Understanding Pet Needs

Posted on: 6 September 2022

After the first rush of excitement with a new puppy, you might be surprised and concerned to notice signs of incontinence in your pet. A few accidents are normal for any puppy, especially while settling into its home. But if your puppy is leaving constant dribbles and puddles, it may be a symptom of a larger problem. Check-in with your local vet hospital to screen for these common causes of puppy incontinence and explore your treatment options.

Excitement and Potty Training

Like little children, puppies sometimes get so excited they lose control of their bladders. Pay attention to when episodes of incontinence occur. If, for example, your puppy only leaves a mess while playing or when you arrive home, it might simply be overwhelmed with happiness. Anxiety in a shy puppy could also lead to accidents. In this case, the pup may only need time to adapt to its new life and practice potty training.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections occur frequently in puppies. They most often happen after a puppy holds its bladder too long, such as overnight or while alone for the day. Bacteria in the bladder build up when a puppy can't relieve itself, causing the infection. Incontinence is the most visible symptom of a UTI. Your veterinarian should be able to run a quick urinalysis test to check for a UTI, which usually clears up with antibiotics.

Complications from Spaying

For female puppies, spaying early brings benefits but also risks. While spaying all but eliminates the chances of an unplanned pregnancy, it can cause complications with a puppy's urinary tract. This disorder is called urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. Thankfully, USMI is often correctable through surgery or daily medication. Your puppy will need to visit a veterinary hospital for imaging to diagnose this problem.

Ectopic Ureters

In other cases, puppies are born with anatomical irregularities that impair their urinary tract. The most common form of this is ectopic ureters. Ureters are the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys. When attached properly, they send urine to the bladder, where it stays until your puppy relieves itself. If a ureter instead connects to the urethra, however, that urine has nowhere to go but out. This condition is usually diagnosed via cystoscopy and treated surgically.

Whenever you notice something isn't right with your puppy's health, don't hesitate to contact your local vet hospital. There's no reason to live with incontinence, and your puppy will likely be happier without it as well. With the help of professional diagnosis and treatment, you'll soon be able to enjoy time with your new pet without worrying about leaks and stains.