Incontinence

What is Incontinence in Dogs?

Urinary incontinence means: The dog loses urine without wanting to – and usually without even noticing. Typical is the wet bed that owners find in the morning, or small puddles where the dog has just stood up. It is important to distinguish here: True urinary incontinence is not a conscious behaviour, but a physical control problem. Urine dribbling due to conditions such as diabetes mellitus or kidney problems looks similar, but has different causes. There is also faecal incontinence – the dog simply cannot hold back bowel movements.

What are the Causes of Incontinence in Dogs?

The triggers are diverse. An overview of the most common ones:

• Neutering in bitches: The lower oestrogen level and connective tissue that weakens with age cause the bladder sphincter to become weaker. Symptoms often appear only years after the procedure – especially in older, neutered bitches of large breeds. Overweight exacerbates the problem further.
• Tumours and urinary stones: Tumours in the bladder or urinary tract, but also polyps or urinary stones can trigger incontinence.
• Congenital malformations: In young animals, malformations of the bladder or neighbouring organs can be the cause – here, incontinence is often noticed early on.
• Behavioural problems: Submissive or still young dogs occasionally wet themselves. This sounds more alarming than it usually is – in many cases, it resolves on its own.
• Nerve injuries: Accidents, herniated discs or tumours can damage the nerves that control the bladder – with a direct impact on control.
• Age-related changes: In older dogs, cognitive dysfunction (a form of dementia) and pain due to reduced mobility play a role.
• Secondary incontinence caused by underlying diseases: Bladder inflammation, liver disease, Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus or kidney damage can significantly increase the urge to urinate. Certain medications such as diuretics or cortisone can also trigger similar symptoms.

Faecal incontinence is rarer. Triggers can include injuries to the sphincter muscle, nerve damage, tumours, congenital malformations or age-related behavioural changes.

How does incontinence manifest in dogs?

• Urinary incontinence: Urine loss often goes unnoticed – during sleep, when getting up or simply in between. With bladder inflammation, frequent urination is common, sometimes accompanied by visible discomfort or straining to urinate. Young animals with malformations often lose small amounts of urine continuously, without any discernible trigger.
• Faecal incontinence: The dog loses small amounts of faeces without realising it. In older dogs with cognitive changes, it can happen that they defecate in the middle of the room – simply because the familiar walk routine is no longer accessible in their memory.

How is incontinence in dogs diagnosed?

A reliable diagnosis requires a thorough veterinary examination. Depending on the suspicion, various steps are employed:

• Anamnesis interview: When does the incontinence occur? How long has it been happening? Are there other abnormalities in behaviour? These details from the owner are often the crucial first clue.
• Physical examination: General health status, abdominal palpation, assessment of the bladder area.
• Blood and urine tests: These allow diseases such as diabetes mellitus or kidney problems to be specifically ruled out or confirmed.
• Imaging techniques: Ultrasound and X-rays reveal malformations, tumours or other structural abnormalities.
• Neurological examinations: If there is suspicion of nerve damage, reflexes and nerve function are specifically tested.

How is incontinence in dogs treated?

Treatment always depends on the cause – there is no one-size-fits-all solution:

• Drug therapy: For hormonally induced incontinence (urethral sphincter incompetence), vets often prescribe oestrogen preparations or phenylpropanolamine. Both can significantly improve sphincter muscle function.
• Treatment of the underlying disease: Bladder inflammation is treated with antibiotics, diabetes mellitus with insulin and an adapted diet. If the underlying disease improves, incontinence often improves too.
• Surgery: For malformations or certain tumours, surgical intervention is sometimes the only effective option.
• Behavioural modification: If the cause is behavioural, targeted training can help – ideally in consultation with the vet or a behaviour therapist.
• Daily management: Dog diapers or waterproof pads are not a solution, but a sensible addition – especially while treatment is underway.

What is the prognosis for incontinence in dogs?

The outlook depends heavily on the cause. Hormonally induced incontinence responds well to medication in most cases. If an underlying disease is the cause, incontinence often improves once that condition is treated. For behaviour-related incontinence in young dogs, symptoms often disappear entirely on their own – sometimes it simply takes a little time.

How can you prevent incontinence in dogs?

There is no guarantee – some causes simply cannot be prevented. But certain measures significantly reduce the risk:

• Regular vet visits: Detect and treat underlying diseases early, before they cause secondary problems.
• Healthy nutrition and weight control: Overweight puts strain on the pelvic floor and promotes incontinence – a healthy weight therefore offers double protection.
• Sufficient exercise: Regular, age-appropriate activity keeps muscles, joints and general condition fit.

Does a dog with incontinence need to see the vet?

Yes – and without waiting too long. Incontinence often sounds less serious than it is. Underlying conditions that require treatment may be present. Only an accurate diagnosis reveals what is really going on – and only then can targeted help be provided. When in doubt, it is better to visit the vet too early than too late.