Urinary incontinence in older dogs (or any dog, for that matter) is never normal. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby dispels this myth, shares common causes, and explains what you can expect when you seek veterinary care for your dear old dog’s incontinence.
What is urinary incontinence in dogs?
By definition, urinary incontinence in dogs is the involuntary leaking or dribbling of urine. It can occur in both male and female dogs, but is most common in spayed females. Approximately 1% of male dogs and intact female dogs suffer from urinary incontinence. However, that number jumps to 20% in spayed female dogs.
How do you know if peeing in the house is due to incontinence or if your dog is having urinary accidents?
It’s important to point out that “involuntary” is the operative word that sets urinary incontinence apart from a dog having an accident in the house. Let me explain…
A dog who suffers from urinary incontinence does not have knowledge of the accident—at least not initially—because peeing is not done consciously. The incontinent dog is “taken by surprise” by his or her damp hind end. In the case of urinary accidents, a dog typically is aware that urination is taking place while the accident happens.
With incontinence, think relaxed dog lying on the bed or couch experiencing leakage. With an accident, think dog posturing and urinating in an inappropriate location.
Finally, incontinent dogs usually leak a small amount of urine at a time. If the urine spot is large (probably a full volume urination), it is more likely to be a urinary accident.
What are the signs of urinary incontinence in dogs?
Whether your dog is a senior, middle-aged, or young dog, the most common signs of canine urinary incontinence are:
- Dribbling—Your dog might be dribbling urine while walking or standing.
- Bed wetting—When your dog gets up, you might notice a damp spot of urine where his or her hind end was resting.
- Wet fur—Because of the urine leakage, the dog’s fur around the vulva/prepuce and down the hind legs or belly might be damp. This is especially noticeable if the dog has long hair.
- Puddles of urine—You might notice a small puddle of urine collecting under your dog’s hind end. Or you may find small urine spots in various places in the house where your dog likes to sit or lie down.
- Licking of the vulva, prepuce, or hind end—The irritation from urine-soaked fur plus the sensation of the urine rolling out may make the dog lick the vulva/prepuce or the hind end frequently.
- Red skin on the hind end—Urine is very irritating, so your dog may develop red inflamed skin where the dog’s been in constant contact with urine.
- Old urine smell—You may notice a stale urine odor to the skin from where your dog was lying in urine.
Remember, an incontinent dog doesn’t know he or she is urinating while it’s happening and has no control over it. If you notice your dog exhibiting any of the signs of urinary incontinence listed above, contact your veterinarian.
Is incontinence a “normal” sign of aging in dogs?
Before we go any further, we need to clear something up. Incontinence is not a normal sign of aging in dogs. In fact, this is a common myth, and one that I hope you will help me dispel.
Myth: Urinary incontinence is normal in older dogs.
Truth: Incontinence is never normal for old dogs, or dogs of any age for that matter.
If your dog leaves “wet spots” on the bedding (a common sign of incontinence) or is leaking urine, it’s important to talk with your veterinarian. Please don’t do your senior dog the disservice of thinking that incontinence is just a normal part of life now.
What causes urinary incontinence in dogs?
Now, let’s look at the causes of urinary incontinence in dogs, including older dogs. If your dog suffers from urinary incontinence, it could be due to a number of medical conditions. Some of the conditions in the list below more commonly cause senior dog incontinence. Others can affect dogs of any age.
Causes of urinary incontinence in older dogs
The following conditions are more commonly associated with incontinence in senior dogs specifically:
Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and kidney disease
These diseases—diabetes in dogs, Cushing’s disease in dogs, or kidney disease in dogs— cause tremendous thirst. Since dogs with these conditions drink more water, urination increases. It’s simply an input-output equation. If your senior dog can’t get outside to relieve his or her full bladder, a little urine may leak out.
This is called overflow incontinence. And it occurs when the pressure from the full bladder is high enough to overcome the mechanisms that keep urine in the bladder until urination.
It is important to keep in mind that sometimes increased thirst in dogs may also lead to urinary accidents. The reason is the same—they just can’t hold it any longer.
Arthritis or other mobility-limiting conditions
Incontinence is not a specific symptom of arthritis in dogs or other mobility-limiting conditions. However, when a senior dog has difficulty rising and walking, the dog may have “housebreaking accidents” and/or incontinence because it is too hard to get up and go outside. If the dog waits too long to urinate, he or she may leak some urine or consciously empty the whole bladder in the house.
Additionally, sometimes a senior dog is painful or unsteady and can’t posture long enough to fully empty the bladder. As a result, the high residual urine volume may further contribute to incontinence. This is another good reason to take any signs of pain or weakness in your senior dog seriously.
Bladder cancer or urethral cancer
Bladder and urethral cancer can both cause decreased bladder or urethral function in senior dogs, leading to incontinence. Signs of bladder cancer in dogs or urethral cancer are similar to those seen with a UTI, but those conditions are much more serious. This is why it’s important to seek veterinary care for senior canine incontinence—don’t wait!
A note about canine cognitive dysfunction, which causes urinary accidents, not incontinence
It is important to note that canine cognitive dysfunction (i.e. doggy dementia) does not cause urinary incontinence in older dogs. Instead, one of the common signs of dementia in dogs is a regression in house training, leading to accidents in the house. Understandably though, it can be easy to wonder if your older dog is becoming incontinent, especially if you are only finding evidence of the accidents after the fact.
Canine cognitive dysfunction is not curable. However, there are a variety of management options that can help support your dog’s cognitive function and quality of life. Thus, if you think your senior dog could be having accidents due to dementia, please speak with your veterinarian.
Causes of urinary incontinence in adult and senior dogs
The causes of incontinence in dogs on this list can certainly happen in older dogs as well. But they aren’t as specifically connected with being a senior dog.
Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI)
In spayed female dogs, a lack of estrogen (hormonal imbalance) may contribute to incontinence due to urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI). This condition is also called spayed female incontinence, post-spay incontinence, or hormone-responsive incontinence.
