention and voiding is dependent on a complex set of neurological signals involving the brain, spinal cord, and nerves leading to the bladder and urethral sphincter. Disease within this circuitry can result in urinary incontinence, typically accompanied by other neurological symptoms such as hind leg disuse or weakness and an inability to pass bowel movements normally. Therapy is dependent on the underlying neurological disease.
Plumbing problems
The most common cause of urinary incontinence in puppies is a birth defect called an ectopic ureter. Ureters are the narrow conduits that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The term “ectopic” means in an abnormal place or position. An ectopic ureter transports and empties urine into the urethra rather than the bladder. The diagnosis of this plumbing defect is made visually either by passing an endoscope (a telescope-like device) into the urethra and bladder, or by performing an imaging study (CT scan X-rays) following the administration of contrast material. Incontinence caused by ectopic ureters can often be corrected surgically or with laser therapy.
What your vet will want to know
If you have a leaky dog, be prepared to answer the following questions. Your veterinarian will be able to use this information to help diagnose the cause of your dog’s incontinence.
Have you ever lived with a leaky dog? What was the diagnosis and what was the outcome?
***
Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Author of Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet
Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook
Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to
read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find
“Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your
own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your
pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local
bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.
Did you get your copy of Speaking for Spot yet?
If not, go get the book. It's likely the most important dog book you'll ever read.
Articles by Dr. Kay:
Reasonable Expectations: The Ability to Discuss Your Internet Research With Your Vet
Finding Dr. Wonderful And Your Mutt's Mayo Clinic: Getting Started
Even The Best Veterinarian Can Make A Mistake
A Different Way to Spay
Making Tough Medical Decisions For Your Dog: Lily's Story
If You Don't Know What A Lick Granuloma Is, Count Your Blessings!
Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleaning
Talking Teeth
Urinary Accidents
I Can't Believe He Ate That! Foreign Body Ingestion
What Caused Murphy's And Ruska'sPneumothorax?
The Whole Picture: When The Test Results Don't Match What's In Front Of You
Stop that Scratching
Veterinarians And Vaccines: A Slow Learning Curve
What is a Veterinary Specialist?
Veterinary Specialists: Oncologist
Veterinary Specialists: Cardiologist
Veterinary Specialists: Internist
Veterinary Specialists: Neurologist
Veterinary Specialists: Surgeons
Nutritional Management of Canine Epilepsy
Have a Miniature Schnauzer? Know about Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS)
Puddles: Potential Health Hazard for Your Dog
What Is Glomerular Disease?
Does your dog awake from her sleep in a puddle of urine? Does she dribble urine when she stands up or is walking about?
The good news is, for most dogs, the leaking can be stopped or markedly diminished with appropriate therapy.
The cause of the incontinence must first be established with appropriate diagnostic testing performed by a veterinarian.
Normal urination
When urine travels from the bladder (its holding reservoir) to the outside world it passes through a rather narrow tubular channel called the urethra. A muscular sphincter is present right at the point where the urethra connects with the bladder. It is this urethral sphincter that prevents urine leakage by remaining tightly closed. When the brain sends a signal that it is time to urinate, the bladder contracts at the same time the sphincter relaxes thus allowing urine to flow.
Hormone responsive urinary incontinence
Far and away the most common cause of canine incontinence is referred to as “hormone-responsive incontinence” or “acquired urinary incontinence.” It is a disease of neutered dogs- most commonly middle aged and older females, but occasionally occurs in males and younger females. Various studies report an incontinence incidence rate of 5-20% in spayed female dogs.
There is evidence that neutering before three months of age substantially increases the risk of future incontinence.
Other factors that may be associated with increased risk for hormone responsive urinary incontinence include:
Breed
Old English Sheepdogs, Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Weimaraners, Rottweilers, and Irish Setters are at increased risk.
Size
Large and giant breeds have increased risk and small breed dogs have decreased risk.
Tail docking
This surgical procedure performed on puppies of certain breeds is suspected to increase the risk of incontinence.
