What Are the Causes of Bladder Control Loss in Dogs?

Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control in dogs is an involuntary passage of urine that can be constant or intermittent. Urinary incontinence can cause inflammation of your dog's skin around the genital area due to urine scalding.

Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence

Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in dogs. This can be congenital or acquired, usually (but not always) resulting after a spay or neuter. This also is known as estrogen-responsive incontinence.

Ectopic Ureters

Ectopic ureters is a common birth defect causing urinary incontinence. The ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys, are not attached to the bladder as normal. The ureters connect straight to the vagina or rectum, which causes continuous dribbling of urine.

Age

As your dog ages, the muscles at the base of the bladder that control urine passage become weakened causing an involuntary dribbling of urine.

Spinal Cord Injury

Injury to the spinal cord can interfere with muscles of the bladder causing loss of bladder control.

Excessive Water Consumption

An excessive consumption of water may cause incontinence due to the bladder simply overflowing. Excessive water consumption is usually caused by an underlying disease such as Diabetes mellitus, Cushing's syndrome or kidney disease.

References

• Urinary Incontinence
• Diagnosis and management of canine urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence
• Urinary Incontinence

Resources

• Urinary Incontinence in Dogs