Senior Pet Problem: Urinary Incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is a common problem in older dogs,
especially desexed females. It can affect up to 10% of dogs as they age, but is
often left undiagnosed.
Many people only seek help for incontinence when the dog is
leaving puddles when it sits or sleeps. By the time the dog is doing this, it
is quite severe and often they have secondary problems such as a urinary tract
infection.
One of the earliest signs we get of urinary incontinence is
a bad smell. Often the owners can’t pinpoint where the smell is coming from,
but it is most often a slightly fishy smell. This can be a sign of a very mild
incontinence, with the smell being produced by bacteria that grow in the damp
fur and folds around the vulva.
Left untreated, urinary incontinence can significantly
affect quality of life. The effect I find most distressing for the dog is the
way owners will shut the dog outside or not allow it into areas where it
previously had access because of it’s bad smell. This isolation can be very
difficult for an old dog to adapt to.
Urinary tract infections are also quite common in
incontinent dogs, which can be very uncomfortable and contribute further to the
incontinence. In rare cases I have also seen dogs become fly-struck because of
the damp fur and smell attracting flies.
Fortunately in most cases urinary incontinence is very easy
to treat. It normally responds to medication within days, though the earlier it
is detected and treated the faster the response.
In rare cases, particularly when the dog is relatively young
or when they don’t respond to the medication, there is a surgical treatment
available.
If you are concerned your dog may be suffering from
incontinence, please take advantage of our Senior Pet Month and book them in
for a check-up. With a $15 Senior Pet Discount there will never be a better
time.