collie incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a common disorder of older female dogs, no less than 20% of neutered bitches develop at some point in their lives. The reason is usually incompetence urethral sphincter mechanism (USMI). It can happen to any race, but boxers, Dobermanns and Collie breeds are particularly susceptible. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about the disease, focusing on management and treatment options.

What mechanism incompetence urethral sphincter (USMI)?

Affected dogs are affected by this have a low tone of smooth muscles around the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the vagina), and often a shorter urethra than normal, and a neck of the bladder that is placed too far back in the abdomen.

A number of factors contribute to this development, but the main ones are breed susceptibility, obesity, body size, the position of the bladder and sterilization (sterilization). Sterilization is supposed to have an effect in reducing estrogen levels, which affects the local muscle tone. But most neutered dogs do not develop the disease and that certainly should not be used as an excuse not neutral, as the increased risk of cancer among non-neutered dogs are much more worrisome.

What are the symptoms?

The disorder characterized by passive leakage of urine without the dog knowing it, often during sleep or rest, while the dog is lying. The owner usually remarks how there is always a smell of urine from the bedding of dogs and how the dog is permanently wet and smelly around the back end. Also constant leakage can cause burns to skin around the vulva and groin.

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually made based on history. The pattern of urination is important to eliminate other causes of incontinence. Urinalysis, radiography and ultrasound may be performed to confirm if necessary (for example, to assess the location of the neck of the bladder in the abdomen).

Treatment

The goal is to increase the tone of urethral smooth muscle. This can be medical, surgical or both. Medical treatment is either by giving estrogens or adrenergic drugs.

Estrogens

Estrogens have been used Hormone replacement therapy among postmenopausal women. Estriol, a natural estrogen, is available as an authorized product and restoration work normal function of the sphincter muscle of the urethra, and the increased sensitivity of the urogenital tract to adrenergic stimulation. Side effects generally associated with prolonged use of estrogen with the depletion of the bone marrow, but this has not been observed with the drug Incurin licensed veterinarian.

Adrenergic

Adrenergic drugs stimulate relaxation of the bladder wall and contraction of the urethral sphincter simultaneously. These two actions facilitate urine storage. Phenylpropanolamine (Propaline, Vétoquinol) is the drug most commonly used for this and is very effective in most cases.

Surgery

Surgery is generally appropriate if medical treatment fails to control incontinence. The procedure used most often performed colposuspension, which involves pulling the bladder neck and vagina prior to the pelvis to a position back. This has a cure rate around 50%.

Another technique is the deep transpelvic, where a tape passes through the obturator foramen Basin and between the urethra and vagina. The band is tight and set for yourself. This can be done in addition to colposuspension.

A less invasive technique is endoscopic injection of Teflon or collagen in the urethra 1.5 cm below the bladder neck, artificially increasing the tone of smooth muscles there. It was reported a success rate of over 50%, and sometimes the sides of adrenergic drugs.

Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the veterinary pet experts at [http://www.whydoesmypet.com]. Our dedicated community of caring pet experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.