DOG URINARY INCONTINENCE  IS NOT UNCOMMON

If your housebroken dog starts having indoor URINARY accidents, a medical problem called canine urinary incontinence could be responsible.  All forms of PET urinary incontinence should be diagnosed and treated promptly by your veterinarian.  Extended exposure to urine on your pet’s skin is irritating and can lead to secondary complications including pet skin ulcers which are also very common in dogs that are immobilized and/or inactive.

CAUSES OF PET URINARY INCONTINENCE

Estrogen-responsive Canine Urinary Incontinence is a common problem affecting older spayed female dogs.

Canine Cushing’s Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Chronic Dog Kidney Failure result in the production of excessive amounts of urine which may cause indoor urinary accidents.

Canine Urinary Tract Infections can cause dogs to feel the urge to urinate frequently because of bacterial irritation to the bladder wall.

Other conditions that may cause canine urinary incontinence are kidney and dog bladder stones as well as polyps of the urinary bladder and pet cancer of the urinary tract.

Certain medications contribute to increased dog urine volume.  Diuretics, like Lasix, are often used to promote urination in certain types of Canine Heart Disease, which helps prevent excess fluid from accumulating in your dogs lungs.

SIGNS OF PET URINARY INCONTINENCE

In estrogen responsive canine urinary incontinence the primary complaint is that dogs urine leakage occurs unconsciously while the female dog is sleeping and/or resting.  The dog leaves a  “wet spot”.

Canine urinary tract infections cause dogs to produce small amounts of urine more often than normal, which causes dogs to pass small amounts of urine several times a day.

Excessive urinating and drinking are hallmark signs of Canine Diabetes, Cushings Disease and Dog Kidney Failure.  Proper diagnosis is essential to confirm the exact problem so that treatment will be effective.

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Ever since scientists unraveled the dogs DNA or genetic code and found it to be quite similar to human DNA, research into medical conditions and treatments for people and pets has been on the rise.
Recent results from a 2008 survey revealed that the leading medical conditions affecting people, mimic the top conditions plaguing pets.

Allergies, for example rank number one for people and pets. In the past, many mistakenly considered allergies to be exclusive to humans. The signs of an allergy differ between the two species.

Allergic people primarily sneeze and may also get runny eyes whereas itching is usually the primary sign of allergies in pets and some may also be affected with runny eyes. The end result for both is the same and requires treatment for relief.

1. Allergies topped the list. In 2008, there were 63,761 claims made for pet skin allergies. Allergic reactions in pets can result from various agents that are called allergens, including flea saliva, pollen, grasses and/or various foods.

Treatment options for pets are similar in principle to those for people. It involves controlling the pet’s exposure to allergens,in the environment and/or to certain foods, stopping the itching, sneezing and/or runny eyes and boosting internal immunity.

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Dr. Carol,

Thanks for your help with my cattle dog Rigby! As you know, she lost a kidney as a result of an accident. Your advice really helped me understand specifically what was happening with her lab tests. At just two years old when this happened, Rigby still has many years ahead of her. You know, I spent nearly $10,000.00 when Rigby had her accident almost a year ago. So I want to do the best I can for her.

I have always been a proponent of vitamins, and take them myself. Why not do the same for the pups?
Now, with only one kidney, it’s important for me to give her the best diet and supplements I can to maintain optimal kidney function.

With your PAAWS supplements, the Kidney Complex and the diet you recommended I believe we are on the right path to helping Rigby have the best, and longest life she can.

I am feeding the Neumans Own dry food along with their canned as the base diet. I add canned salmon and an egg white for Rigby and typically give Lucy some as well. Then will add chicken, brown rice, or any left over’s that are healthy.

Our new pup, Lucy was just spayed at 6 months, and is taking PAAWS as well. I believe this is the best way for them to maintain a healthy life.

I am really pleased with the improved blood test results for her kidney function, and most importantly the thoroughness of your helping me understanding these tests. I feel now like I can help Rigby enjoy a full life in spite of only having just one kidney.

Thanks again,

Brian
Los Alamitos, California

Hi Dr. Carol,

I was thinking about you the other day, was going to send you a picture of my 2 puppies. Yes I got my Thunder (the shepherd/husky) and brother his name is Jake (lab/shepherd) I also got Jake from the ASPCA. They are doing great.

I miss my boxer dog Buddy so much. I will always be thankful to you so much for how you hung in there with me with my boxer Buddy. Looking back I knew he got sick very fast, and I learned when a dog’s kidney is failing, and you do not catch it when it’s young, little hope for helping. Buddy never showed any signs till he got older, to me he was young only 3. I will never forget the day I finally got him into the vet and they did a blood test and told me. I was shocked, and at the same time I knew something was seriously wrong with him.

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The gene that regulates uric acid in people is responsible for causing bladder stones in Dalmatians

Researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, have discovered a gene mutation in Dalmatian dogs responsible for causing high levels of uric that can lead to bladder stones. Now breeders have what they need to try to eliminate this from the Dalmatian breed. This discovery also gives clues as to the cause of similar problems in people.

Only people, great apes and Dalmatians produce elevated levels of uric acid in their urine and blood. Other dog breeds do not usually produce uric acid.

In people, this can cause kidney stones, hypertension and gout. Gout is a painful inflammation of the joints. In Dalmatians, high uric acid levels often lead to bladder stone formation which often requires surgery.

The good news is that breeders can now control this by specific breeding techniques. They would need to breed their Dalmatian to the normal offspring of the original Dalmatian-pointer breeding that originated back in early 1970. This would result in a normal, healthy puppy that looks just like a Dalmatian, maintains the breed characteristics and is genetically almost identical.

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I wanted to share this with all of our readers, hoping it may be helpful to others whose dogs may have issues with urine crystals.

Q: I recently started my dog, Spider on your PAAWS vitamin supplements. Unfortunately, we’ve discovered that she has calcium crystals in her urine and I have started her on Hill’s U/D Prescription Diet. It states that no additional supplements should be given with this food. Do you think it is safe to continue to give my dog PAAWS or should I wait until her crystals have disappeared?

A: In other cases similar to your dogs, our veterinary hospital has has excellant results keeping these dogs on PAAWS. PAAWS vitamin supplements boost internal immunity, promote healing and wellness. PAAWS does not interfere with the U/D diet, and in our canine patients it helps to promote dissolution of the urinary crystals.

Please don’t hesitate to call me. If you can get a copy of your dogs blood and urine results from your veterinarian and e-mail them to me, I can review them and discuss this with you.
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