- Dogs with bladder incontinence will uncontrollably leak urine when sleeping or resting. They may also lick their genital openings frequently, according to Dr. Marty Smith, a veterinarian writing for Pet Education.com.
- Hormones regulate a dog's ability to control the muscle that releases urine from the bladder. Older or spayed and neutered animals have lower hormonal levels. Hereditary structural abnormalities called ectopic ureters can also cause incontinence.
- Age-related bladder incontinence usually occurs in unspayed female dogs older than 8 and male dogs, both intact and neutered, older than 10. Spayed females can be incontinent by age 3.
- Urinary tract infections are common in bladder-incontinent dogs. Its relaxed opening may allow infectious bacteria to enter the bladder through the urethra. Dogs frequently leaking urine on themselves may develop skin irritation.
- Both phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and natural or synthetic hormones including diethylstilbestrol are lifelong treatments for hormonal-related incontinence. Surgeries including neoureterostomy, neoureterocystostomy and nephroureterectomy treat incontinence from structural abnormalities.
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