As pets grow older, they oftentimes begin to lose control over certain bodily functions. If your dog's bladder or urinary tract become weak, he may develop dog incontinence. Many owners fail to recognize this condition because of its similarity to problems of housebreaking or behavior. Canine incontinence is neither of those things; rather, it is a medical condition that can be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Before you and your veterinarian can work to address your pet's incontinence, however, you must first learn to recognize the symptoms.
Involuntary Urination
The primary symptom of canine incontinence is involuntary urination. Your pet may urinate in inappropriate places, such as indoors, or at unusual times. Unlike problem urination that is a behavior, however, your pet will not recognize that he has had an accident. While otherwise healthy dogs may occasionally urinate in the house while under stress or excitement, they oftentimes recognize the incident and display signs of fear or shame. Dogs with incontinence issues will do neither.
Wet Spots
Healthy dogs have control over their urine while they sleep. They may wake up in the night and expect to be let outside, and they may even urinate on the floor if they are not able to reach the appropriate location. However, they do not typically urinate while they are sleeping or in the area in which they sleep. Incontinent dogs may do just that. If you suspect that your dog has bladder control issues, observe the space in which he sleeps for signs of dampness. His underside may also be wet in the morning, which is a prime indication of nighttime incontinence issues.
Tenderness
Dogs with incontinence oftentimes think that there is something the matter with their own genitals. Not being aware of their issue, they may spend inordinate amounts of time licking and cleaning this area. As a result, you may notice unusual redness or irritation around your pet's genitals. This is by no means a surefire sign of canine incontinence, but it does help to indicate that your pet does not understand what is going on and has no control over his urine.
Incontinence or Behavior?
If canine incontinence occurs at an early age, you may mistake it for an artifact of housebreaking training or for a problem behavior. In addition to the fact that your healthy pet will be aware of any mistakes (and likely afraid of the consequences), you are also not likely to notice repeated instances. Incontinent dogs, however, may have several accidents per week. Particularly if the condition is developed or serious, you may become frustrated at the number of messes that your pet leaves.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from a lack of bladder control, have him examined by a veterinarian. Incontinence may be linked to other conditions that pose a more serious and immediate risk to your pet's health. Your vet can also advise you on the best ways of managing your pet's condition.