Young or middle aged dogs may not have incontinence, so you must have the vet rule out other urinary problems in dogs such as bladder or UTI infections or other ailments that can cause urine leakage such as bladder stones, kidney failure, neurologic disorders, hormonal disorders and diseases that increase urine output, such as diabetes.  A urine sample, a culture and other lab tests will determine the cause of the urinary problem.  There are various treatments for canine urinary incontinence which can help to control the dilemma.  Neurologic and hormonal disorders are the most common causes of incontinence in dogs. If the tests come back negative for infection or disease the vet will inquire and investigate the following issues.

1.  Maybe the dog urinates because he can’t get outside
2.  Other medications the dog is using can cause incontinence
3.  Is the dog drinking more water and urinating more
4.  Neurologic disorders affecting the nerve supply to the bladder can cause incontinence
5.  Behavioral causes such as stress or excitement can lead to incontinence

If none of the above issues seem to be the source of the problem the vet will more than likely want to place the dog on either a decongestant or hormones.  A common therapy for urinary problems in dogs (both male and female) is a decongestant that works by causing the sphincter muscle from the bladder to tighten.  Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) or (Proin) works best for dogs that have an occasional problem with canine urinary incontinence. If your pet experiences restlessness, increased heart rate, weakness, pale gums, seizures, or difficulty urinating while being treated with Phenylpropanolamine call your vet immediately.  This drug should not be given to dogs with high blood pressure or heart disease as there have been reports of serious fatal side effects. 

Another treatment, DES (diethylstilbestrol), a synthetic form of estrogen, can be used to treat canine urinary incontinence in spayed females. Estrogen supplements are considered fairly safe, but in rare cases they can cause bone marrow suppression leading to anemia that does not go away when the treatment is stopped. Natural estrogen supplements are available for treating spay incontinence, as are ovarian glandular products. 

For dogs that do not respond to other medications PPA is sometimes combined with DES but only to control difficult cases. Imipramine (Tofranil) is an antidepressant that causes urine retention in some patients, is also occasionally combined with PPA for dogs that do not respond to other medications.

There is help for an alternative to prescription medicine if it is not working for you and your dog.  While prescription hormones and decongestants work to treat the symptoms of canine urinary incontinence, natural medicine strives to create balance in the body to support complete health, relieve ailments, and help prevent future disease. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the natural ingredients in alternative remedies support overall health and functioning and have had great success with stabilizing and preventing canine incontinence.

There are two ways that this disease is transmitted, via contact with the soil or infected feces. The feces of a dog infected with the canine parvovirus will be infected as well and can carry the disease to others. Other dogs don’t even need to come in contact with the feces of infected dogs. The soil will absorb the virus from the feces, so animals can still get sick, both with indirect or direct contact. Humans can’t get canine parvovirus, but they can move the virus around. An example is stepping in canine feces and carrying them in another location, on the bottom of their shoes.

The problem with this disease is that it’s very contagious and it will live for a lot of time once it leaves the dog’s body. It can stay in the soil and still be active one year after it’s eliminated in feces, and even if the temperatures are extreme. Another problem is even after the dog recovers, he will still be able to transmit the disease to other dogs for the next few months. That’s why dogs that recover need to be kept in isolation from other dogs for some time.

The places where the dog has the most chances of getting sick are places where other dogs go, like kennels, parks, dog shows, pet stores and shelters. Between 3 and 10 days will pass between the time the dog gets infected and the moment he will start displaying symptoms. Even though all dogs can get this disease, those that have the highest risks are puppies that are less than 4 months old and a few breeds that seem to be more susceptible, like Dobermans or Rottweilers.

Diagnosis

Every dog is different and will begin the symptoms in different stages. Very few dogs survive without any treatment of any kind. The veterinarian will do a number of lab tests and will analyze the clinical signs to see if the dog has canine parvovirus. He will also need to know what the medical history of the dog is. You should tell the vet the exact symptoms of the disease and how the dog behaves at home. They will try to see if the diarrhea and vomiting don’t have other causes, after which they will do the tests needed to find out if he has canine parvovirus or not.