USMI is the most common type of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs. On average it will show up about two to four years after the spay. While the mechanism is not fully understood, estrogen seems to play a role in urethral tone, which is necessary to keep urine in the bladder. However, obesity and genetics also contribute to the development of USMI.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infections in dogs of any age can cause significant bladder irritation. In turn, this may lead to urinary symptoms like increased frequency of urination and straining. However, in some cases, a UTI, especially one that has been going on a long time, can also cause incontinence.
Urinating in the house—whether it be in the form of accidents or leakage—is a classic sign of a UTI in dogs. Fortunately, UTIs are very treatable. However, left undetected, they can be very serious.
Bladder stones (often go hand-in-hand with urinary tract infections)
Bladder stones irritate a dog’s sensitive bladder lining, leaving it susceptible to infection. The irritation of the bladder wall from bladder stones, or from the subsequent UTI, can interfere with normal functioning of the bladder. The end result is incontinence. Plus, dogs with bladder stones may have accidents in the house.
Bladder stones may have a genetic component, and may also be related to your dog’s diet. Thankfully, there are options to get rid of bladder stones, such as surgical removal or special diets.
Neurological conditions
The bladder and the sphincter (the outflow gate that opens and shuts during urination) are under control of nerves. Therefore, nervous system dysfunction may lead to incontinence. Some common reasons for a dog to lose control of the bladder include degenerative myelopathy in dogs, dysautonomia (rare condition that causes degeneration of multiple nerves), discospondylitis in dogs, or vertebral malformations.
Spinal injuries
If the nerves of the spinal cord are injured or severed, this has a cascading effect on other parts of the body, including bladder control. I often see urinary incontinence with severe cases of IVDD in dogs (such as a “down” Dachshund.) However, other traumatic spinal injuries such as being hit by a car, stepped on, or falling from a great height can also cause nerve damage and loss of control of the bladder.
Detrusor urethral dyssynergia (DUD)
Male dogs (and occasionally female dogs) can have incontinence due to detrusor urethral dyssynergia (DUD) in dogs, which is also called functional urethral obstruction. This condition is not completely understood yet. But it seems to be related to poor coordination between the nerves that control bladder contraction (to squeeze out urine) and urethral relaxation (to let the urine flow out).
As a result, the muscle of the urethra doesn’t relax well when the dog tries to urinate. Therefore, the stream of urine is weak and the bladder doesn’t empty well. Because there is so much urine left in the bladder even after urinating, and because the dog continues to make urine, the bladder gets overly full. Eventually, the dog experiences overflow incontinence and some urine leaks out.
Prostate issues in male dogs
An enlarged prostate in dogs or prostate disease may cause difficulty urinating or urinary incontinence in male dogs. This is the case because the urethra passes through the prostate. If the prostate is enlarged, it can compress the urethra, leading to urinary issues.
Thyroid disease and other types of metabolic diseases in dogs
Leaking urine can be one symptom of thyroid disease or other diseases related to a dog’s metabolism.
Causes of incontinence in puppies
While not the main focus of this article, it is important to discuss the most common cause of incontinence in puppies (especially female puppies)—ectopic ureters.
Ectopic ureters
In this condition, the ureters (tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder) don’t enter the bladder in the normal location. Instead, one or both of the ureters may dump urine into the urethra, base of the bladder, or other abnormal location. Since the urine isn’t entering the body of the bladder, which has the ability to store urine, it tends to dribble out.
Can medications cause urinary incontinence in dogs?
Although this cause is a bit more obscure, certain medications have been associated with incontinence in dogs. Specific categories of medications include seizure medications and even some pain medications.
It’s worth mentioning too that prednisone for dogs is a “bad actor” when it comes to housebroken dogs having accidents in the house. Side effects of prednisone can include dramatically increased thirst, resulting in a fuller bladder. The end result is a higher chance of accidents and even urine leakage.
Before your dog’s veterinary visit, make a list of medications your dog is taking. Then discuss them with your vet to see if there could be a correlation between incontinence and medications.
How will the vet diagnose incontinence in dogs?
If your dog—whether he or she is a senior dog or not— is suffering from incontinence or having accidents in the house, it’s important to make an appointment with your vet. In some cases, your vet may ask you to bring a sample of your dog’s urine to the appointment. (For instructions on how to accomplish this, check out my article on collecting urine samples for dog lab tests.)
Obtaining a urinary history
In order to get a good idea of what is going on with your dog, the vet may ask you some detailed questions. To help you gather the information your vet might need, consider answering the following questions ahead of time:
- Is your dog able to produce a normal stream of urine when urinating? Or does he or she have a smaller stream or dribbles? Is the stream of urine normal throughout urination?
- Does your dog seem to leak urine more often when the bladder is full or empty (e.g. shortly after just going outside and urinating)? Or does it not seem to matter?
- Is the urinary incontinence worse during certain activities (e.g. sleeping, standing, walking, running, jumping, barking, etc.)
- How often are you noticing urine leakage or finding urine spots?
- Does your dog seem to be drinking or urinating a larger volume than usual?
- Is your dog aware he or she is urinating?
- Has your dog experienced any trauma recently?
- Are you seeing other signs (e.g. increased thirst, weakness, confusion, old dog’s back legs collapsing, bloody urine, being a lethargic dog, etc.)?
- When did the leaking start and has it gotten worse, better, or stayed the same?
- Has anything else changed with your dog recently?
Physical exam and testing
During the appointment, your dog’s doctor will perform a physical exam and check your dog from nose to tail. To determine the underlying cause for your dog’s incontinence, your veterinarian may also run tests including:
Blood tests
The vet may suggest blood tests for dogs such as a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry panel, or specialized testing. The CBC allows the vet to check the dog’s red blood cell count and white blood cell count. And the biochemistry panel looks at kidney values, liver enzymes, proteins, blood sugar, electrolytes, and more. If the vet suspects a condition like Cushing’s disease or thyroid disease, he or she will also recommend specialized blood tests.
