There are several reasons for dog bladder control problems. When pets don’t have control over their bladder, they suffer from urinary incontinence and end up urinating in unusual places in the house. Some pets may ask to go out frequently, while others may show visible signs of pain while urinating. If you notice any of these symptoms you should seek vet help to diagnose the true cause of loss of bladder control.
Causes of Loss of Bladder Control Include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney stones
- Side effects of medication
- Age
- Kidney Disease
Urinary Tract Infections
Pets are highly susceptible to urinary tract infections. Since they come in contact with contaminants outside the house and sleep or sit on the floor, they readily come in contact with bacteria that travel through the urinary passage and enter the bladder. Pets suffering from urinary tract infections, often tend to lick the urethra and show signs of straining while urinating. Urinary tract infections can be controlled by taking the dog out for a walk frequently to prevent accumulation of urine. It’s also best to offer the pet plenty of fresh water throughout the day.
Kidney Stones
This is a common reason why pets lose control over their bladder. Kidney stones occur due to dietary inadequacy, genetic factors and urinary tract infections. Kidney stones are more common in female dogs. To diagnose the problem the vet will have to perform a series of tests such as urine analysis, urine culture tests, ultrasounds and blood tests.
Most dogs suffering from kidney stones are prescribed special diets that are meant to dissolve kidney stones. It should be noted that if the pet suffers from kidney stones frequently, it could ultimately lead to kidney disease and renal failure. Kidney stones should thus be diagnosed and treated in time.
Side Effects of Medication
Pets are often prescribed certain drugs such as steroids to treat other health concerns. However if the dog has been prescribed steroids for a few weeks, the pet will experience increased thirst and increased urination. If the dog isn’t taken outdoors to urinate frequently, the pet won’t be able to control the urge to urinate and will end up urinating around the house. The symptoms of loss of bladder control should subside once the steroids are discontinued.
Age
Elderly dogs are more susceptible to urinary incontinence because they may develop certain underlying diseases that cause loss of bladder control.
Kidney Disease
Dogs may suffer from kidney disease due to genetic factors, ingestion of toxic substances and damage to the kidney due to accidents. Chronic renal failure is one of the most common types of kidney problems in pets. Since the symptoms of kidney disease sometimes occur when the disease is in its advanced stage, dogs often succumb to the disease. Pets have to be treated promptly with dietary alteration and herbal medications to reduce the occurrence of these symptoms.
Although it’s difficult to cure loss of bladder control in older pets, it’s relatively easy to treat the condition in other dogs. The vet will perform a series of tests to diagnose the cause and then prescribe certain diet plans and medications to control the condition. As a pet owner you should administer all prescribed medication on time and conduct follow up vet checks to determine if the underlying cause of loss of bladder control is cured.