Old Dogs Incontinence - Ideas That Can Help
Old dogs incontinence has several causes with a unique solution for each problem.
Common Causes and Solutions Weakened Urinary Sphincter: As a dog ages, sometimes the urinary sphincter muscles weaken.
These muscles help the urethra close to stop the flow of urine.
These muscles hold the bladder closed until it is full.
Then a command from the brain signals the muscles to relax, opening the bladder and releasing the urine.
Normally, dogs can control these muscles.
This condition usually occurs in female dogs that have been spayed.
Medications are available to help correct the problem.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: Like the name implies, if your dog is acting disoriented and forgets familiar places and people, then some type of brain function issue may be occurring in a way that is similar to human Alzheimer Disease.
There is a prescription medication available that could help, although there could be side effects such as tremors.
There are homeopathic natural remedies available for dogs that may also be worth a try that target memory and brain function.
Neurogenic Incontinence: In this type of old dogs incontinence, a problem in the spine is making it difficult to cut off the urine.
The nervous system is getting in the way of the urinary system acting normally.
Since the bladder doesn't empty, it fills to full and then the pressure from the full bladder forces some urine out of the body, which is why you see dribbling or leakage.
This is a difficult condition to treat with focus on helping the bladder.
A homeopathic remedy that focuses on the bladder may also help.
Urinary Tract Problem or Blockage: If a bladder stone has formed it can grow so large that it actually blocks urine from leaving the body.
Often infection has formed as well, since bacteria trapped in the bladder has time to colonize.
Other causes of blockage could be a tumor (benign or malignant), although this is rare.
Treatment involves dissolving or removing the stones surgically.
Changes in diet and the addition of a homeopathic remedy can help to prevent future problems.
At times, old dog incontinence is simply due to old muscles that can no longer do their job.
In this case diapers made for dogs might be the best option.
Common Causes and Solutions Weakened Urinary Sphincter: As a dog ages, sometimes the urinary sphincter muscles weaken.
These muscles help the urethra close to stop the flow of urine.
These muscles hold the bladder closed until it is full.
Then a command from the brain signals the muscles to relax, opening the bladder and releasing the urine.
Normally, dogs can control these muscles.
This condition usually occurs in female dogs that have been spayed.
Medications are available to help correct the problem.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: Like the name implies, if your dog is acting disoriented and forgets familiar places and people, then some type of brain function issue may be occurring in a way that is similar to human Alzheimer Disease.
There is a prescription medication available that could help, although there could be side effects such as tremors.
There are homeopathic natural remedies available for dogs that may also be worth a try that target memory and brain function.
Neurogenic Incontinence: In this type of old dogs incontinence, a problem in the spine is making it difficult to cut off the urine.
The nervous system is getting in the way of the urinary system acting normally.
Since the bladder doesn't empty, it fills to full and then the pressure from the full bladder forces some urine out of the body, which is why you see dribbling or leakage.
This is a difficult condition to treat with focus on helping the bladder.
A homeopathic remedy that focuses on the bladder may also help.
Urinary Tract Problem or Blockage: If a bladder stone has formed it can grow so large that it actually blocks urine from leaving the body.
Often infection has formed as well, since bacteria trapped in the bladder has time to colonize.
Other causes of blockage could be a tumor (benign or malignant), although this is rare.
Treatment involves dissolving or removing the stones surgically.
Changes in diet and the addition of a homeopathic remedy can help to prevent future problems.
At times, old dog incontinence is simply due to old muscles that can no longer do their job.
In this case diapers made for dogs might be the best option.
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