How to Determine Cause of Canine Incontinence

Unlike humans, dogs cannot tell their owners what's wrong with them. One common problem that dogs suffer from is canine incontinence. The incontinence can be caused by several different factors.

Instructions

1. Watch how much water your dog drinks. Drinking too much water can cause a dog to become incontinent. Diabetes and thyroid issues can cause a dog to drink too much.

2. Notice any additional symptoms that they may have. If there are changes in their eating habits or disposition, you should note these and relay them to your vet.

3. Consider the sex of the dog. Certain conditions are more likely to occur in female dogs than in male dogs. This includes a bladder infection and a weakened bladder sphincter.

4. Take your dog to the vet. If the dog is suffering incontinence for an extended period of time, then you should take your pet to the vet. She can assist you in determining the cause of the canine incontinence.

5. Allow the vet to perform any tests on the dog. A urinalysis and urine culture can often point to the cause of the canine incontinence. The results of these tests will let the vet know if the dog has an infection.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no need to overreact when the dog is suffering from canine incontinence. It may be a simple infection that can be treated with antibiotics.

• In rare cases, canine incontinence can be a sign that the dog is suffering from kidney failure.