The Martins noticed that their dog, Missy, lost control of her bladder. She sometimes peed in the house, which she had never done before. They even found the bedding in her crate was wet where she had been sleeping. They became worried and took her to the veterinarian.
Urinary incontinence in dogs can happen for reasons covering a range from relatively mild to severe—anatomical abnormalities, kidney disease, infections, and more. Urinary incontinence is a medical condition, not a learned behavior where you have a dog peeing in the house intentionally; therefore, it requires medical attention as soon as possible.
What is Incontinence in Dogs?
Urinary incontinence is synonymous with a medical condition causing the body to lose bladder control and leak urine involuntarily. Urinary incontinence in dogs may vary from a small dribble to a larger than the average urine amount. The dog may not even know they are urinating, and they cannot control it.
What is Not Incontinence?
Sometimes what may appear to be urinary incontinence is just inappropriate behavior. For example, if the dog is peeing in their crate, it may be because they came from a pet shop or puppy mill, where they spent most of their time in cages. While a dog peeing in their crate is not normal, they cannot go anywhere else. It is learned behavior.
Other behavioral matters include submissive and excitement urination, lack of house training, and pain when it hurts too much to get outside.
Which Dogs are More Prone to Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can affect any dog, but some seem to be more likely to get it. Older, spayed female dogs—as many as 20%—are highly susceptible to urinary incontinence. This is especially true of large breed dogs. In addition, a decrease in estrogen may cause a loss in the urethra’s muscle tone or a weakened bladder.
We have seen this problem in dogs spayed very early in life (“spay incontinence”) before their muscles were fully developed. Studies suggest that spaying is typically done while the dog is still growing, interrupting their development. This is especially true for large dog breeds, as it takes them longer to reach maturity than small dogs.
Also, certain breeds seem to be more frequently affected, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Dalmatians, and Boxers.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence in Dogs?
There is a wide array of possible causes for urinary incontinence in dogs, so it’s important to take your dog to the vet at the first sign of trouble.
#1: Ectopic Ureters
An ectopic ureter is a defect with which some dogs are born. The ureter tube is not correctly attached to the bladder. Instead, it drains into the urethra and prevents normal urine retention. This bladder storage dysfunction is most common in females.
#2: Hormonal Imbalance
Older, spayed female dogs, especially large breeds, are most prone to urinary incontinence, but it can also happen to older neutered male dogs due to a hormonal imbalance. They lack sufficient estrogen or testosterone, which supports muscle tone in the urethral sphincter.
#3: Brain and Spinal Cord Diseases
Disease or injury to the spine or brain can damage nerves connected to the bladder. As a result, signals cannot get from the brain to the bladder, causing a loss of control. In addition, the dog may have other symptoms of a nervous system disorder, from weak muscles to paralysis.
#4: Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI)/Weak Bladder Sphincter Incontinence
In some dogs, urinary incontinence is caused by Weak Bladder Sphincter Incontinence or Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI). This is because the muscles that should be keeping the urethra closed are weakened, allowing for urine leakage to occur.
This cause is the most common for spayed adult dogs, and the onset is usually within three years after spaying. The incontinence may be due to low hormone levels, a bladder positioned too far back, or low pressure on the bladder.
#5: Bladder Stones
A dog can develop bladder stones that may grow and multiply over time. As a result, the dog will need to go outside unusually frequently and accidentally urinate in the house. Symptoms to watch for also include straining to urinate, discolored urine, and not producing a normal amount of urine.
#6: Abnormal Bladder Positioning
Due to genetics or injury, a dog’s bladder may be positioned abnormally and, therefore, be unable to function normally. Damage may include ectopic ureters, urethral hypoplasia, and other conditions that can cause urinary incontinence.
#7: Excessive Drinking
Drinking unusually large amounts of water may signify a serious condition, such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or kidney disease. The high water intake leads to an equally unusual amount of urine production and incontinence.
#8: Urinary Tract Infections
Bacterial infections can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Upper UTIs infect kidneys and ureters, while the more common lower UTIs infect the bladder.
These infections are less common in male dogs. Symptoms include dribbling urine, frequent urination, blood in the urine, and increased thirst. Some breeds are more prone to a urinary tract infection, such as Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers, Dalmatians, Schnauzers, and French Bulldogs.
Do the Chances of Dog Incontinence Increase as the Dog Ages?
As with people, senior dogs’ bodily functions and parts weaken with age, and it’s harder to control themselves. The sphincter muscles keeping urine inside the bladder lose strength, and inappropriate elimination occ. Older dogs are more prone to the conditions described above, and any one of them can bring on a senior dog’s incontinence. Dogs are often unaware of their incontinence and don’t have control. Combine that with a body that doesn’t move as fast as it used to, and you have an older dog peeing in the house.
How Can I Treat Urinary Incontinence in My Dog?
A dog’s urinary incontinence can be frustrating and frightening. Managing incontinence is impossible when you don’t know the cause. In addition, several medical problems can reduce a dog’s bladder control.
The best thing you can do is take your dog to the veterinarian and give them as much detail as possible about the incontinence—when, where, and how often.
In Part 2 of this Dog Incontinence series, we will look at treating urinary incontinence and what you can do to help your dog. We know the situation is stressful for any pet parents, but there are solutions. Stay tuned!