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This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only. You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet. Urine leakage is a common problem - particularly in older pets, and it is one reason why owners request euthanasia The average age at which urinary "incontinence" occurs in dogs is somewhere between 5 and 8 years. The problem of urine leakage is not caused by a single disorder - there are several possible causes of which the most common are :
Apparent urine leakage will occur if the dog is unable to move through some physical disability or discomfort eg advanced arthritis, or if it loses it's normal brain function (so-called "cognitive dysfunction") which results in loss of normal behaviour patterns, including a loss of house-training. The signs that owners see when an older dog is losing control of urination include :
Many of the causes of urine leakage can be successfully treated but, of course, providing the correct treatment depends upon the underlying cause, so a full veterinary examination is needed which often involves laboratory tests on urine and blood samples. If urine leakage is not treated it can lead to secondary problems including urinary tract infection, so if you notice any of the signs above seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Updated October 2013 | |||