To find out if he has an infection or not, they will have to do some blood tests. They will also take samples of the dog’s feces, to see if they can find any sign of canine parvovirus in them. One of the tests that will be done is the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay, a biochemical technique that will detect the existing antigens and antibodies. They will use an electron microscope to see if the virus is there. With bots tests, the veterinarian will be able to find if the virus exists in the dog. If the dog was never vaccinated for this disease, the veterinarian will probably be able to find out if he has the virus just by seeing if he has an infection or bloody diarrhea.

There are many possible causes for canine blood in urine, but none are reliably minor and several can potentially lead to your pet’s death.  If you do see blood in canine urine, the first thing to do is get your dog to the vet immediately.  Until you know what your dog has, and how far it has progressed, you are in a poor position to evaluate how dangerous the condition is. Do not delay.

The presence of blood itself can threaten your dog’s health: if blood clots cut off the flow of urine from the bladder so that your pet is unable to urinate the resulting damage to the bladder and kidneys can kill.  When you find blood in canine urine it may be there as a result of a urinary tract infection, internal injuries, infection of the prostate or the uterus, stones forming in the urine, or other causes.   Any of these can be serious.

One of the primary causes of canine blood in urine is a urinary tract infection (UTI), usually caused by e. coli your dog has accidentally transferred from his rectum.  Like e. coli infections in humans, if the infection goes untreated it can lead to a wide range of complications, including kidney failure.  Even in the early stages a UTI can cause discomfort and damage to the bladder and urethra.

Once your veterinarian has made a diagnosis and determined a method of treatment, you can ask if there are any ways you can support or supplement the medicines and therapies recommended.  Some vets appreciate an approach that augments medication and therapeutic diet with holistic approaches like homeopathic treatments.

Better still would be to prevent UTIs before they become critical.  Using antibiotics are not an appropriate preventative method, however.  As well as having side effects on the digestive health of your pet, long-term antibiotic use and broad spectrum antibiotic use as a preventive are known to promote antibiotic resistance in multiple bacterial strains, endangering not only your animal but any susceptible pets who might contract an infection from your dog.  

Natural methods dealing with diet, environment, and natural supplements are a much better approach, reducing the factors that promote bacterial growth while strengthening your dog’s natural defenses.

In any case you will be providing your dog with an antibiotic, an appropriate food, plenty and of water to dilute the urine and clean out the system.  A warm environment, peace and love, and your dog should be well on the way to health.  Just remember, if you see canine blood in urine, you must not delay.  Call your vet immediately and arrange for your pet to be cared for.  His life may depend on it.

This disease affects the hips way ahead of the thighbone does not fit into the hip socket as it should. Wear of the cartilage and damage to the joint occurs causing swelling and pain. Canine hip dysphasia itself is not arthritis but it is the most common cause of hip arthritis.

This is a disease that is inherited from the dog’s parents. Therefore the only way to eradicate the disease is through good breeding practices and not letting dogs with CHD have puppies. this presents a challenge though is not all dogs show that they have this disease and in fact, dogs that show no sign of it may still possess the gene that passes it to their offspring.

Symptoms of canine hip dysplasia present themselves as your dog not being able to get up is easy. Perhaps he’s not as energetic or doesn’t want to run as much and has a hard time standing up after sitting or lying down for awhile. His back legs may look lame and when he runs he might use them both like a rabbit. CHD might cause your dog to be reluctant to go upstairs. And most dogs the symptoms don’t show up until middle age but some may show the disease when they are puppies.

There and no test to tell if a dog carries the gene for CHD but the presence of hip dysplasia can be tested through x-rays and physical exams. An x-ray can let you know how bad the condition has become and using future x-rays to monitor it will let you know If the treatment path you have chosen is working. there are actually two types of x-rays that are performed one gives you an idea of how severe arthritis says in the joint and the other will tell you how loose the hip joint itself is.

Canine hip dysphasia can be treated with surgical and nonsurgical methods. Nonsurgical methods include drugs to help relieve the pain and inflammation of the hip joint. These drugs, Rimadyl, Deramaxx and Ectogesic can be very effectivee and have helped many dogs live happy normal lives. In addition making sure your dog gets good exercise and physical therapy to work the hips and keeping your dog at a slim weight can help relieve symptoms.

