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December 31st, 2008 by PetGuru

Many dog owners don’t know what to do when incontinence in female dogs becomes an issue.  This problems affects many pets, but their owners either ignore it or are too embarrassed about it to take their dogs to the vet.Female dog incontinence, and its causes and treatments, witll be discussed in this article.

Your Dog Leaks Urine

You’ll probably notice that your female dog is leaking urine, especially when she’s sleeping or she’s very relaxed.In fact, this usually occurs at night.  Owners will notice that when the dog gets up, she leaves a puddle or wet spot on the carpet.

The urine leaking is a nuisance for you, but it’s more annoying for your dog.  Urine is caustic and causes severe skin irritation if it’s in contact with the skin for any length of time.Your incontinent female dog will lick herself constantly, in an effort to keep herself clean.  She may even lick until the area is raw.  Leaked urine burns the area even more, so you can see it becomes a vicious cycle for your dog.

Incontinence in female dogs can also lead to more bladder infections, due to the urinary sphincter being too relaxed.  This makes it possible for bacteria to enter her urethra and cause urinary tract infections.

Is Your Dog At Risk For Female Dog Incontinence?

This problem is common in spayed females, especially the larger breeds, although it can occur in just about any breed.  The problem usually shows up when you dog is between three and five years old. 

Your dog has a muscular valve at the base of her bladder that keeps urine from dripping out.  In female dogs, estrogen helps the muscles of the bladder to stay strong.  You can see that if the hormonal balance in your dog’s body changes, she may not be able to hold her urine.

When a dog is spayed, her uterus and ovaries are removed.  This means that her body is no longer making estrogen, which can lead to a dog that leaks urine.

Treatment For Incontinence In Female Dogs

Vets usually treat this problem with DES, or diethylstilbestrol.This is a hormone replacement for estrogen.The dosage is given daily to begin, but it’s gradually reduced over time to weekly. 

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is also used to treat female dogs that are leaking urine.  This drug is not a hormone, but it was an ingredient in diet pills until it was banned for human use by the FDA.  It’s still approved for veterinary use, though.  Side effects can include irritability, appetite suppression, and changes in blood pressure.

Your dog will need to be on one or both or these drugs for the rest of her life.

Natural Treatment For Dogs With Urinary Incompetence

Herbal pet remedies are becoming a topic of interest for many pet owners.  Humans have been using herbal treatments for various conditions for centuries, and in many parts of the world, they still do.  It’s to be expected that pet owners would wonder whether these herbal pet remedies would work as well for their pets. 

The answer is that they do.You’ll be pleased to know that herbal and homeopathic remedies for pets are safe and effective, plus there are no side effects.They’re also readily availalble, as well as being inexpensive. 

You do need to buy your natural pet remedies from a reputable company that stands behind its products and is committed to providing formulations that are safe for your pet. 

Don’t be embarrassed about your incontinent female dog any longer.  Do yourself and your dog a favor and discover how a natural treatment for dogs with urinary incompetence is both effective and safe.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health.  Discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help your incontinent dog, and find the best place to buy them at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com