Urinary incontinence is an involuntary and unconscious emission of urine: urine flows without the dog getting into a position to urinate.
It must be differentiated from uncleanliness, where the emission of urine is voluntary (the dog puts itself in a position to urinate), but occurs in an inappropriate place (usually in the house).
Manifestations of incontinence
The manifestations of incontinence are varied, and depend in particular on its origin. In all cases the dog loses urine without getting in a position to urinate. On the other hand, the quantities (from a few drops to a sometimes substantial volume), as well as the circumstances are variable: incontinence occurs in some dogs rather when they are lying down or sleeping, while it occurs for others when they are active (playing, welcoming the return of their owners), when they change position (get up, go to bed…)…
Incontinence can be intermittent or permanent.
The owner can witness the involuntary emission of urine, for example when the dog is moving, or simply observe the presence of drops or streaks of urine on the floor of the home, in the car, note that the sleeping place is moist, that the urogenital region of his animal is frequently or constantly soiled.
The incontinent dog often presents in parallel with normal urination (voluntary elimination of urine, by getting into position).
Incontinence is a source of concern for owners, especially when bladder leakage is frequent or significant.
Origins of incontinence
Normally, several anatomical devices (in particular a muscle located at the outlet of the bladder, the urethral sphincter) prevent the flow of urine, which therefore accumulates in the bladder. When it is full, the relaxation of this muscle associated with the contraction of the bladder and the pressure exerted by the abdominal muscles allows the voluntary evacuation of urine through the urethra (urination).
Anatomical abnormalities or malfunction of anatomical voiding control devices can lead to incontinence.
Birth defects of the urinary tract: for example, the ureters (ducts through which urine flows from the kidneys into the bladder) may open into the bladder at an abnormal location; Drip loss of urine is then generally observed in a young dog.
Incompetence of the urethral sphincter: this incontinence is due to a decrease in the tone of the urethral sphincter and is classically manifested by leakage of urine during sleep.
This is the most common cause of incontinence. It can especially occur in aging dogs, or following sterilization or other urogenital surgeries. Post-spay incontinence is mainly observed in females (up to 20% of spayed female dogs, according to some studies). It is rare but also possible in males.
Incontinence related to sphincter incompetence can be favored by obesity.
Nervous disorders: the nerve transmission allowing control of the relaxation and contraction of the urethral sphincter is altered, for example during herniated disc, spinal or pelvic trauma, neurological conditions, etc.
In addition to incontinence, the animal can often no longer urinate normally and other nervous signs are generally observed (motor deficit of the hind limbs or tail, faecal incontinence).
Paradoxical incontinence: it follows a partial obstruction of the urethra (by one or more stones, a tumour, etc.). Incontinence occurs when the pressure in the bladder exceeds a certain threshold.
What should I do if my dog has incontinence?
The management of incontinence depends on the cause and requires consulting a veterinarian: he will first ensure that it is indeed incontinence, and in addition to the clinical examination, he may be required to carry out various additional examinations, depending on the diagnostic hypotheses, such as a neurological examination, ultrasound, intravenous urography, etc.
The treatment is medical and/or surgical, depending on the origin of the incontinence. Thus, the treatment is generally medical (and lifelong) for post-sterilization incontinence in the female dog, and aims to increase the tone of the urethral sphincter; on the other hand, the treatment is surgical for a congenital malformation.
