Due to a variety of reasons, dogs can face an inability to control their bowels, also known as bowel incontinence. Bowel incontinence in dogs can not only be tiring and troublesome for the owner, but can be dangerous for the dog as well. The condition can be the main health problem or it can be part of various other issues.
Knowing the signs and causes can help you get your dog the treatment they need. Penny Paws Animal Clinic has the experienced veterinarian in Mansfield, TX, that dog owners want when their pet is facing bowel incontinence. Here’s everything you need to know about bowel incontinence in dogs.
What Does Bowel Incontinence in Dogs Look Like?
Doggy bowel control issues can be incredibly distressing, not just due to the mess and physical ailment, but because dogs may feel emotional discomfort from “breaking the rules”. Recognizing the signs can help owners get their dogs treated faster.
Because canine fecal incontinence can have a variety of causes, the disorder can also have a variety of symptoms. Generally, dogs have two types of bowel incontinence: with awareness, where a dog attempts to defecate with difficulty, and without awareness, where a dog defecates spontaneously and may appear surprised at the event.
Bowel Incontinence in Dogs: With Awareness
Incontinence is defined as difficulty voluntarily controlling movements. In dogs, an inability to “go” can cause distress. This distress can often result in visible straining, scooting, and self-soothing behaviors such as licking the perianal areas. Other symptoms dog owners should watch for are:
- Blood in stool
- Foul odor for stool
- Small bowel movements
- Frequent attempts at defecation throughout the day
- Pacing/restlessness
Bowel Incontinence in Dogs: Lack of Awareness
In some instances, the incontinence can appear like uncontrolled pooping in canines. Bowel incontinence with a lack of awareness can appear like a leaky bowel in dogs or as if they are defecating at rest, without warning, and at random.
Here’s what to look out for to determine if a dog has unaware bowel incontinence:
- Leaky bowel
- Defecation while asleep
- Defecation while moving
- Defecation when excited or barking
While there can be many signs, the most important one will be if a dog is having many accidents and looks to be in pain or distress.
What Causes Incontinence in Dogs in Mansfield, TX?
There are numerous ways incontinence can begin in dogs. Causes range from easily remedied viruses affecting the stomach to neurological conditions that can impact not just the bowels but the overall health of a dog.
There can be causes of incontinence unique to an individual dog, however, common causes include:
Injury
An injury can cause a hernia, fistula, or other disruption to the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system in dogs, leading to bowel incontinence. Blood in stool, favoring a side when laying down or moving, and tenderness can all be signs that injury is to blame for a dog’s bowel incontinence.
Viruses and Worms
Bugs of any kind can cause gastrointestinal disruptions that make it difficult for dogs to control their movements and lead to bowel incontinence in dogs in Mansfield, TX. Certain parasites and viruses like the parvovirus can cause diarrhea in dogs. When diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, changes to appetite, and lethargy it could be a sign they are infected with a virus or parasite.
Dietary Intolerance
Digestion issues may be temporary if dogs eat something they shouldn’t or typically don’t consume. But like humans who develop allergies and intolerances to food later in life, dogs too can develop intolerances later in life, meaning their typical diet no longer suits them.
Age
Age can weaken the muscles necessary for proper bowel movements. Muscles like the sphincter loosen with age, leading to incontinence. Senior dog bowel problems can vary, however, so it is still important to take a dog to the veterinarian when facing bowel incontinence, even if they are of a significant age.
Cancer and Neurological Conditions
Cancer along the gastrointestinal tract or even the anal sacs has a common side effect of bowel incontinence. Swelling or weakness in the hind legs, vigorous and consistent licking of the anal sacs, lethargy, and muscle atrophy can all be signs that point to anal cancer in dogs.
Another serious cause of bowel incontinence in dogs in Mansfield, TX, is neurological disorders. Tumors or injuries to the brain can prevent proper brain communication with the body and impact muscular function, leading to bowel incontinence. Tumors, embolisms, and infections in or along the spine can cause the same.
If a dog has trouble with their gait, appears confused, or has had drastic changes in temperament, these could be signs of neurological conditions.
Managing Doggy Incontinence: Treatments
Each dog is unique and requires a specialized approach. That is why your vet will take an an individualized approach when treating bowel incontinence in dogs. Treatment varies, not just according to the specific cause of bowel incontinence, but also to the one that best suits that particular dog.
Your vet will start by completing a comprehensive examination to find the root cause of the bowel incontinence. Then, they will discuss treatment options, typically opting for the most effective treatment that balances minimal side effects.
Treatments can include medications, physical therapies to recover from injuries, and even surgery to remove tumors or to repair physical disruptions such as hernias and fistulas.
In Mansfield, TX, owners don’t need to worry about coping with incontinence. They can find treatment and relief for their pets at Penny Paws Animal Clinic.
The Penny Paws Animal Clinic
Penny Paws Animal Clinic is committed to providing comprehensive care at every level. It is why we are proud to now offer telemedicine in an attempt to further the effect of the help we offer. With numerous locations around the state, your pet is never too far from expert, compassionate care.
When it comes to bowel incontinence in dogs, find relief for your dog in pain at Penny Paws Animal Clinic by clicking here to set up an appointment or call us at (817) 993-1234.