Canine Bladder Control - How to Help Your Dog Today
While it may appear a bit unseemly, dog owners should always keep an eye out for canine bladder control issues.
Dogs can be especially vulnerable to infections in the urinary tract as well as formation of bladder stones, and watching for canine bladder leaking or other signs is often the first indicator that a problem is evolving.
If you notice any canine bladder control issues with your pet, try to take notes on what is happening.
This will help your vet later on.
Some of the things to take note of when you notice canine bladder leaking or incontinence should include: * Activity: Does the incontinence happen at rest or play? * Age: How old is the pet? * Frequency: Can your dog urinate normally at all? * Medications: Is your dog on any medications? * Fluid Intake: Are more or less fluids being taken in? * Amount: Is it a few drops or more? * Pain: Does the animal seem in pain when urinating? * Other: Any unusual signs should be reported as well.
When you visit your vet for any type of canine bladder control problem you should expect some tests to be taken on the dog.
At a minimum blood and urine tests will be performed to determine if there is any infection or disease process taking place.
These can also rule out kidney damage issues as well.
If your vet suspects that bladder stones may be present, x-rays may be needed in order to confirm.
In some cases, the vet may need to do an ultrasound exam in order to get a better look at the urinary tract.
Once your veterinarian understands the reason behind the canine bladder leaking, he or she can develop a treatment plan.
The actual treatment will depend on the cause of the canine bladder control problem.
In some cases, surgery may be needed in order to correct a structural problem.
In other cases, drug treatments can be used.
Some canine bladder control problems can be treated with better behavioral training.
Knowing what treatment is best for your dog is something the vet should decide, and only after a proper exam has been conducted.
When the cause of bladder problem is eliminated, the next step is to make sure it does not happen again, particularly if the cause was infection.
Bacterial infection can take hold if 1) your dog is not urinating enough and 2) if the composition of the urine is not right.
The key to increased urination is somewhat obvious, to get your dog to drink more by providing fresh water throughout the day.
The other way to increase moisture intake is to switch to canned food.
An easy way to improve your dog's natural ability to fight infection is to improve the quality of the urine.
Here is where natural supplements can help.
Some herbs can help to naturally restore the PH of the urine and naturally fight any inflammation and the canine bladder control problem.
While behavioral training can resolve some canine bladder control issues, it is important to always remember that in some cases the root cause of the canine bladder leaking problem is physical and must be treated under medical supervision.
Dogs can be especially vulnerable to infections in the urinary tract as well as formation of bladder stones, and watching for canine bladder leaking or other signs is often the first indicator that a problem is evolving.
If you notice any canine bladder control issues with your pet, try to take notes on what is happening.
This will help your vet later on.
Some of the things to take note of when you notice canine bladder leaking or incontinence should include: * Activity: Does the incontinence happen at rest or play? * Age: How old is the pet? * Frequency: Can your dog urinate normally at all? * Medications: Is your dog on any medications? * Fluid Intake: Are more or less fluids being taken in? * Amount: Is it a few drops or more? * Pain: Does the animal seem in pain when urinating? * Other: Any unusual signs should be reported as well.
When you visit your vet for any type of canine bladder control problem you should expect some tests to be taken on the dog.
At a minimum blood and urine tests will be performed to determine if there is any infection or disease process taking place.
These can also rule out kidney damage issues as well.
If your vet suspects that bladder stones may be present, x-rays may be needed in order to confirm.
In some cases, the vet may need to do an ultrasound exam in order to get a better look at the urinary tract.
Once your veterinarian understands the reason behind the canine bladder leaking, he or she can develop a treatment plan.
The actual treatment will depend on the cause of the canine bladder control problem.
In some cases, surgery may be needed in order to correct a structural problem.
In other cases, drug treatments can be used.
Some canine bladder control problems can be treated with better behavioral training.
Knowing what treatment is best for your dog is something the vet should decide, and only after a proper exam has been conducted.
When the cause of bladder problem is eliminated, the next step is to make sure it does not happen again, particularly if the cause was infection.
Bacterial infection can take hold if 1) your dog is not urinating enough and 2) if the composition of the urine is not right.
The key to increased urination is somewhat obvious, to get your dog to drink more by providing fresh water throughout the day.
The other way to increase moisture intake is to switch to canned food.
An easy way to improve your dog's natural ability to fight infection is to improve the quality of the urine.
Here is where natural supplements can help.
Some herbs can help to naturally restore the PH of the urine and naturally fight any inflammation and the canine bladder control problem.
While behavioral training can resolve some canine bladder control issues, it is important to always remember that in some cases the root cause of the canine bladder leaking problem is physical and must be treated under medical supervision.