As a dog owner, it is important to always be aware of our dog's health. When they reach adult age they might develop, among other things, bladder problems. This circumstance causes our dog to be in pain and discomfort and brings us an unexpected worry to which we must learn how to adapt.
Urinary incontinence is largely common among senior dogs, and experts have developed a series of treatment options that might even fully cure your dog's bladder issues.
Several reasons may cause bladder problems in our dogs, the reality is that there is not just one way these problems can manifest in our pet. To find what is causing our dog these inconvenient, we must take them to a vet for a correct diagnosis.
Causes of bladder problems in senior dogs
The causes for bladder problems in senior dogs include, but are not limited to:Spinal issues
Our dog can lose bladder control due to spinal or disc issues, and neurological problems. It is seen more often in dogs with long bodies or short legs and happens when their nerve signals are not working properly.
Various diseases
Diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, bladder stones, and cancer are among the most common reasons for our dog to start peeing more often.
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Although infections may be caused by a previous condition, overall produces our dog incontinence plus discomfort and even pain.
Hormonal variation
Incontinence in senior dogs is often a consequence of unregular hormone levels. Specifically, low estrogen levels in female dogs, while in male dogs any fluctuation in their testosterone levels could lead to partially losing bladder control.
How to deal with an incontinent, senior dog
Great news! Recent studies revealed that 90% of incontinent dogs respond positively to medical treatment. If your hairy friend suffers from bladder issues, the first thing to do should be taking them to the vet. In a short time, this unfortunate problem could be left behind and your daily routine can return to normality.
When medicine is not enough to deal with our dog's urinary incontinence, we can take some actions to better manage the situation at home. In the first place, we can take our dog out to walk more frequently. It is especially recommended when they awake in the morning, and shortly before they go to sleep.
Additionally, there are several products we can buy to facilitate the process of taking care of our loyal friend. Things like washable beds and doggy diapers are very useful.
Besides, dogs with bladder problems are prone to skin infections, as they could get constantly wet with urine on their abdomen and legs, leading to irritated skin.
Another negative effect that bladder problems may cause on senior dogs have to do with their emotional state. Senior dogs have received in most cases extensive training, and they use to feel bad when behaving incorrectly. Another practical solution is to use plastic sheets underneath the dog to easily capture and throw away their accidents.
Dealing with urinary incontinence in old dogs does not mean your life will change radically. If you suspect your dog could be developing bladder problems, go see a vet soon to minimize the disease from growing even further.