Urine testing
The vet will most likely want to run a urinalysis. This analysis of the urine looks for protein, glucose, signs of UTI or bladder stones, etc. in the urine and determines the urine concentration. Plus, to definitively rule in/out a UTI or evaluate the efficacy of certain antibiotics against the bacteria causing the UTI, the vet may recommend a urine culture and sensitivity.
Imaging
X-rays can help the vet detect bladder stones and evaluate the dog’s spine and hips for arthritic changes or signs of injury. Plus, the vet may recommend an abdominal ultrasound to assess the size of the bladder and thickness of the bladder walls. The ultrasound can also detect bladder masses or some bladder stones. And it allows the vet to evaluate the prostate too.
In some cases, the vet may also recommend specialized imaging such as a CT, MRI, contrast cystourethrography (using contrast material to outline the bladder and urethra on an X-ray), or cystourethroscopy (using a camera to look inside the bladder and urethra).
Blood pressure measurement
Ensuring that the dog’s blood pressure is normal is important before starting certain incontinence medications. Plus, an elevated blood pressure sometimes accompanies kidney disease and other conditions.
What can you do for incontinence in dogs?
The treatment for your dog’s incontinence will depend on your veterinarian’s assessment and the results of the testing. That’s why it is so important to talk with your vet sooner rather than later. Your veterinarian’s diagnosis is the foundational piece that identifies the trajectory for treatment.
Administering medications for urinary incontinence in dogs
Some causes of urinary incontinence in dogs can be managed with medication. For example, dogs with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) may respond well to an estrogen supplement such as Incurin® (estradiol) or diethylstilbestrol (DES). Or they might benefit from medications that increase the tone of the urethral sphincter such as Proin® (phenylpropanolamine).
Additionally, dogs with detrusor urethral dyssynergia (DUD) may show some improvement with medications that relax the muscles that make up the urethra.
Pursuing surgery for dogs with USMI
There are several surgical treatment techniques that may be effective for dogs with USMI. Generally, these procedures are reserved for dogs who do not respond to medical therapy or cannot tolerate medical therapy. Should your dog fall into this category, you can consult with a veterinary specialist near you (usually a surgeon) to discuss the options.
Addressing the underlying problem
Incontinence in senior dogs may be temporary if it is related to an underlying condition. Resolving the UTI or bladder stones may also resolve the dog’s incontinence once the bladder becomes less irritated.
Treating diabetes or Cushing’s disease should address the dogs’ increased thirst (polydipsia) and increased urination (polyuria). This in turn will decrease or eliminate the overflow incontinence.
Relieving arthritis pain in dogs can help them get up to go to the bathroom and posture long enough to empty their bladders. And the list goes on…
Managing incontinence in senior dogs
Some conditions that cause canine urinary incontinence don’t have an easy fix. And other conditions, such as spinal injuries, may be permanent. In these cases, the best plan is to figure out how to manage the urinary incontinence to maintain a good quality of life for your dog.
Here are 4 tips for helping your incontinent dog:
- Prevent urine scald!
- This is probably the biggest issue I counsel dog owners about when managing incontinence. Urine is extremely irritating to dogs’ skin. If left in contact with the skin, even sometimes for short periods of time, it can essentially burn them. Urine scald in dogs can lead to very dangerous skin infections, and is quite painful. I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring incontinent dogs are kept clean and dry to keep urine scald at bay.
- Consider dog diapers.
- No one wants to constantly clean up urine in their house. And an incontinent dog can even threaten the human-animal bond due to the frustration of frequent messes. In some cases, doggie diapers (or even belly bands for male dogs) may be helpful to contain the mess in dogs whose incontinence cannot be controlled or managed otherwise. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to be fastidious about hygiene if using diapers to prevent urine scald and other issues. For this reason, dog diapers should be used with caution.
- Place waterproof covers over bedding.
- Placing an absorbent but waterproof pad on the couch, bed, or in other places where the dog likes to lie down can help protect your furniture and make clean up a bit easier. You can get disposable “pee pads” or buy washable pads. Again, the big thing is ensuring that you change them frequently so your dog is not lying in urine.
- Increase the frequency of walks and “potty breaks.”
- For many causes of incontinence, the more your dog pees outside, the less your dog will pee inside. However, dogs who have trouble emptying their bladder (e.g. dogs with DUD or those who have poor mobility) may still be prone to leaking urine even after going outside.
DO NOT limit water intake to address urinary incontinence in dogs
If you notice that your dog is leaking small or large amounts of urine, limiting your dog’s water intake may seem like a common-sense solution. However, it is definitely the wrong thing to do.
In my 25+ year career as a veterinarian, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve performed a water deprivation test. In those few cases, it was done only after other diseases had been ruled out and with very specific safety instructions.
At home, limiting water intake can make certain dogs very sick, even to the point of a life-threatening crisis. Please ensure your dog continues to have access to fresh clean water at all times.
Watch out for UTIs in dogs with incontinence
The last thing to note is that incontinent dogs are more prone to developing urinary tract infections, even if they didn’t start out with one. Leakage occurs because the process of the urine moving from the bladder to the outside world is not appropriately “secure.” Unfortunately, this also impacts the dog in reverse. Bacterial pathogens from the outside world are more likely to ascend the path into the bladder on the inappropriately “open highway.”
Female dogs are especially susceptible to these ascending urinary tract infections due to the female dogs’ shorter urethras.
Incontinent dogs, therefore, may have a primary or secondary urinary tract infection. It’s hard to know what came first—the chicken or the egg. No matter the cause, incontinence should be taken seriously.
If you notice dog incontinence, speak to your vet
Incontinence in dogs is never normal. So if you notice your dog is dribbling or leaking urine or you are seeing urine spots on the bed, blankets, etc., talk to your veterinarian. He or she is your teammate in caring for your dog’s health and wants to help your dog. Together you and your vet can find the cause of your dog’s incontinence and make a plan to address it.
You know your dog better than anyone else, and your observations are your dog’s first line of defense in staying healthy. If you are worried that your dog is incontinent, please speak up. Your dog will thank you!
