Urinary Incontinence by definition is when an animal urinates without realizing they urinate or being able to control their urination. It is most common when the pet is sleeping or resting. Urinary Incontinence is most common in middle age spayed female dogs.
Why does Urinary Incontinence occur mostly during sleep or rest?
When a pet is as sleep or rest, all the muscles are relaxed. This includes the muscles in the urethra (the tube that exits the urinary bladder) that normally keep urine inside the urinary bladder.
Why is Urinary Incontinence most common in middle age spayed female dogs?
The hormones estrogen and progesterone strengthen the muscles that keep the urine inside the urinary bladder. When a female is spayed she has less estrogen and progesterone hormones. The male hormone, testosterone, also helps strengthen the muscles that exit the urinary bladder. While urinary incontinence is rare in male dogs, when it does occur it is most common in neutered male dogs.
My female dog urinates just a little bit in her sleep but only a tiny bit, do I need to be concerned?
Often female dogs urinate only a little bit in their sleep to where the urine is on the fur but not enough to wet the bedding. While this is often not enough to bother the pet parents, it is enough to keep the vulva moist and make the dog prone to urinary tract infections and vaginitis. Chronic urinary tract infections can be very problematic as they can lead to kidney infections and formation of bladder stones. Therefore, it is very important to treat urinary incontinence even when it is at a mild level.
How is Urinary Incontinence treated?
Urinary Incontinence is treated by replacing the lost female hormones. The two medications that are often used are Proin which is phenylpropanolamine (similar to progesterone), and Incurin, which is canine estradiol (similar to estrogen). The pet is monitored with labwork and examinations every 6 months. With Proin, the blood pressure is also monitored as pets with high blood pressure should not take that medication.
It is important to rule out other underlying diseases and urinary tract infection first. Pets with an abnormally full bladder (which is common with early kidney disease, Cushing’s Disease, and Diabetes) have more pressure on the muscles and often urinate in their sleep. Pets with abnormal inflammation in the bladder such as with urinary tract infections and bladder stones also have trouble retaining urine in the bladder and are more prone to leakage.