The diagnosis of hormone responsive urinary incontinence is made based on ruling out other potential causes and/or response to medication. Most dogs with this form of incontinence respond favorably to medication. The standard two that are tried alone or in combination are diethylstilbestrol (an estrogen product) and phenylpropanolamine (PPA). For dogs that are nonresponsive to medication, treatment options include collagen injections or placement of a constricting ring at the site of the urethral sphincter.
Incontinence caused by increased thirst
Dogs who drink more water produce more urine. This translates into a bladder that becomes maximally distended, particularly during the night when a dog spends many hours in a state of sound sleep. This bladder distention can override the urethral sphincter, resulting in urine leakage. The key here is to hone in on the cause of the increased thirst. Correct this issue and the urine leakage typically resolves. Common causes of increased thirst include kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract infection, and hormonal imbalances including diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, Cushing’s disease, and Addison’s disease. Increased thirst can also be caused by some medications (diuretics, corticosteroids, antiseizure medications) and changes in diet.
Urethral sphincter abnormalities
Defects at the level of the urethral sphincter can interfere with its normal function. Such abnormalities can include bladder/urethral stones, prostate gland disease, tumors, and inflammation caused by infection. Resolution of the incontinence is dependent on successful treatment of the underlying disease.
Neurological disease
Normal urine retention and voiding is dependent on a complex set of neurological signals involving the brain, spinal cord, and nerves leading to the bladder and urethral sphincter. Disease within this circuitry can result in urinary incontinence, typically accompanied by other neurological symptoms such as hind leg disuse or weakness and an inability to pass bowel movements normally. Therapy is dependent on the underlying neurological disease.
Plumbing problems
The most common cause of urinary incontinence in puppies is a birth defect called an ectopic ureter. Ureters are the narrow conduits that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The term “ectopic” means in an abnormal place or position. An ectopic ureter transports and empties urine into the urethra rather than the bladder. The diagnosis of this plumbing defect is made visually either by passing an endoscope (a telescope-like device) into the urethra and bladder, or by performing an imaging study (CT scan X-rays) following the administration of contrast material. Incontinence caused by ectopic ureters can often be corrected surgically or with laser therapy.
What your vet will want to know
If you have a leaky dog, be prepared to answer the following questions. Your veterinarian will be able to use this information to help diagnose the cause of your dog’s incontinence.
- When did the incontinence begin?
- When is the leakage typically observed- during sleep or with activity, before or after urinating outside?
- Is your dog drinking more water than normal? Ideally measure how much water she drinks during a 24-hour time period. Normal water intake during 24 hours should be no more than one ounce per pound of body weight per day.
- Does the act of urination appear normal in terms of time spent squatting, strength of urine stream, and appearance and odor of urine?
- Are there any other observed symptoms such as difficulty passing a bowel movement or hind end weakness?
- Has there been a recent change in diet or addition of medications or supplements?
Have you ever lived with a leaky dog? What was the diagnosis and what was the outcome?
***
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Author of Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet
Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook
Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to
read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find
“Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your
own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your
pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local
bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.Did you get your copy of Speaking for Spot yet?
If not, go get the book. It's likely the most important dog book you'll ever read.
Articles by Dr. Kay:
Reasonable Expectations: The Ability to Discuss Your Internet Research With Your Vet
Finding Dr. Wonderful And Your Mutt's Mayo Clinic: Getting Started
Even The Best Veterinarian Can Make A Mistake
A Different Way to Spay
Making Tough Medical Decisions For Your Dog: Lily's Story
If You Don't Know What A Lick Granuloma Is, Count Your Blessings!
Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleaning
Talking Teeth
Urinary Accidents
I Can't Believe He Ate That! Foreign Body Ingestion
What Caused Murphy's And Ruska'sPneumothorax?
The Whole Picture: When The Test Results Don't Match What's In Front Of You
Stop that Scratching
Veterinarians And Vaccines: A Slow Learning Curve
What is a Veterinary Specialist?
Veterinary Specialists: Oncologist
Veterinary Specialists: Cardiologist
Veterinary Specialists: Internist
Veterinary Specialists: Neurologist
Veterinary Specialists: Surgeons
Nutritional Management of Canine Epilepsy
Have a Miniature Schnauzer? Know about Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS)
Puddles: Potential Health Hazard for Your Dog
What Is Glomerular Disease?
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