Loss of Bladder Control in Senior Pets

In a normal, healthy dog, urine is retained in the bladder and released through the urethra when your dog has to urinate. If your dog is lacking bladder control, he is said to have urinary incontinence, which can be common in senior pets, or as your pet ages.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary lack of control of urine generally when your dog is resting or sleeping.

Muscular tissue at the base of your dog’s bladder acts as a valve to prevent the bladder from leaking. Hormones also play a role in preventing the involuntary release of urine.

In female dogs, estrogen assists with this. In male dogs, testosterone assists in the prevention of involuntary urination. As your dog ages, the production of these hormones begins to decrease. If you have a dog which has been spayed or neutered, the hormones associated with this are already lower than the normal dog.

Urinary incontinence may be more common in spayed adult females than males just as it is more common in neutered dogs than dogs who have not been neutered. If old age is the cause, urinary incontinence is generally seen around nine to ten years of age. In males, the problem generally does not begin until ten years of age.

Dogs who suffer from urinary incontinence may also suffer from secondary conditions including urinary tract infections, for example, as it is easier for bacteria to enter the urethral canal when the muscle is weakened. You may need to consult a veterinarian so your dog can be prescribed antibiotics on occasion if your dog has urinary incontinence.

There are medications to assist in the prevention of urinary incontinence. Hormone supplements may also be prescribed to assist in the prevention of urinary incontinence.