First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘female dog incontinence’

Many dog owners don’t know what to do when incontinence in female dogs becomes an issue.  This problem affects many pets, but their owners either ignore it or are too embarrassed about it to take their dogs to the vet.  Female dog incontinence, and its causes and treatments, will be discussed in this article.

Your Dog Leaks Urine

You’ll probably notice that your female dog is leaking urine, especially when she’s sleeping or she’s very relaxed.  You’ll probably notice this problem more at night.  Owners will notice that when the dog gets up, she leaves a puddle or wet spot on the carpet.

The urine leaking is a nuisance for you, but it’s more annoying for your dog.  Urine is caustic and causes severe skin irritation if it’s in contact with the skin for any length of time.  You’ll see your incontinent female dog licking herself often, trying to keep her bottom clean.  She may even lick until the area is raw.  Leaked urine burns the area even more, so you can see it becomes a vicious cycle for your dog.

Incontinence in female dogs can also lead to more bladder infections, due to the urinary sphincter being too relaxed.  This makes it possible for bacteria to enter her urethra and cause urinary tract infections.

Is Your Dog At Risk For Female Dog Incontinence?

This problem is common in spayed females, especially the larger breeds, although it can occur in just about any breed.  The problem usually shows up when you dog is between three and five years old.

Your dog has a muscular valve at the base of her bladder that keeps urine from dripping out.  In female dogs, estrogen helps the muscles of the bladder to stay strong.  You can see that if the hormonal balance in your dog’s body changes, she may not be able to hold her urine.

When a dog is spayed, her uterus and ovaries are removed.  This means that her body is no longer making estrogen, which can lead to a dog that leaks urine.

Treatment For Incontinence In Female Dogs

Vets usually treat this problem with DES, or diethylstilbestrol.  This hormone has the same functions as estrogen.  Your dog will take it every day to start, with the dosage gradually tapered off to once a week.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is also used to treat female dogs that are leaking urine.  This drug is not a hormone, but it was an ingredient in diet pills until it was banned for human use by the FDA.  It’s still approved for veterinary use, though.  Side effects can include irritability, appetite suppression, and changes in blood pressure.

Your dog will need to be on one or both or these drugs for the rest of her life.

Natural Treatment For Dogs With Urinary Incompetence

Herbal pet remedies are becoming a topic of interest for many pet owners.  Humans have been using herbal treatments for various conditions for centuries, and in many parts of the world, they still do.  It’s to be expected that pet owners would wonder whether these herbal pet remedies would work as well for their pets.

The answer is that they do.  You’ll be pleased to know that herbal and homeopathic remedies for pets are safe and effective, plus there are no side effects.  They’re also reasonably priced and easy to find.

You do need to buy your herbal pet remedies from a reputable company that stands behind its products and is committed to providing formulations that are safe for your pet.

Don’t be embarrassed about female dog incontinence any longer.  Do yourself and your dog a favor and discover how a natural treatment for dogs with urinary incompetence is both effective and safe.  Just click on any link in this article to learn more.

If your female dog leaks urine, it’s important for you deal with this problem.Female dog incontinence won’t go away on its own; it can lead to other problems for your dog and you.

Signs And Symptoms Of Female Dog Incontinence

The most noticeable sign of this problem is a wet spot or urine puddle where your dog has been sleeping.  You’ll see it when she gets up.  You may even observe that she’s unable to control the urine leaks.

Your dog’s bottom may also be red and raw due to urine scald.Urine causes skin irritation if it’s on the skin for a long period of time.  You may also notice that she’s licking her bottom more often, in an effort to keep the area clean.  This can lead to further irritation.  All in all, it’s an uncomfortable situation for your canine friend.

Another sign of incontinence in female dogs is frequent bladder infections.  Bladder infections in dogs are more common in female dogs anyway, because the urethra in females is shorter and broader, which makes it easier for disease-causing bacteria to get into the urinary tract.  A pet with female dog incontinence may also have a relaxed urinary sphincter, which makes it even easier for pathogens to enter.

How Can I Help My Incontinent Female Dog?

Your vet can offer several treatments.  The first thing to do is to treat the bladder infection, if one exists. 

Many times incontinence in female dogs is hormone related.  Estrogen is very important for keeping the bladder muscles tight in female dogs.  When a dog is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are removed, so her body no longer produces estrogen.  This is why this problem often shows up in spayed female dogs between the ages of three and five.  Vets will often treat hormone-related incontinence with DES, or diethylstilbestrol.

Incontinence in female dogs is also treated with phenylpropanolamine (PPA).  This used to be an ingredient in diet pills until it was banned by the FDA for human use.  However, it’s still approved for use in animals.  Your dog may lose her appetite, and become irritable.  Another side effect is changes in blood pressure.

These drugs must be administered to your dog for the rest of her life.

Can Herbal Pet Remedies Help?

Many people are using herbal remedies for various ailments.  These natural remedies have stood the test of time and are still being used in many places in the world.  The question many pet owners have is, can these herbal remedies be used on their pets?

The answer is yes.  Herbal pet remedies are safe and effective, as well as being inexpensive and readily available. It’s important, though to buy these remedies from a reputable company that specializes in producing formulations that are safe for use on pets.  Buy only from a company that stands behind its products and offers a money-back guarantee.

Make no mistake about it; people are being more cautious about their own medications, so it’s only natural to expect that they’ll question what meds their pets are on. 

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help your incontinent dog, and find the best place to buy them at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com