What questions do you have about urinary incontinence in dogs?
Please comment below.
Just wanted to say “Thank you!” This is a gem of a comment section. So much information shared with dog owners here. I value all of your articles, not just for the info, but also for the readability. For me, the more I know about various medical issues, the quicker I can pick up on symptoms and get my baby to the vet.
Thanks Again!
Hi Kimberly,
I really appreciate the positive feedback about the article. Thank you for being a part of our senior dog owner’s community!
Our sweet 15-year-old golden isn’t having urinary incontinence, but she has lost control of her poop over the last 6 months. I used to show dogs and we used cardboard matches to give our dogs about to go into the ring the urge to poop so we didn’t have accidents there… I have gone back to using them at night so I’m not wakened with the poop odor. She does go when I match her… so she still feels the sensation of a cardboard match (or two) in her anus. . I have been taking her out more often too. When we walk, she used to stop to poop like dogs normally do. Now, she doesn’t slow down at all. She keeps walking but drops poop behind her. She’ll be lying on the sofa and I smell the tell-tale odor… and sure enough, she’s pooped w/o knowing it. (When we got our last sofa, we got one meant for outdoors with easy-to-clean fabric… and, thankfully, her stools have been well-formed ) I feel bad for her because it obviously upsets her once she realizes she’s gone. She walks every day and still plays. We went thru the Adequan loading for some joint stiffness… and now are on maintenance. We 1st tried librela, but she just wanted to sleep with it. She loves to eat, but on librela, she struggled to rise to eat. We stopped it after 2 monthly treatments. Is there anything to help her get back her control of her poop?
Hi Linda,
I am sorry you are dealing with this worrisome issue with your senior pup. She is very lucky to have you taking such good care of her and looking for ways to improve her quality of life. Once the nerves have lost their function to this area of the body, I am not aware of a good way to restore function. You can try adding extra fiber to her diet to see if the extra bulk in the feces helps keep it from leaking out, but I am not very hopeful that this will offer the solution you are seeking. Unfortunately, fecal incontinence usually leads to making a tough decision about quality of life. Wishing you comfort and clarity as you navigate this difficult path and give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
My German Shepard Willa, 14yo developed incontinence a couple of years ago – I found a supplement by VetriSciences called ‘Bladder Strength’ which I give to her at the highest recommended dose, and it had very successfully controlled the incontinence. If I forgot to give it to her for 2-3 days it returns like clockwork, and resolves again when I give her the supplement consistently.
Until 2 days ago – 3 days ago she had a cytopoint injection for allergies. I read online that cytopoint has urinary incontinence as a side effect in 8% of dogs – what should I do? (also waiting to her back from her vet).
Hi Simon,
I am sorry Willa is experiencing these issues with urinary incontinence. If this is truly a side effect of the cytopoint, then I would assume once the medication is out of her system the incontinence would resolve. I do think it was wise to contact your vet and let them know about this new development. They may want to do some testing to rule out other causes such as a UTI. Hoping for clear answers and an easy solution. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best.
My dog became incontinent after an allergy medication – I stopped giving it to her after the 3rd day when I correlated the change. The vet had given it to her alongside antibiotics and eye drops for a scratch, thinking she had allergies that made her scratch her eye.
He then wanted to do a cytopoint injection since it didn’t have steroids which is what he thought caused incontinence (from the allergy pill). Ever since that injection, she’s been incontinent. I knew I should have said no. He didn’t like the look of her paws and I told him I changed her food and they were clearing up, and I should have said no.
3 years later and we still have issues, though not as bad as others and I’m thankful our pups is still around! It’s mostly an issue overnight, even if we take her to pee right before bed. Some nights it’s a little dribble and some mornings we wake to a full diaper. That’s with the Proin. All vets just chalk it up to her age even though this all started when she was only 7 and she’s a pretty healthy dog besides the urine issues. Good energy and demeanor and appetite, etc.
Hi Kym,
I am glad your girl is still doing well despite her issues with urinary incontinence. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you both many happy years ahead!
My 13yr old Shih Tzu Bleu, just has eye surgery about a week ago, he had eye enucleation on his left eye. Prior to the surgery my boy was healthy, for pain he’s on gabapentin and Clavacillin to prevent infection, within the last week he has developed urinary incontinence. I was wondering is it’s a side effect from any of the medications or it is normal since he’s an older dog that experience a traumatic surgery. He has an appointment with the vet tomorrow. I’m praying it’s nothing major.
Hi Rosanna,
I am sorry Blue has been through so much over the past few weeks. It is quite possible the gabapentin is causing some mild sedation and contributing to the urinary incontinence you are now seeing. I still think it is wise to have your vet to a thorough exam and rule out any other issues that may be causing a problem. Hoping for clear answers and an easy solution. Best wishes to you and your sweet boy.
My male 12 yr old husky has been having some dribbling the past couple months. He tends to dribble more and more lately. We have an appointment with the vet in a week and a half. It’s a new vet so getting an appointment for a new client takes a bit longer. I also travel for work so we have to change vets every few months because we are in a different location making it difficult to get him into a vet. I have to use belly bands for him because he leaks a lot. His skin around his genital area is very pink. I try to keep it clean and use a lidocaine/hydrocortisone/colloidal oatmeal shampoo for that area at least once a week. I also give him one aspirin a day (one that is formulated for dogs). It seems to help him with his joints as he moves better and wants to play more with my younger 2 dogs the days I give him the aspirin versus the days he doesn’t get it.
A previous vet suspected he may have cushings disease which would explain a lot of his other symptoms too..
Is there anything else I can do to help keep him comfortable until his vet appointment?
Hi Michelle,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior Husky. Without examining him myself, it is hard to offer specific advice. I am glad you had a vet visit already scheduled. How did it go? Did you get the answers you needed? Hoping all is well and your sweet boy is happy and comfortable. Best wishes to you both!