Surgical treatments for CHD can also be effective. There are two methods of treatment for canine hip dysplasia one which treats hips which Re: show a lot of arthritis and another which tries to help prevent the progresssion of the arthritis.

One of the procedures- triple pelvic astronomy – is most effective before the joint becomes damaged with arthritis. This involves cuttingg the pelvis and then rotating hip sockets to get them to work better. One new type of surgery, pubic symphysiodesis, is still being studied but hopeful to be effective for very young dogs with canine hip dysphasia.

In some dogs a full hip replacement might be the way to go. This involves replacing both the ball in the socket to allow the dog to enjoy a full life with normal activity. This procedure is used mostly in larger dogs they can be very effective.

Another procedure which is called a femoral head ostectomy removes the top portion of the femur in order to stop a painful grinding at the hip joint. the femur then floats freely forming scar tissue which then acts as the joint. This procedure is recommended for smaller well muscled dogs.

Canine hip dysplasia is not easy to prevent and it’s hard to tell if your dog will become a victim of this. Your best bet is to make sure you buy from a reputable breeder and be sure that the parents of your dog are free from CHD. Make sure that puppies do not have undue stress placed on their hips and that your dog does not gain too much weight and these things can help delay the onset of his disease should your dog be prone to it.

For humans, the decision to make proper dental hygiene part of our daily routine is easy. On the other hand, our dogs rely on us for their care, including taking care of their teeth. Just as humans suffer with the consequences of poor dental hygiene, our pets can suffer, often without our knowing it. Symptoms of poor canine dental health include bad breath, tooth discoloration, gum inflammation, and tooth loss.

Our dogs can give us signals of medical distress and owners have a responsibility to be aware of the signs. When it comes to dental problems, you may notice changes in your dogs behavior or appearance that can be symptomatic of various dental problems. A dog with a robust appetite may not be eating with the same gusto. Bad breath is another indication that something is wrong.

Before blaming the dog food, it might be a good idea to check your dogs teeth. An abscess associated with a bad tooth or inflammation of the gums may make eating painful. Left untreated, dental disease can cause a host of other problems that will be costly to treat and, most of all, very hard on the dog. Infections of the mouth can spread to other parts of the bodies and some form of drug therapy such as a course of antibiotics may be necessary.

Just like human children, there are multiple stages of canine tooth development. And just like children, proper canine dental hygiene starts during the puppy stage. Your veterinary professional can advise you on the best way to acclimate your dog to having its teeth checked and, most importantly, what to look for during the examination. Whether your dog still has its puppy teeth or has grown into its adult choppers, a weekly check of your dogs mouth should become routine.

The best way to keep your dogs teeth, gums and mouth healthy is to keep it clean. The process is quite similar to caring for own teeth and the toothbrush is the tool of choice. In combination with canine toothpaste, brushing will help to remove any buildup tartar and plaque. Avoid using toothpaste formulated for humans and select a paste that is specially formulated for dogs. Canine toothpaste is flavored to a dogs taste making the job of brushing a little easier.

If your dog has a buildup of plaque that is not removed through regular brushing, a trip to the vet is in order. Most veterinarians provide dental services that include deep cleaning of the teeth and gum line. The procedure generally requires that the dog be anesthetized during the procedure. Very similar to the cleaning process for human teeth, the vet will remove plaque, tartar, check for cavities and polish the teeth.

There are lots of reasons to give your dog a selection of chew toys and good dental hygiene is a good one. Chewing helps to remove debris from the teeth and massages the gums. Stimulating the gum tissue helps to promote increased blood circulation. There are a variety of dog treats that claim to reduce the buildup of tartar, but there is no substitute for regular brushing and when needed, deep cleaning.

As the old cliche goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make a veterinary dental exam a regular part of your dogs healthcare regimen.

Diabetes Mellitus

Canine diabetes mellitus is a condition in which your dog’s body is either insensitive to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. Insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas, is responsible for regulating glucose. Symptoms of canine diabetes mellitus include increased urination and thirst, dehydration, and loss of appetite.

