Dedicated to comprehensive dental care for pets of all ages, Naperville Animal Hospital also offers a special Senior Wellness Plan for older animals. Through this program of regular care, Naperville Animal Hospital screens for and treats urinary incontinence and other issues of old age.

1. CAUSES OF
URINARY
INCONTINENCE IN
SENIOR DOGS
Naperville Animal Hospital

2. Introduction
■ Dedicated to comprehensive dental care for pets of all ages,
Naperville Animal Hospital also offers a special SeniorWellness
Plan for older animals.Through this program of regular care,
Naperville Animal Hospital screens for and treats urinary
incontinence and other issues of old age.
Older dogs carry an increased risk of urinary incontinence, many
cases of which develop as a result of low hormone levels.This is
particularly common in spayed female dogs, who may also be at
risk of reduced urethral sphincter control. Males, by contrast, may
be susceptible to incontinence due to disease of the prostate.
Other causes of senior urinary incontinence include neurological
abnormalities, such as a bulging or rupture of the spinal discs.

3. Senior Dogs
■ Some breeds, such as German shepherds, are particularly prone to
spinal degeneration and more prone to incontinence as a result.
Neurological disorders may cause incontinence for similar reasons,
though the complexity of this process may require specialized
assessment to develop a firm diagnosis.
Finally, some dogs develop symptoms that mimic incontinence,
though the root problem is actually an overproduction of urine or
increased urgency. A veterinarian can help an owner to determine
whether incontinence is the issue, and whether hormone
replacement or other therapies can help. For dogs whose urination
issues point to another problem, the veterinarian can suggest ways
of adapting to the dog's needs.