Hi! My lab/aussie 50lb female is almost 16.5 years old. She was diagnosed with kidney failure about 14 months ago and started Incurin a few month prior to that due to incontinence issues. She takes the medication daily but lately I’ve noticed she starting to dribble again, occasionally leaving small puddles behind. I know she has some other issues that are impacting her back legs and in the past 6 months she developed some fecal incontinence. She still seems happy when she sees us and finds joy in a short walk around the block, so I don’t know that we’re ready to put her down yet, or maybe we’re being selfish. But my question is, does there come a point in time when the Incurin is no longer effective? Most nights she wakes us up in the middle of the night to go outside urinate as well. Any insight from your experiences would be appreciated! Thank you!
Hi Maureen,
I am sorry your senior girl is having these ongoing urinary issues. It is possible for the body to stop responding to the medication or have a decreased response with time. Also, some of the incontinence issues could be related to decreased cognitive function. Dementia or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is very common in senior and geriatric dogs. Here is an article with more information: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
Hoping you can find a way to maintain her quality of life for as long as possible. Praying for your strength and comfort as you navigate this difficult path.
I have an almost 2 year old Doberman female . She is leaking at night mostly laying on my bed. Sometimes during the day. I was able to afford a teleheath about 1 month ago. He gave her some antibiotics. It made it stop for about 3 1/2 weeks. Now it’s back . And like another person that commented above I just don’t have the money to do it again. I read that doxycycline
Is use sometimes. I have some . My teenage girls use it for acne relief. Is it ok for me to try that for her ?
Hi Shannon,
I am sorry your Doberman is having these issues with leaking urine. I understand how finances can sometimes limit our ability to do what is best for our pets. Without knowing the cause of this problem, I can’t recommend using antibiotics. Even if you knew for sure that your girl had a UTI, doxycycline is not a great antibiotic for these types of infections and likely would not resolve the issue. Unfortunately, the only way to get to the bottom of this would be to take your pup into a veterinary clinic for an in-person exam and testing. Hoping for quick answers and a clear path forward with treatment. Wishing your girl all the best and praying for relief.
My boston 14 years old and he started leaking in the night. last week. We well be taking him to his vet tomorrow. I appreciate the information you posted about this type of problem so we know what to expect when we take him to his vet.
laureenmcd
Hi Laureen,
I am glad you are planning to have your pup evaluated by your vet. Hoping for clear answers and an easy solution for your sweet boy!
You know, I read one or two of the replies that you made back to peoples comments and I just want to thank you because I’ve been scouring the Internet because I am not able to take my dog to the vet at the current moment…but I will…. just other things in life at the moment as far as money and…life…And I read the things that you said back to them and I want to thank you for not only what information you give back to people but for this entire site of information. I as well have an older dog 13 to 14 years old and accidents are not her thing but she has been having incontinence issues and I have a two-year-old running around and the two things just don’t mesh well and I’ve been trying andddd trying to find anything just to hold her over until I can get her to a vet, I have been charged mysterious charges that I was not previously told about through talking to online ‘vets’ and things like that and I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate just reading what you have said and getting that information and absorbing it, and I haven’t read all of the other peoples comments and your responses to them, but I plan to in case anything applies to me and my dog, I hate to see her this way! My main point of my comment is to just thank you and thank you again lol I’m not needing advice necessarily it’s just more of an, I appreciate how much you care about animals, comment…. because in all of my searching to help my dog I haven’t found much…if any…of this…or you…. I know that nothing is going to help me except for going to see a vet in person, but it was very nice and refreshing to come across this site, thank you. (As well as I am sure there will be something that will help us among this site and among the comments that I may not already be doing)
Hi Jo,
Thank you so much for the kind words! You really touched my heart, and I am sorry life has placed you in difficult circumstances. There are so many different possible causes for incontinence in senior dogs and it is impossible to make a diagnosis without an exam. But I do want to make you aware that dementia/canine cognitive dysfunction can cause incontinence, and this is often overlooked. I am not sure if your pup is dealing with cognitive issues, but they are very common in senior dogs. Here is a link to another article with more information just so you can have an informed discussion with your vet when the time comes: Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
Hoping you can find the help and resources you need to continue caring for your sweet girl. Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work! ♥
How safe is the operation to remove bladder stones? My concern is my dog is 14 years old and the thought of sedating him seems dangerous at this point. He is starting to leak urine where he lays down at times. Any tips that I can do to help ? Thank you
Hi Carolyn,
Bladder surgery is fairly safe but comes with the same risks as any anesthetic procedure. If your boy has bladder stones, then he is at risk of a stone traveling down the urethra and causing a urinary blockage which is a medical emergency. You mentioned your pup is leaking urine when he lays down. This could be a sign of dementia/canine cognitive dysfunction, but other medical causes would have to be ruled out by your vet. It might be a good idea to use male wraps or diapers when he is inside to prevent these unwanted accidents. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for your senior guy.
1. Is My Dog Too Old for Surgery?
2. Is My Dog Too Old For Anesthesia?
3. Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
Hi, I have a chihuahua mix that if I leaver her longer than an hour or so will pee all over the house near a pee pad (and trust me, she has multiple options) , but not on it and on the rug. She can get her diaper off, she has my other dog as a companion and they are usually snuggled up when I go somewhere. Rarely, like 10% of the time, it’s smack dab in the middle of the pee pad. Also, when I’m home, she “sneaks off” into the other room and pretends to go to bed and actually pees somewhere in secret. I take her out at least every couple of hours and she makes it through the night. She has extreme seperation anxiety as I have a FURBO and it’s going off every couple of minutes while I’m out. What to do, what to do!?
Hi Jessica,
I am sorry you are dealing with this frustrating behavior with your little pup. Unfortunately, what you are describing sounds behavioral and more like a regression of house training. It is always a good idea to get medical causes ruled out first. So, I encourage you to call your vet and discuss your concerns. They may want to do some routine lab work and make sure your girl doesn’t have a UTI. There are lots of great ways to help reduce stress and anxiety (calming treats/supplements, sprays, collars, shirts, CBD products, medications, etc.). Your vet can help you navigate this difficult path and offer guidance. Wishing you all the best of luck and hoping your girl can get things turned around quickly.
