Puppies can suffer from incontinence for a variety of reasons. However, it is important that one does not confuse incontinence with submissive urination.
It is relatively easy to tell the difference between incontinence and submissive urination. The later occurs when a puppy shows that he or she is submissive to another dog or to people. In the case of submissive urination, the puppy usually rolls onto his or her back and urinates.
Submissive urination is not a form of incontinence because the puppy can control his or her bladder functions normally when there is no need to show submissive behavior.
Nervousness is another reason that puppies may squat and urinate. Many puppies overcome this with time.
Dogs are very much like humans when it comes to expelling urine, which is retained in the bladder. The urine passes to the outside of the body through a small tube called the urethra. Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary or uncontrollable leakage of urine from the bladder.
Incontinence is most common among very young puppies that have not yet learned muscle control and older dogs that have lost muscle tone. The lack of muscle control allows urine to leak from the bladder.
Incontinence is a genetic part of the makeup of some breeds such as Cavalier King Charles spaniels that can be very difficult to housebreak.
Some dogs are born with defects that can cause or attribute to urinary incontinence. One of the most common defects is ectopic ureters. Dogs have two ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. If one or both of the ureters bypass the bladder and connect to another location such as the urethra, a puppy may drip urine. This type of problem is most prevalent in Siberian huskies, miniature poodles, Labrador retrievers, collies, Welsh corgies, wire-haired fox terriers and West Highland white terriers.
In the event of one abnormally formed ureter, the puppy will dribble urine. However, he or she will most likely be able to urinate normally. Puppies that have two abnormal ureters will not be able to urinate normally. These dogs will only be able to dribble urine. Female dogs are most commonly affected by this condition.
There are many possible causes of urinary incontinence found in dogs. In addition to a lack of muscle control, trauma to the brain or spinal cord can cause incontinency.
Cushing’s disease, diabetes, bladder or kidney stones, arthritis and hip dysplasia, epilepsy, urinary tract infections and kidney or liver disease are possible causes of urinary incontinency.
It is not uncommon for female dogs that have been spayed to drip urine. A lack of estrogen due to the removal of the dog’s ovaries can cause the urinary sphincter to weaken. This is easily treatable by a veterinarian.
If you notice that your puppy is involuntarily dribbling urine, keep a watchful eye. It is helpful if you can log the incontinency so that you can provide accurate and helpful information to the puppy’s veterinarian who will perform a urinalysis. The doctor may recommend blood tests and x-rays to help determine the cause of the urinary incontinence.
Related posts:
- Canine Urinary Problems
- Canine Urinary Tract Infections
- Canine Bladder Stones
- Urinalysis
- Neutering/Spaying
