Incontinence can be incredibly frustrating for both dog and owner alike. Owners may mistakenly believe their dog is simply ignoring house rules or has forgotten his or her housetraining. And dogs may have to cope with waking up covered in urine to face an angry owner. Dog incontinence is not a voluntary problem; your dog has not suddenly regressed. Instead, this is a serious medical problem that requires a consultation with a qualified veterinarian. Here are the most common causes of canine incontinence:
Senility and Cognitive Dysfunction
Just like people, dogs' brain functioning can deteriorate with age. With this deterioration can come a loss of housetraining and bladder control skills. If your dog is suddenly having difficulty following house rules or has forgotten basic commands he's always known, he may be suffering from senility. While in most cases senility must be managed instead of cured, some dog trainers have had success re-teaching senile dogs skills they once knew well. Talk to your vet about medical and training options for your dog.
Bladder Infections
Bladder infections are especially common in unspayed female dogs, but any dog can get one. These infections cause an overwhelming and uncontrollable urge to urinate and are especially likely to lead to a dog peeing in her sleep. If your dog is suddenly struggling with incontinence, it may be a bladder infection.
Spay Incontinence
In some cases, spaying a female dog can cause minor damage to her urethra, leading to a condition called spay incontinence. This condition may occur right after spaying or years later, but is normally very treatable.
Breed
Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to incontinence throughout the course of their lives, but particularly as they age. The precise reason for this is unknown but could range from minor anatomical differences to minor differences in brain wiring. Labs, Collies, and Miniature Poodles are especially susceptible to incontinence.
Cancer
Bladder or Ureter cancer can cause a blockage that leads to incontinence. If your dog's incontinence has gotten slowly worse over the course of several months or weeks, this may indicate a more severe problem and you should encourage your vet to check your dog for potential tumors and other blockages.
Injury
A dog with an injury, hip dysplasia, or other muscle or bone pain may temporarily appear to be incontinent because it is too difficult or painful to get around. If your dog has recently fallen and is no longer behaving like she is housetrained, she may have a serious injury that is limiting her mobility.
Anxiety and Stress
Just like people, dogs' medical conditions can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Moving, a new dog, or a new person living in the house can all make dogs anxious. A dog who has a predisposition toward incontinence may become incontinent if he or she is stressed. If your vet can find nothing physically wrong with your dog, it's important to take a look at anything that may have changed in the environment and made her feel fearful.
Whatever the circumstances surrounding your dog's incontinence, it is important that your dog see a vet right away. Incontinence is unlikely to go away on its own, but the earlier the condition is caught, the more effective treatment will be.