The main treatment for this form is a daily or twice a day injection of insulin. You will also need to change your dog’s diet. A diet that is high in protein and fiber is usually best. Your dog will also need less carbohydrates and fats. It is also important that a dog with diabetes mellitus gets plenty of exercise.

Diabetes Insipidus

Canine diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by your dog’s inability to retain water. This rare disease comes in two forms, namely central and nephrogenic. The central form occurs when the pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough of the anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressine. Central canine diabetes insipidus can be caused by congenital defect or disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. It can be treated with desmopressin in the form of nose drops, eye drops, or injections.

The nephrogenic form of diabetes insipidus occurs when the kidneys are insensitive to vasopressine secreted by the pituitary gland. This condition can be caused by medications, kidney disease, kidney trauma, or congenital defect. It’s usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics.

Gestational

The last form of canine diabetes is the gestational variety which only occurs during pregnancy. This condition occurs when the female dog’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the produced insulin properly. Dogs with this form of canine diabetes display the same symptoms as dogs with diabetes mellitus. Gestational diabetes can be treat with a proper diet, exercise, and insulin injections. The condition usually goes away after she has given birth to her litter.

Causes

Canine hives can be caused by various things. Some of the most common include sensitivity to insect bites, drugs, vaccinations, or chemicals. Also, something your dog has eaten may cause an allergic reaction.

Treatment

As mentioned earlier, canine hives will go away within 24 hours. However, they may cause your dog to be very itchy. This can be treated with oral antihistamines or steroids. Topical medications can also be used to treat the itchiness caused by canine hives.

Some dogs with canine hives start having trouble breathing due to the allergic reactions. If this happens, then the veterinarian will have to administer epinephrine to help your dog breathe properly. If your dog scratches the affected areas too much, he may develop a secondary skin infection. If this happens, then your dog will need topical or oral antibiotics.

Prevention

Canine hives can be caused by certain vaccinations. To prevent another episode, you should make sure your dog’s history has a note of the allergic reaction to that vaccination. Canine hives can also be caused by certain foods your dog eats. If you switch dog food brands and your dog develops hives, you should go back to the old food.

Most dogs will gain 15-25% of their original body weight during pregnancy, although this does depend on the number of puppies they are carrying and some do not put on noticeable weight until the last week before whelping.

Nutritional intake needs to increase during canine pregnancy and lactation; your dog may even double the amount she eats. During lactation she will need a high protein puppy food, and you may want to gradually introduce this during the last two weeks of her pregnancy, or even earlier. If you are concerned about providing the right pregnancy diet to meet your particular dog’s needs you should consult your veterinarian.

You should try to avoid nutritional supplements during canine pregnancy, even though these may seem like a good idea. Your dog will naturally produce everything her puppies need to thrive during lactation, and supplements may interfere with this process. This is particularly applicable to calcium supplements. If you use a good quality, high protein dog food, supplements will not be necessary.

A lot of canine medication is safe to use during pregnancy. If you give your dog regular preventative medication for heartworm you should continue this throughout pregnancy and lactation. Some medicines to get rid of other types of parasite, such as hookworms or roundworms, can be used but you should consult your veterinarian before administering these. It is important that your dog does get treatment for these conditions as otherwise she can pass them on to her unborn puppies.

Vaccinations should not be given during canine pregnancy. However, if possible, it is a great idea to have your dog vaccinated just before becoming pregnant as this will ensure she has a high level of antibodies to pass onto her puppies during lactation.

About halfway through her pregnancy you should take your dog to the veterinarian for a wellness check and to confirm the pregnancy. The veterinarian will be able to do this by examining the stomach, but a blood test can be done to provide a conclusive result.

You may want to have a radiograph done three weeks prior to the deliver to count the puppies. Knowing how many puppies to expect will help you to prepare for the delivery. Remember that your dog can become pregnant by more than one male during any one heat stage so you may be surprised at the number of puppies she is going to produce.

During the last three weeks of your dog’s pregnancy you may want to isolate her completely from contact with other dogs. This will ensure she does not pick up the herpes virus. While this is usually harmless in adult dogs, it can trigger a miscarriage in your pregnant dog.

