Are you frustrated with your dog peeing everywhere around the
house? Does he seem to urinate whenever excited? Has he forgotten his
toilet manners all of a sudden?
At times, loss of bladder control for a dog is simply a matter of behavior. A dog who perceives a person or an "alpha dog" to be more dominant urinates in his presence to show submission. This type of incontinence is easy to correct and would require only behavioral training.
However, dog bladder control problems may also be a sign of other urinary tract diseases. Endocrine disorders like diabetes can be a triggering factor, so is urinary tract infection. Spayed or neutered dogs are also an increased risk because of the significant decrease in hormones responsible for sphincter muscle control.
An in-depth analysis of the underlying cause is thus imperative in determining suitable and effective treatment options. This does not only help in identifying the proper course of action to take, but also allows vets and owners to explore other less-harmful alternatives to synthetic drugs like homeopathic remedies.
Below are some of the underlying causes of dog bladder control problems and their corresponding treatment.
At times, loss of bladder control for a dog is simply a matter of behavior. A dog who perceives a person or an "alpha dog" to be more dominant urinates in his presence to show submission. This type of incontinence is easy to correct and would require only behavioral training.
However, dog bladder control problems may also be a sign of other urinary tract diseases. Endocrine disorders like diabetes can be a triggering factor, so is urinary tract infection. Spayed or neutered dogs are also an increased risk because of the significant decrease in hormones responsible for sphincter muscle control.
An in-depth analysis of the underlying cause is thus imperative in determining suitable and effective treatment options. This does not only help in identifying the proper course of action to take, but also allows vets and owners to explore other less-harmful alternatives to synthetic drugs like homeopathic remedies.
Below are some of the underlying causes of dog bladder control problems and their corresponding treatment.
- Hormonal Commonly seen in spayed females ages 4 and up, this type of incontinence occurs due to a drop in hormones estrogen and testosterone, which are both responsible for sphincter muscle tone, the muscle that controls the opening and closing of the urethra. The dripping occurs when the dog is relaxed or asleep.
- Neurogenic - (Brain Or Spinal cord Injuries Or Defects, Tumors) In these cases, nerve supply leading to the bladder is affected, thus weakening sphincter control. Dogs that suffer from neurogenic causes often exhibit intermittent dribbling of urine.
- UTI When infection is the culprit, patients present with symptoms such as pain upon urination and lethargy. Treatment is geared towards eliminating the bacteria, and to this end, many natural remedies prove to be as effective as antibiotics. Some commonly used herbal remedies are Berberis, Cantharis, Uva ursi and goldenseal root.
- Aging As dogs age, functions of the body begin to weaken. Dog bladder control problems typically manifest when they enter middle age. It would be advisable not to resort to synthetic drugs during this time to help preserve kidney functions. Homeopathic treatments like equisetum can help increase muscle tone and resolve incontinence.
Conventional treatment involves use of phenylpropanolamine (PPA) but if ineffective, testosterone may be given to male dogs. Diethylstilbestrol is rarely used nowadays because of the increased risk of bone marrow suppression. Homeopathic remedies that help increase bladder control for a dog may be given, such as Equisetum arvense and Cantharis.
This is harder to treat especially when trauma is involved. The dog may have to be catheterized indefinitely. Remedies for prevention of infections are given alongside, since catheterization is invasive and increases the risk of infection. Causticum also helps in strengthening decreased bladder tone and even paralysis of affected muscles.