Our 14 year-old lab/heeler mix (female) has just recently developed incontinence- within the past week. No other signs of ill health. After reading your advice, I plan to take her to our vet. Are there specific things I should ask about, or testing I should request? I’m hoping it’s as simple and treatable as a UTI. But if the tests for that are negative, what’s the next line of investigation? Thanks.
Hi Joy,
I am sorry your girl is having urinary issues. With such a sudden onset, I would be more suspicious of a medical cause than behavioral. If testing rules out the possibility of a UTI, your vet will probably want to do some blood work to check kidney function and maybe imaging such as x-rays or ultrasound. These will help to rule out the presence of stones or a mass in the bladder. Also, with her advanced age, you do have to consider if dementia or cognitive dysfunction is playing a part in these new symptoms. I am glad you are planning to have your girl evaluated by your vet. Hoping for clear answers and wishing you all the best!
My 13 year old pug who began having incontinence issues about 4 years ago. As first it was minor, she would walk and some feces would fall as she walked. It has gradually gotten significantly worse to where she is constantly urinating, it can be when she walks, as soon as she drinks water she urinates, sits or lays down. I have tried to bring her out more frequently but when she is picked up, she urinates. Her urine has very strong odor as well.
She has had neurological issues since a puppy and the vet has attributed the issues to that. I have done my best to maintain but it is starting to negatively affect both her life and ours. I have given her antibiotics for the odor but it comes back. I’m just not sure what to do at this point.
Hi Shannon,
I understand your concern for your girl and can see how frustrating this situation must be. Is your vet aware of how severe this issue has become? It might be good to ask them about trying a medication for urinary incontinence. Also, have you tried using diapers? I know this won’t stop the urination, but it could lessen the burden of constantly cleaning your house. Also, if your pup is not on a probiotic supplement, I would recommend giving that a try. It is amazing what benefits you can get from improving gut health. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. If you think her condition is declining and she is struggling, she may have entered the window of time where saying goodbye is the most loving option. I will attach links to other articles that offer guidance on how to make that difficult decision and have great advice from other readers as well. Wishing you strength as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
Our German Shepherd just turned 11 years old, he had a surgery a month ago to remove bladder stones. He was losing weight before his surgery but since he’s lost even more. Radiology suggested he’s showing signs arthritis in his back spine and hips. He eats normal; he’s only on urinary prescribed food and seems to be hungry all the time which is normal for him and drinks normal. From time to time he dribbles pee inside after we take him out. I’m just terrified now and worried every time he goes out that he could be getting stone again but last appointment labs came out ok . He was on prednisone recently but that made his stools way too soft serve like so we stop it and our making another appointment to see what else can help. I just want something to help him gain some weight back our poor thing. He’s so strong!
Hi Sabrina,
I understand your concern for your Shepherd with the issues he is currently experiencing. I can only imagine how worried you must be and know you would do anything to offer him relief. I hope your vet can find some answers and recommend a treatment to ensure your boy remains happy and comfortable. Wishing you all the best and praying for healing.
Hi, my 9 year old boxer, spayed, has been leaving wet spots while she sleeps. The spots do not smell of urine nor does she appear to leak while awake. Are there any other ideas of what this could be other than a uti? She has a vet appointment this next week. Thank you for your time and help.
Hi Kim,
I understand why this “leaking” has you concerned and puzzled. Of course, without examining your pup myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. But I am suspicious that this could be urinary incontinence. It is more common in spayed females, and it would make sense that it is happening when she is in a relaxed state (muscles relaxed). I am glad you already have an appointment scheduled to have her evaluated by your vet. Hoping for quick answers and a clear path forward.
Hello,
We have a 15 year old cavalier. within the last week he has had multiple accidents in the house; I can’t quite tell if he realizes he is going. Some of the time it’s dribbling throughout the hallway or long stretches of places and not just one spot which makes me think he might be starting to lose control of his bladder. This is sometimes within not even an hour post previous potty time. He has refused to eat once during this time but then wanted food a few hours after their usual breakfast feeding. He does seem to be more restless, and pacing more lately.
Thank you.
Hi Kayla,
I am sorry your senior guy is having issues with incontinence. It definitely sounds like something that needs to be investigated. There are just SO MANY possible causes it would be impossible to make specific conclusions without examining your boy myself or performing some tests. Your best bet is to contact your vet and schedule an exam. They can help guide you through the process of getting a diagnosis and finding the right treatment. I am hopeful you will find a way to offer your pup some relief and improve his quality of life. Wishing you both the best of luck!
My 16yr old dog, who is blind & deaf, has been constantly urinating on her bedding for over a year and more. The moment clean bedding is introduced she pees on it. She also uses the kitchen floor during the day & night despite having access to the garden & the odd walk. We don’t walk her as much as it is a bit of an ordeal for her nowadays. I’m constantly washing bedding and my home has been defrocked of soft furnishings as she pees on them too. Is this something I just have to live with?
Hi Allison,
I understand your frustration and am sorry you are in this difficult situation. From what you describe, I am suspicious your pup might be experiencing some early signs of dementia. This can make preventing accidents in the house almost impossible. Have you tried using diapers? You could just have her wear one when in the house but still allow her outside time to urinate as normal. Also, please make sure your vet is aware of this issue. It is always good to rule out possible medical causes and there could be a supplement that might help reduce the severity of her symptoms. Make sure you are giving yourself lots of grace. Caregiver fatigue is very real and the stress of constantly cleaning up accidents and washing bedding can take its toll. ♥
Hi, Have you ever heard of a dog no longer being incontinent after a few years on Proin.
My Belgian Malinois, Molly, is 10 years old. She had been on Proin for a few years and I was going to switch to Incurin. However, I stopped giving her Proin a couple weeks ago and there has been no accidents or leakage whatsoever. What is you experience with this situation.
