
While incontinence can be the result of other diseases, it’s also an affliction itself, and maybe a sign of other problems in the body such as bladder infections, urethral blockage, or even natural aging. If you notice your pet urinating in abnormal places or at abnormal times, it may be incontinence.
Depending on what other signs your pet is exhibiting, it can be determined if the frequent urination is a sign of the actual disease.
A dog’s need to urinate changes depending on age. Puppies will need to pee often (just as they need to eat often), but an adult dog may only need to urinate every six to eight hours. Senior dogs usually need to urinate more frequently than adult dogs.
So, bear those ‘urination guidelines’ in mind when judging whether your dog’s behavior has changed, and whether he or she is peeing more frequently.
This may happen when your dog is sleeping or when they’re moving around the house. It’s important to meet with the veterinarian to determine if the incontinence is just that or if it is the sign of another illness. Incontinence can be caused by a number of different factors, including stress, over-exercise, diabetes or neurological issues.
- Urinary incontinence caused by ectopic ureters
An ectopic ureter is an abnormal urethral opening. This is most common in female dogs, and the following breeds are particularly susceptible: Miniature Poodle, Collie, Welsh Corgi, Fox Wire-haired Fox Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Siberian Husky, Newfoundland and English Bulldog. Urinary tract infections are common with this form of urinary incontinence. - Urinary incontinence caused by decreased urethral closure pressure
Typically the result of neurological problems, a thorough neurological exam is required. The urinary incontinence will vary in occurrence, duration, and intensity. - Bladder infection
Though a bladder infection isn’t true incontinence (the pet is aware of urination), it presents in a very similar fashion. A bladder infection increases your pet’s urge to urinate or scars the bladder (when long standing) so that it cannot hold urine. This may cause urination in abnormal locations or frequent urination. - Blockage of urethra
If the dog is unable to completely empty their bladder because of the blockage, the built up pressure may force leaking. - Hormone-responsive incontinence
This occurs most commonly in female dogs though it can occur in male neutered dogs as well. This happens after the pet is neutered and may occur months or years after the actual procedure. It is more common in larger breeds of dogs. - Age-related incontinence
This is a more natural form of incontinence as it results from normal aging. This can result from a weakening of muscles or an overall susceptibility to disease that younger pets don’t have. Older pets can also become senile and not realize that they are urinating.
- Pyometra
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Cystitis
- Diabetes
- Kidney Disease
- Cushing’s Disease
- Cancer
There are other, less worrying, reasons why your dog might be peeing more frequently, too. In higher temperatures and warmer weather, your dog is likely to drink more water, which increases the need to urinate. Dogs also drink more after exercising, especially if that exercise has been intense — such as a long run or a swim.
Still, with so many potential causes, if your dog has suddenly begun to urinate noticeably more than usual, don’t guess the issue. This will need your veterinarian to make a diagnosis as part of the process of treating the problem.
Some tests used by vets in diagnosis might include:
- Blood and urine testing
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Urine cultures
- Cystoscopy (endoscopy of the urinary bladder through the urethra)
- Helical computed tomography (CT scan)
All being well, your vet will conclude a diagnosis to answer your question of ‘why is my dog peeing so much?’ and recommend a course of treatment to resolve the problem.
Some common treatments include:
- Surgery
- Medications – which drugs are prescribed depends on the cause. If no specific cause is determined, the veterinarian will likely prescribe drugs in trial periods and monitor results to determine if the treatment is successful
- Hormone replacement therapy
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Clearly, if your dog has medication to treat the issue the recovery period will be short, providing the course of medication has been completed and there are no side effects.
Surgery has a longer recovery timeframe, with a post-surgery period that may include follow-up appointments with the veterinarian. Should pharmaceuticals or hormones be administered, you will likely need to monitor effectiveness and try multiple treatment options to find something that works.
In all courses of treatment, you will need to monitor your pet’s urination frequency, duration and severity to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. Do contact your vet if, at any stage, you have concerns about your pet’s recovery.
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