How to Treat Bowel Incontinence in Elderly Dogs

As your dog ages, it is likely – and maybe even inevitable – that some health issues are going to arise along the way. Hopefully, these issues will be relatively minor and treatable, but you never quite know what is going to come along as the days and years pass. 

For some older dogs, incontinence is an issue that comes up and needs to be addressed urgently. You certainly love your dog, but dealing with the problems that come along with incontinence can put a strain on your daily life and will make things harder for both the pet and the owner. 

To understand how to proceed, it’s important to look at what incontinence is in dogs, why it happens, and what can be done to improve the condition moving forward.

Potential Causes of Bowel Incontinence in Elderly Dogs

One of the trickiest things about bowel incontinence in elderly dogs is the range of underlying causes that can lead to this condition.

Some of the potential causes include –

• Gastrointestinal problems. It’s possible that something like inflammatory bowel disease or an infection is at the heart of your dog’s inability to control their bowel movements.

• Spinal cord issues. An injury to the spinal cord – or a condition like degenerative myelopathy – can disrupt the signals from the brain to the muscles that control bowel movements.

• Cancers. If your dog has a tumor in an area near the spinal cord, normal bowel function can be interrupted. 

• Neurological disorder. For older dogs, neurological problems will sometimes develop, and those issues can make it impossible for the dog to control their bowels as usual.
  
  

Diagnosis and Identifying the Root Cause

As you notice a pattern of incontinence in your dog, the first step is to go to the veterinarian for an evaluation and potential testing.

Based on the testing and observations, the vet will determine if there is a treatable condition causing the incontinence, or if it is stemming from something more serious, like a neurological condition. 

A Few Bowel Incontinence Treatment Options

The treatment approach that is taken for incontinence in dogs is going to depend on what the vet finds during the testing and evaluation process. Sometimes, all it will take is a move to a diet that is higher in fiber to better regulate digestion. This could mean a change in dog food or the addition of a supplement that delivers more fiber. 

Alternatively, or in addition to an altered diet, medication may be used to manage the situation. In more serious cases, the need for surgery may arise. Also, if the incontinence proves to be a chronic condition without an obvious solution, canine diapers and other hygiene products can be utilized.

The Benefits of Canine Rehabilitation

Using canine rehab – such as the treatments offered by Austin Canine Rehab – is an excellent way to care for your dog’s overall health. This includes specifically targeting the problems that may be leading to incontinence issues. 

As a starting point, canine rehab can work to strengthen the core muscles in your dog, the same muscles that are responsible for controlling the bowels. Also, improving the mobility of your pet through exercises and other treatments will improve their ability to get outside in time to use the bathroom rather than relieving themselves in the house. Improving their mobility and strength through rehab can also help with posturing and stability when going to the bathroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s Chat Today!

At Austin Canine Rehab, we focus on creating custom treatment plans for every dog that we see. There is no room for a “one-size-fits-all” approach in our business – we want to deliver the best possible results for every dog, and that means taking the time to get to know the animal and the health issues they are facing. 

We want you and your dog to be able to enjoy as much happy and healthy time together as possible, which means finding solutions to the bowel incontinence problem as soon as possible. Take a moment now to reach out and let’s discuss how our team can help you move forward. Thank you for stopping by!