Canine bladder problems

Mar 11 12:47pm

Problem : Sandy,a large female desexed cross mastiff bitch, has begun to lose control of her bladder. Urine leaks when she lies down for any length of time.

Solution: There are many causes of urinary incontinence in dogs, particularly bitches. Firstly I needed to exclude infections within the bladder, the presence of bladder stones, called calculi, and the possibility of polyps. Once a urine sample was collected I was able to rule out all of the above.

The most likely problem now became a weakness of the sphincter muscle at the end of the bladder. In some older desexed bitches a drop in the circulating level of female hormone will lead to such a situation.

The dog had however been medicated with hormone replacement therapy with no noticeable improvement, and was quite young. Other drugs are available to help improve the `tone' of the bladder sphincter. One of these was employed with outstanding success. It is likely that the bitch will need continual treatment to control the condition.

NOTE: The exact drug used was determined during the consultation and cannot be recommended as a general statement. Please see your vet if you suspect your dog has the same condition.

9 Comments Report Abuse

1. deescown - Jan 05 09:13pm

Hi Dr Harry can you help please? We have a 2yr old fox terrier x jack russel. We got her in august 2007. She has a weeing problem, no matter whether she is excited or in trouble or sometimes just walks past you, she wees everywhere. What can we do. Thanks Brad, Dee, Trev & Bianca.

2. sharni42 - Mar 01 09:53am

Hi Dr Harry
We too have a fox terrier x jack russell. She is now 8mths old but ever since she was a puppy she had done the same as the above comment. Please help. Thanks Sharon

3. sharkeyd72 - Apr 03 08:01am

I have a male maltese. Since we have now bought a female as company, the male has to wee against any new object in our house. We have no idea on what else to do to stop this, it is getting distressing for all of the family. Both are desexed.
Please help. Thanks

4. kerriemc61 - May 16 07:46pm

i have also a malteese female she is outside all day but as soon as she she comes in the house she squats and wees. also while she is outside she is digging all my plants that are in my garden she ate a 2ft standard rose to the roots. Please help me

5. monaghansarah - Jun 03 07:30pm

I have a male Fox Terr X Maltese desexed b4 he was 4 mths. He's now 2 yrs old & urniates everywhere. In food bowls, on toys, his kennel, at the back door, side of the house, inside the house. I have put down granules to prevent this behaviour but nothing seems to work. Plz help urgently.

6. phillipa.oneill - Jun 04 08:52pm

My 16mth old Gold. Retriever, has EXACTLY the same problem as Mastiff X in the main story. She's had urine tests, artificial HRT Inj. & the Natural HRT tablets at various doses over a 5mth period. She's still leaking! Please advise me of what was used to help the other [profane]. We are now desperate!

7. waz.dmartin - Jun 14 01:40pm

Hi, Our puppy-a pug/bichon cross now 9mths old has been hard to toilet train. She is still having accidents & just urinated on a brand new chair!!! She can hold on whilst we are out however. Her arrival has caused our first dog-a 2yr male pug to also wee inside. About to lay new carpet-help!!

8. griffo652 - Jun 24 03:40pm

Hi Doctor Harry i hope you can help us . We have a 5 months old female pup and she is a German Sheppard Husky cross and the trouble is that she has just start jumping over our decking fence and we are frighting that she will hurt her self . We are hoping you will be able to help us with it that !!!

9. hilouise67 - Nov 17 09:55pm

Hi Doctor Harry, i have a big problem, i have two dogs, a shihtzu and a maltese, i dont know which one of my dogs are doing it but one is urniating on our beds where they sleep with us. As you can imagine what a big problem i have, need advice to deal with it.Please help.