Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

418 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
Treatment: Neurogenic incontinence is treated with long-term catheterization
and antibiotics to treat and suppress infection. Drugs that act on the
bladder may be of help. This type of incontinence is difficult to treat. The
problem may totally resolve, however, in dogs whose spinal cord injuries have
been successfully treated.
Incontinence from Overdistension of the Bladder
This type of incontinence is due to a partially obstructed bladder, caused by urethral
stones, tumor, or stricture. The signs and symptoms are similar to those of
neurogenic incontinence, but the nerve supply to the bladder is undamaged.
Treatment: Dribbling associated with an overdistended bladder is treated
by correcting the cause of the obstruction and placing an indwelling catheter
until the bladder regains its muscular tone. Drug therapy is also beneficial.
Since the bladder is neurologically normal, treatment may eliminate the
problem entirely.
Kidney Failure
Dogs with failing kidneys are unable to concentrate their urine. They have a
large urinary output and must drink more than usual to replace fluid losses. If
they are not allowed to go outside to urinate as often as necessary, they may
begin to urinate in the house. It is important to check kidney function in all
incontinent dogs to be sure the incontinence is not due to kidney failure.
Treatment: Treatment of kidney failure is discussed on page 425.
Other Causes of Incontinence
Another cause of incontinence is ectopic ureters. Females are eight times more
likely to suffer from this congenital problem than males. One or both ureters
may enter the vagina instead of the bladder. There is then continuous drainage
of urine into the vagina. The incontinence of ectopic ureters is present from
birth, but becomes more noticeable at 3 to 6 months of age when housetraining
should be complete. Breeds with a predisposition include White West
Highland Terriers, Fox Terriers, and Miniature and Toy Poodles. Siberian
Huskies and Labrador Retrievers may also have a familial predisposition.
Incontinence in bitches shortly after spaying is usually caused by postoperative
pelvic adhesions.
Treatment: Both an ectopic ureter and pelvic adhesions may be corrected
surgically.
Enlarged Prostate
The prostate is an accessory sex gland in males that completely surrounds the
urethra at the neck of the bladder. The prostate produces fluid that is added to