Bladder Control

SIGNS

Your pet wakes up in the morning next to a puddle of urine. Your dog or cat may dribble urine when walking.

CAUSES

The most common occurrence is in middle-aged, spayed female dogs. They have lost a source of estrogen that is needed to maintain bladder control. Older dogs and cats are also prone to liver and kidney failure, which may show up as bladder incontinence.

The first thing to do is ascertain that it really is incontinence, and not a bladder infection or submissive urination. Incontinence is defined as involuntary urine leakage, and this often occurs at night when your dog is relaxed or sleeping.

Dogs with diabetes or kidney failure may drink excessively, and then be unable to go through the night without urinating in the house. The most common occurrence is in middle-aged spayed female dogs. They have lost a source of estrogen that is needed to maintain bladder control. Other less common causes include bladder infections, and spinal cord damage.

As there can be several causes, you should first visit your veterinarian to determine the most likely cause. They can perform a physical exam, a urinalysis to check for presence of infection, and blood work to check organ function. If it is determined that estrogen responsive incontinence is the likely diagnosis, then your veterinarian may suggest using estrogen medication.

SOLUTIONS

NIGHT WATER RESTRICTIONS. Only put down a small amount of water at night, but always allow free access to water for the rest of the day.

SUPPLEMENTS. Some glandular supplements can help your spayed female dog produce more natural estrogen. These are generally known as raw gland concentrates. One product available at health food stores is called Female Caps (Solaray). The dose is one-fourth capsule per ten pounds of body weight daily. This can be tried for thirty days to see if it will be effective.

Another supplement to consider is called Plant Sterols. Many dogs are on this plant based supplement for allergies (it includes the ingredient betasitsterol), which is also a 'natural estrogen'. It is sold for people as it can lower cholesterol (called CardioAid). I would suggest a dose of 1 capsule/50lbs daily (400mg of beta sitosterol).

PLANT ESTROGEN. Ground flax seed is a great source of plant estrogens—the dose is one teaspoon per cup of food daily.

Soy isoflavones are another good source of estrogen. These can be purchased as an extract under the brand name Genista. The dose is one-fourth capsule per ten pounds of body weight daily. Use for thirty days to see if they are effective

NERVY. Back injuries sometimes put pressure on the nerves that control the bladder. Hold your thumb and index finger and locate the dip between the vertebrae on either side of your pet’s backbone. Press straight down for two seconds then release. Start at the middle of the spine and go to the tail. This helps move the spine, keeping it flexible, and may release any excess pressure on the nerves.

ACUPRESSURE:

There are acupressure points that control the bladder as well as influencing the adrenal glands. BL1, located on the inside of the eye; BL13, BL14, and BL15, located along the spine at the level of the front shoulder; BL67, located on the outside of the lateral toe on the rear foot; SP6, located on the inside of the back leg above the hock; and SP10, located just above the knee. Put pressure on each of the points for one minute twice daily for two weeks. If this appears to be helping regain control, repeat the pressure once per week.

HERBAL:

Herbal therapy is aimed at replacing these with plant estrogens: oat straw and yams will help. One herbal formula includes oat straw, plantain, nettle, and horsetail. Dose: 15 drops per twenty pounds of the tincture.

2 NEW Natural Remedies

Corn Silk

Some people use corn silk both as a supportive treatment and as a remedy. Corn silk contains mucilage which has a thick gel-like texture that coats the inside of the bladder.  If your pet has a urinary tract infection, corn silk can help to sooth the irritation. It also functions as a mild diuretic. Corn silk also contains phytoestrogens which can help with spay incontinence. Purchase corn silk as a pill or powder for convenience, or you can use whole corn silks to make your own

Dose 100mg/10lbs daily- It comes in 1200mg capsules.

Cannabinoids

SomeThe cannabinoids, especially CBG have been studied for their effects on nerve cell regeneration. They can positively affect the nervous system, and in some cases appear to boost nerve cell growth/healing. As most of the dogs with urinary incontinence have an underlying less active urinary sphincter (because we have spayed them early), a cannabinoid blend that includes CBG may help.

Doses: 3mg/10lbs daily given 1-2 hours prior to sleep.