Thank you!!!
Hi Laura,
Wow that is very interesting. I have not heard of any cases where urinary incontinence resolved on its own unless it was caused by trauma or some other injury. I did some research and did not find any mention of this either. I am glad Molly is doing well and seems to be symptom free. Make sure your vet is aware of this change so they can follow up to make sure everything checks out ok. Thank you for sharing and good luck!
My senior dog (13) who has been incontinent for 4-5 years recently had to go off Proin ER because of new meds she now has to take for a heart condition (degenerative disc disease). When I asked my vet about the incontinence and her not being on the Proin ER, she said the same thing as Laura McGrath’s comment on your page on July 23rd; specifically, my vet said there’s a chance that my dog’s incontinence might go away because she had been on the Proin ER for a few years, If the leakage comes back, my vet said she could put her on a different medicine than Proin ER.
So, she’s now been off the Proin ER for a couple weeks and hasn’t had any problems with the leakage after sleeping. However, twice this week she has actually full-blown peed where she had been sleeping. I assume that’s related to incontinence and she should be back on some incontinence medicine?
Note: My dog also is developed kidney problems with having protein in her urine that they were initially treating her for when they discovered the heart issue (and fainting/falling spells that she had), so the vet recommended treating her heart issue first until the creatine level is high in her urine.. Just wanted to mention the kidney issue too since I don’t know if that might some how be the reason or cause of her peeing after she had been sleeping and/or not just related to her incontinence. Thanks so much for your input. I know my dog has a couple of serious issues right now….
Hi Stacy,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with so many issues at once. Without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care it is hard to make specific conclusions about these new urinary behaviors. Kidney disease can definitely be contributing to the issue, but I am always suspicious about dementia in dogs at this age. Incontinence can be an early sign of dementia or canine cognitive dysfunction. Please make sure your vet is aware of these concerns so they can help navigate this tricky path. Hoping you can find the answers you need and wishing your sweet girl many happy days ahead.
My 5 year old Boxer (spayed female) has become incontinent suddenly. We took her to the vet and she did at the time, have a UTI. She also had an extremely low heart rate. We discovered that she has hypothyroidism, which has suddenly appeared out of the blue.
We have her on thyroid medication (thyro tab .8 mg) and the vet says her levels are now normal but the incontinence has gotten worse.
We are talking soaking through a human diaper covered by a dog diaper, a comforter, a quadruple folded blanket, sheets, and moisture resistant mattress proctor in the matter of 3 maybe 4 hours.
She is acting like she has never seen food in her life and her fluid intake has severely increased.
We have tried Proin 50 mg and are now on hormone therapy (DES 1 mg nearly a month now) and I swear she is getting worse.
The vet swears it is because she is a spayed female, I think it is thyroid related (as it began when the thyroid issue began). But, they said her thyroid levels are ‘normal’ now?!?!
What are some medications, therapies, or (worst case) surgery for incontinence due to thyroid issues?
Please and Thank you,
Wendy Subler
Hi Wendy,
I am sorry your Boxer is experiencing these severe symptoms. I know you have done a great deal of testing and tried several treatments with no improvement. It may be a good idea to schedule a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. I would want to rule out any other potential causes before going down the path of incontinence treatment. Your vet should be able to make the referral if needed. I am glad your girl’s thyroid level has stabilized. Hoping you can find the answers you need to help your pup get back to living her best life.
My dog did the gingival polyp removal, teeth removal and teeth cleaning on Nov 8. She is 12 years old. The second day after the surgery she was normal. But the third day, she did not sleep and kept walking at home 24 hours. This situation got better after 3 days then we found she did urinary incontinence. She drunk much water as well. Vet told me he used ketamine and diazepam on her. I think whether those two medicine cause urinary incontinence? I did some research and found this side effect was happened on human. Her blood and urine test are normal. The vet swears it is because she is a spayed female, and suggested a medicine for helping control her blander. But I have not given her yet. I found she gets better a little bit. I take her to outside 4 times every day. Also let her use the diaper in the night time. After this surgery, her reactions slowed down. She is old. I want to know whether it is caused by those two medicine or she can be recovered? Thank you. What
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry your dog has developed these worrisome symptoms. I definitely do not think the ketamine or diazepam have caused incontinence. Of course, without examining your dog myself I can’t make specific conclusions. Has your vet done any lab work since the symptoms started? I wasn’t sure if the normal blood tests you mentioned were performed before surgery or after. The first two things that come to mind are kidney dysfunction and dementia. Sometimes there can be underlying kidney dysfunction that is not apparent but can manifest with symptoms after an anesthesia event. This is also true for dementia. Your pup may have been staring to develop dementia/cognitive dysfunction and it was accelerated a bit by the anesthesia. This is not something that can necessarily be avoided and is not related to the medications used. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Unfortunately, there may never be answers for why this has occurred. But I am certain your vet can help guide you through this difficult situation and offer ways to improve your girl’s quality of life. Praying for clarity and wishing you all the best.
1. Kidney Disease in Dogs: Stages and What They Mean For Your Dog
2. Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
3. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
Hi our 13 yo female Toy Poodle In the past few weeks cannot make it past 4-5 hours after bedtime before wanting to go out at 4 or 5am. She wakes us up!
She holds it in, but she used to be able to go 6-8 hours if not more. This changed in the past few weeks.
No diet changes, food, or activities. Water intake may have increased but not much. Same routines. We did notice that she used the emergency pee pad more often when we are home. We would find that she peed on it.
We never had a problem until this.
So is there a potential bladder problem? There is no leakage during day or night or wet bed at night.
We will be taking her to the Vet over the weekend. Any thoughts or comments?
