What is Spay Incontinence in Dogs?

The urinary incontinence or spay incontinence in dogs can take many forms and is defined as involuntary urination over which the dog simply has no control. It may happen when the dog is sleeping, they may not make it outdoors fast enough, or they may continuously drip urine throughout the day. Incontinence is common in dogs and spaying is said to be the primary cause in female dogs. Experts estimate that up to 20% of dogs will experience this problem at some point in their life. Once you have ruled out any change to your pet and its environment, it may be correct to assume that the problem is either one of age or due to a medical condition. Some have experienced positive results by using natural products for this condition such as cycle balance oil. This product is very useful for dogs by simply applying the oil on the belly of the dog to avoid the incontinence problem. The cycle balance oil is very effective and a natural alternative for spay incontinence.

General Symptoms of Spay Incontinence in Dogs

Spay incontinence happens to be a very troublesome problem for dog owners and they are eager to know how to deal with this. Some common symptoms which characterize spay incontinence in dogs include dripping urine, and skin irritation and redness; this happens to be one of the most recognizable symptoms of incontinence. Similarly, excessive licking of the vulva or penis area is also a major identifying symptom. Pet owners may also examine the area where the dog sleeps to find any signs of the animal’s incontinence.

Causes for Dogs’ Incontinence

Difficulties in urinary control in dogs are due to various causes, ranging from environmental to medical. Environmental causes may include the habitat of dogs, improper care, and food. Once assured that environmental factors are not causing the problem, then the pet owners must look for the possible medical reasons listed below:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Weak bladder sphincter
• Urinary tract infection and urinary stones
• Spinal injury or degeneration (frequently seen in German shepherds)
• Prostate disorders
• Presence of other diseases that cause excessive water consumption, such as diabetes, kidney disease, hyperadrenocorticism
• Congenital abnormalities
• Anatomic disorders

Spay Incontinence Natural Remedies

Natural remedies for incontinence in dogs are quite useful according to pet owners. These natural methods use organic ingredients or a combination thereof to deal with urinary incontinence. Even if a conventional pharmaceutical dose becomes necessary, the drug dosages may be reduced for easing the impact by combining conventional medicine with natural ingredients or alternative remedies. Once you have ruled out physical issues and have an idea of what may be contributing to your pet incontinence, natural alternatives can help to solve the problem.

A grain-free diet proves very helpful in dealing with this issue. The homeopathic remedies may be combined with herbal and nutraceutical supplements if needed. Some of the users have recommended cycle balance progesterone oil as an incredible remedy for incontinence.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar for dog incontinence has been found to be a natural alternative. A user shared the experience of giving her dog a slice of bread soaked in apple cider vinegar once daily and her dog leaked less and less until it completely stopped. Another person added a few capfuls of apple cider vinegar to her dog’s water each day to observe a decrease in involuntary urination. Dosage is important since the pH of vinegar can alter other functions of the body if given excessively.

Cranberry

Cranberry concentrate (most commonly found in capsule form) can help with UTI symptoms while supporting healthy urinary tract function and providing healthy bladder support. This remedy might not stop incontinence directly, but it’s important for urinary tract health and hence indirectly helps with incontinence.

Progesterone

While strong medical evidence is lacking for the claim, users’ testimonies and great reviews make it a natural remedy worth considering. A user shared her experience of her pet’s urinary incontinence in which she got a positive result by applying cycle balance oil on the pet’s belly nightly, 21 days on, 7 days off. She encourages dog owners to try the remedy for a potential alleviation of the symptoms.

Is Cycle Balance Oil Really Helpful for Dogs Spay Incontinence

Cycle Balance Progesterone oil is thought to be very useful and effective for controlling symptoms of spay incontinence in dogs. Users have shared their experience of overcoming the issue with their pets by regular use of cycle balance oil. They recommend the application of cycle balance oil on the belly of the dog to produce a positive effect on the incontinence issue.

How to Deal with Dog Incontinence

It’s recommended to consult a certified veterinarian for dealing with spay incontinence in dogs since this can be the result of a hormonal issue that can go horribly wrong if mistreated. A vet can perform a thorough diagnosis to determine the definite cause of the problem and recommend natural remedies or the use of conventional medicine. The detailed inspection by the vet includes a look at the history, a detailed physical exam, and a urinalysis to verify if the dog is suffering from a bladder infection requiring antibiotic medication, or if the issue is caused by another problem. Other tests may include a urine culture test, blood work, radiographs, and ultrasound.

Estrogen Treatment for Incontinence in Spayed Dogs

The most common cause of urinary incontinence in middle-aged or senior spayed female dogs is an estrogen deficiency. The cause is considered to be multifactorial with links to a lack of estrogen from spaying, increased size of the dog, and even obesity. This is known as USMI (urethral sphincter mechanism incontinence). Estrogen works to strengthen the dog’s muscles for controlling urination. When the hormone levels become lower with age or after spaying, her muscles no longer hold urine in the right place. As urine collects in the vestibule area, it can then leak out when she moves, and most commonly occurs when she gets up or lies down.

The condition can be dealt with by supplementing estrogen and by conventional medicines such as Proin which contains phenylpropanolamine (PPA) or Incurin. For a natural approach you might try estriol oil in the same way as the progesterone oil and use them together so estrogen dominance does not occur.

If the female dog is already estrogen-dominant, then natural remedies such as cycle balance progesterone oil or apple cider vinegar can be tried for alleviating the symptoms.