You may find she wants to stay close to you during this time anyway. She may dislike being left alone and will probably become more affectionate, if a little irritable. As the delivery date approaches she will start to look for a safe place to give birth, and you should give some thought to where this will be.

As with human pregnancy, it is important to remember that canine pregnancy is a natural process, and your dog has been blessed with the natural ability to carry it through. With a little extra attention to nutrition, and some protection from common diseases, this should be a stress free time for you and your dog.

Roundworms

Roundworms are one of the most common canine worms. They don’t typically infect adult dogs, but are very common in puppies. These worms can grow to a length of seven inches. Two common symptoms of a roundworm infestation are a pot belly and poor growth. Severe infestations of these canine worms can even lead to an intestinal blockage which can be fatal.

The eggs produced by the females are very hardy. They can survive in the environment for years. Dogs are typically infected when they ingest soil contaminated with roundworm eggs. Pups can also become infected from the mother’s milk.

Hookworms

One of the next common canine worms is the hookworm. Like roundworms, they also affect the intestinal tract and infect your dog when he ingests eggs from contaminated soil. Hookworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall and suck blood. Severe infestations of these canine worms can be fatal to young puppies. If your dog is infected with hookworms, he will display symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and diarrhea.

Tapeworms

Unlike the two previous canine worms, tapeworms are normally transmitted by fleas. They can also be transmitted to your dog if he eats animals that are infected. Tapeworms look like flat grains of rice. If your dog is infected with these canine worms, you will notice segments in his stool.

Although over-the-counter medications are suitable for hookworms and roundworms, they aren’t effective for dealing with tapeworms. Therefore, you will have to take your dog to the veterinarian for treatment.

Wrong.  Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your dog even has canine cystitis.

Does My Dog Have A Canine Urinary Tract Infection?

As smart as dogs are, they can’t talk and tell us what their problem is.  The only way they can communicate is with their behavior.  If your dog has canine cystitis, she’ll try to tell you by her actions.

If you’ve ever had a bladder infection, you know that the main symptom is pain and burning when you urinate.  Your dog will tell you she’s unhappy, with restless behavior like pacing around the house and whining.  She may want to go out again right away, even though she just came in.

Worse, she may urinate on the floor, your bed, or in other inappropriate areas.  Many dog owners mistakenly think this is a behavior problem.  Before you start looking for a dog trainer, rule out bladder infections in dogs first.

Tests Your Vet Should Do To Diagnose Canine Cystitis

Tests to diagnose a canine urinary tract infection include urinalysis, a dog urine culture, and a sensitivity test. 

A urinalysis should be done to see if bacteria or stones are present in your dog’s urine.  If bacteria are found, a urine culture needs to be done to find out exactly which bacteria they are.  The sensitivity test will tell your vet the correct antibiotic to use.

The problem arises because urine culturing and sensitivity testing increases your vet bill by $25 to $100.  Some dog owners can’t afford the extra money, and others just won’t pay for it even it they can afford it. 

So what happens?  Your vet ends up prescribing an antibiotic that may or may not kill the bacteria causing your dog’s bladder infection. 

Why Using The Wrong Antibiotic Is A Bad Idea

The first reason is that you can spend a lot of time and money treating your dog with an antibiotic that won’t do the job.  Giving a dog an expensive antibiotic for two or three weeks is no picnic, so you don’t want to waste time with the wrong drug.

Secondly, if you skip the sensitivity test, you may be treating your dog with a drug that won’t kill the bacteria causing the infection.  This can lead to a life-threatening bacterial infection that’s very hard to treat. 

An even more important reason to use the right drug is the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Prevent Bladder Infections In Dogs

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a safe, effective, natural remedy you could give your buddy every day to prevent bladder problems in dogs?  Well, you’ll be happy to know that there is.  This remedy is manufactured specifically for pets, not humans, which is very important.  And it’s made by a company with a great reputation for producing the highest-quality products for pets. 

Now that you have this information, you can use natural remedies for pets to protect your dog from the pain and stress of canine urinary tract infections.