How is urethral incontinence treated? Treatment is based on your pet's specific diagnosis. Medications that increase urethral sphincter tone such as phenylpropanolamine (PPA), or hormone replacements such as estrogen or diethylstilbestrol (DES), are commonly used alone and in combination.
Urethral sphincter incompetence -- Typically seen in middle-aged to older spayed female dogs, they often respond favourably to phenylpropanolamine (PPA; Propalin®). This medication helps to stimulate the urethral sphincter mechanism. For dogs that fail to respond to PPA, estrogen therapy may be used.
In the majority of urinary incontinence cases, otherwise healthy patients are treated initially with either alpha-agonist medications such as phenylpropanolamine (PPA) or estrogen compounds such as diethylstilbestrol (DES), estriol (Incurin, Merck Animal Health), or Premarin.
Here is what you need to know:
No matter the age of your dog, head to the veterinarian if he or she begins wetting the bed, leaking even a little urine, or having accidents in the house. It is important to rule out medical and behavior issues. Some dogs will urinate when frightened or feel threatened.
The problem can become a lot more pronounced if there's an additional medical condition affecting the urinary tract. But one thing to bear in mind is that incontinent dogs experience no discomfort, so don't expect them to display any signs of pain while urinating.
Hormone-responsive incontinence happens in both female and male neutered dogs, but it's largely seen in middle-aged and senior female dogs. Dogs with this condition pee normally, but will leak urine when they are lying down. The cause is related to the hormone estrogen.
When a dog shows signs of a loss of bladder control when in scary or tense situations, it be stress incontinence. Found to occur more often in younger animals, most will outgrow the condition.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
If this behavior is accompanied by whimpering or yelping during urination, lethargy, blood in the urine, or a bloated or tight abdomen, it should be treated as an emergency.
If the nerves in the spine are being compressed due to inflammation, your veterinarian will prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce the pressure on the nerves. Once the underlying cause of the lack of bladder control is treated properly, your dog may regain her ability to urinate normally again.
Canine urinary incontinence is not harmful by itself, but potential side effects include scalding of the skin and skin infections, urinary tract infections and in some cases, serious kidney infections.
Antibiotics are the number one treatment for bladder infections in dogs. In some cases, your veterinarian may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers depending on the severity and underlying cause of your pet's bladder infection.
Vinegar can help dogs and cats that suffer from urinary tract infections. However, before trying a vinegar remedy, you will first need to find out what the pH is in your pet's urine, Morgan says. “If the pH is above 7, then apple cider vinegar is your best friend,” Morgan says.
Treatment Overview. Several types of behavioural methods are used for treating urinary incontinence: bladder training, habit training, biofeedback, and pelvic muscle exercises. People who have incontinence due to physical or mental limitations (functional incontinence) can try timed voiding and prompted voiding.
GEMTESA (vibegron) is an oral medication indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with signs of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), urgency, and urinary frequency in adults.
Depending on the type, incontinence can sometimes be treated with natural and at-home remedies like bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, weight loss, and dietary supplements.
Although urinary incontinence can afflict dogs of any age, breed or gender, it is most often seen in middle-aged to older, spayed female dogs. Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers and Old English Sheepdogs are among the breeds that seem to be more prone to incontinence.
One household accident may not mean your dog suffers from incontinence, but several cleanups may signal a trip to the veterinarian is necessary for a checkup. Another sign of this condition comes with your dog dripping urine or you notice irritation on the skin near where they urinate.
Cost of Colposuspension in Dogs
A colposuspension can cost anywhere from $1,000 up to $4,000. Diagnostic imaging, blood work and other tests are needed before surgery can be done, which adds to the price. Many dogs require medication even after surgery has been performed.