Hi Marc,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and these new changes in her urination habits. Unfortunately, without examining her myself, there are just too many possibilities to make specific conclusions or recommendations. This could be issues from a UTI, cognitive dysfunction, nighttime anxiety, sundowners, incontinence, etc. I am glad you have an appointment already scheduled with your vet. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to get to the bottom of this situation. Wishing you both the best.
we have a 12 year old fixed female havachon, very sweet dog, gone blind,unknown reason,has been for 2 years now. we put her in diapers last year and know she eats the seat out of them and eats the poop and the diaper part. she is 10.5 lbs went to vet yesterday and she is fine otherwise. we are at our wits end about the poo and peeing thing. and eating the diaper off in middle of night 2:30 am. i have to get up to go to work at 4am. and she sleeps on the top of covers. she eats and tail wags and wags when she is taken for a walk. but in the house she just wants to sit in your lap and sleep.
Hi P. Meredith,
I am sorry your senior girl is having accidents and the diapers are a frustration. The only bit of advice I can think to mention is have you tried the cloth diaper covers? They make washable covers with Velcro tabs to cover diapers or male wraps to prevent them from being chewed or removed by your pup. If your dog is small enough, you might also be able to use a baby onesie to cover the diapers and prevent chewing. I am hopeful you can find a way to make this stage of life a little easier for everyone involved. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks for the good info Doc.
My 10 yr old girl just became incontinent this past week and I’ve been reading up on the possible causes and solutions.
She started leaking/dribbling the other day after urinating but yesterday coming back into the house after already going, she just leaked all the way from stairs into the hall and den… Didn’t even know she was doing it. And she’s always been very “self-cleaning” so I knew this was a new development.
She’s had a few chronic issues with her diet and stool, but now she’s got that “old lady” smell mixed with pee scent and it really hits when I get home. Appetite is way down as well as her weight and she feels old and frail when I pet her. She’s a pretty big girl at 80lbs (Portuguese water dog) and she’s been declining in the past two years, but her eyes are still bright and alert and loving. But I can’t help the feeling that this is likely the beginning of the final days.
Your article gives me a little hope that she might be treatable for the underlying or maybe we find it’s a more serious something. Either way, I appreciate being armed with more information before making the vet appointment.
Thanks!
Hi Preston,
I am sorry your senior girl is having these urinary issues. I know how worrisome it must be facing this unknown path ahead. I am glad the article was helpful and will offer guidance for the conversation with your vet. Your dog is lucky to have you in her life advocating for her health and well-being. Hoping for answers and an effective treatment. Wishing you and your sweet girl the best.
Hi I have a Jack Russel who is coming up 17 years old soon
She’s been peeing in her sleep for a while now and also not getting to the door quick enough when she wakes up so has the odd accident . My vets want to do blood tests on her but at her age it’s way to risky for her. I’ve been told there’s a high chance she wouldn’t survive having a general sedation
What other solutions are there for her as my vets are really not being too helpful .
Any advice would really be appreciated .
Hi Ian,
I am sorry your senior girl is starting to show signs of declining health. Some of the symptoms you describe sound like dementia/cognitive dysfunction that is very common in older dogs. I think it would be good to get some details about the testing your vet is recommending. Blood work is the most important first step in getting a diagnosis or ruling out specific issues. Taking a blood sample should not involve anesthesia. This is usually done by using a very small needle and syringe and accessing the vein on the front of your dog’s leg. The only time I have had to use any kind of sedation to obtain a blood sample was for an extremely aggressive dog that would have harmed me or my staff if not asleep for the needle stick. The tiny prick of the needle to draw blood shouldn’t be any worse than when giving a vaccine. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I hope you can find the best way to maintain your sweet girl’s quality of life. Wishing you all the best.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Could Your Dog Have Dementia? Find Out With This Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Checklist
My 9 year old German shepherd has had a recent bite to her side my our other German shepherd. A big knot came up so long story short. We’ve been told it’s an abscess they think all the way to it’s a tumor but it’s never been tested. It popped up in a matter of minutes. Anyway, now she has incontinence she’s constantly trying to pee and she is peeing laying down and she doesn’t even know. She has never had any issues with this. We are so exhausted but will be here 24-7 for her. Any idea what can cause this. And if it’s a UTI or bladder infection would cephalexin help her. She’s on that already.
Hi Tammy,
I am sorry to hear that Lily is now having issues with her bladder. I just finished replying to your other comment you left a few days ago. I apologize it has taken me so long to catch up with these comments. If these new urinary issues were due to an infection, the cephalexin should have resolved the infection if the bacteria were susceptible to it. This means the bacteria may need a stronger antibiotic or an infection is not the root cause. Due to the previous concerns about cancer or hemangiosarcoma, I am worried this may be playing a role in the incontinence. If Lily has cancer, the cancer could have spread and be putting pressure on the bladder or be affecting the nerves that control the bladder sphincter. My best advice is to make sure your vet is aware of this new development. They may be able to have you get a urine sample at home and bring it into the clinic for testing to rule out an infection. I hope you can find the answers you need to help give Lily the best quality of life possible. Prayers for strength and clarity for you and comfort and peace for Lily. ♥
My 11 year-old male Boxer has degenerative myelopathy. He is currently taking aminocaproic acid and just started LDnaltrexone. He’s also taking LOTS of supplements.
Any ideas? I would so appreciate your help with any suggestions.
Thanks!
Katie
Hi Katie,
I am sorry your senior boy is facing such a difficult disease. It is hard to watch them struggle and know you can only do so much to help. Are you asking about ideas to help with urinary incontinence as a side effect of the degenerative myelopathy? There are medications that can be used to help the urinary sphincter work better to help prevent urine leakage. Unfortunately, with the progressive nature of degenerative myelopathy, I am not sure these medications would be of much help. It is probably best to schedule a consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. They can give you recommendations based on your dog’s specific issues and make sure to minimize potential side effects, taking into account the current medications that are being administered. I wish you and your sweet boy the best and pray you have more time to enjoy life together.
What supplement is good for UTI prevention?
Hi Sharon,
That is a tricky question! It really depends on what is causing the UTIs in the first place. There is a cranberry extract supplement specifically for dogs, but it is only effective against one strain of bacteria. Here is a link to another article with lots of great information: UTI in Dogs: Know the Signs, Treatments, Prevention