When your dog has been a member of your family for many years, there will come a day when you realize that your playful little pup is now a senior dog. Among the many different issues that senior dogs may deal with, bladder incontinence is one of the most prevalent problems. However, there are many different reasons that a senior dog may be experiencing problems controlling their bladder. Before you head to the animal hospital in a panic that something is wrong with their health, get to know more about bladder control issues with senior dogs and how you can handle the issue.
Urinary Incontinence In Senior Dogs Can Be Treated With Medication
If your senior dog only has occasional accidents in the house or simply experience minor bladder leakage when they are sleeping or trying to get up and move around, there are medications that can help treat the condition. A daily pill can help your dog to avoid accidents and to get better control over their bladder so they do not have accidents or leaks while they are in bed.
Oftentimes, a veterinarian will prescribe the medication on a temporary basis, in order to determine if it is effective at managing urinary incontinence issues. If the medication helps to reduce the number of accidents your dog has, then you can continue with the medication on a long-term basis.
You May Have To Come Up With Accommodations For Your Dog When You Are Not Home
Just like senior adults, senior dogs may simply need to evacuate their bladders more often than they did when they were young. However, if you and your dog have always had a routine as far as how long you are gone throughout the day and therefore, how long they need to hold their bladders, this can prove difficult to deal with.
Being away from home for eight or more hours a day may not give your dog enough access to the outdoors, leading to accidents. The solution to this problem depends on your work circumstances. If you can get away and let your dog out for a break during the day, this would be the ideal solution.
On the other hand, if you cannot, you can try dog diapers or wraps to help catch the urine should your dog not be able to hold it during the day. You can also get what are commonly referred to as puppy pads that are absorbent floor covers that your dog can urinate on without damaging your floors.
Dealing with urinary incontinence can be a problem for you with your senior dog. However, there are many different solutions that can help you. Try these options first and if they do not work, you can return to an animal hospital or a veterinarian like Stewartstown Vet Services for further testing and treatment options.
Share27 January 2017
Do you know the types of diseases that are most likely to cause death in dogs? My name is Anne, and I have owned several dogs in the my lifetime. I enjoy training, playing with, and caring for dogs of all sizes and breeds. Throughout my time as a dog owner, I have discovered that there are several illnesses that are common causes of death in dogs and that some breeds are more likely to get these diseases than other breeds. This blog will explain various common deadly diseases in dogs and give advice about how to prevent and treat these illnesses.
