Animal Health Issues: Incontinence

*Immune System: Problems and Support*	*Allergies/Eyes, Ears and Skin*	*Bloat*
*Cancer*	*First Aid*	*Incontinence*
*Miscellaneous*	*Natural Pest Control*	Heartworms and Other Parasites

The following information is offered for your convenience; it is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, a substitute for proper veterinary examination and evaluation of any medical condition. To locate a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian in your area, please see list of associations and specialists on the Links-Holistic Care page of my site. Kat

ALLERGIES: Grains (including but not limited to wheat and rice) can irritate the bladder by causing inflammation of the urinary tract. Green beans have also been found to exacerbate incontinence in some female dogs. If your animal is experiencing incontinence, and you have ruled out other possible reasons (such as bladder infection or tumor, for instance), then consider looking at the food you’re feeding. This goes for treats too such as biscuits, rawhide snacks, Greenies etc and vitamins/supplements. It is just about impossible to find a kibble that doesn’t have some sort of grain product in it. You may need to do an elimination diet, preferably a raw or homecooked diet (see Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats for same). You can also search "dog allergy elimination diet" on the internet and/or see http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1664&articleid=143, http://www.labbies.com/foodreactions.htm and http://allergies.about.com/cs/canine/a/aa091800a.htm; these talk more about elimination diets using commercially prepared foods. Note that it is generally recommended to have the animal on the elimination diet for 8 weeks, then start reintroducing one food at a time and noting any reactions. However, exercise caution in doing this with young or old animals; consult with your veterinarian in tailoring an elimination diet. Removing allergens from the diet can sometimes result in resolution of the problem. If you do not remove the offending food, then relief may not be possible, or may be sporadic at best.

BLADDER INFECTIONS/CYSTITIS/STONES/CRYSTALS: These are common causes of incontinence, straining to urinate and/or blood in the urine. This must be diagnosed by a veterinarian, preferably a holistic care or homeopathic veterinarian, so that an appropriate care protocol can be determined.

INJURY: Trauma to the tail, pelvis or spine can damage the nerves which run through the lumbar region and enervate the bladder.

KIDNEY DISEASE: This is a serious disease and a holistic care or homeopathic veterinarian should be consulted for proper treatment. Two of the main symptoms of this disease are thirst (drinking more than usual and/or more often) and excessive urination.

LACK OF EXERCISE: Yes, this can actually be a cause. So take your dog for a walk at least once if not twice daily - ask your vet for how long based on the animal's age and health.

pH IMBALANCE: Have your animal's urine pH tested. Alkaline urine can lead to infections, formation of struvite crystals, and bladder stones. Urine that is too acidic can also create problems. Any pH far from normal in either direction causes problems. Dr. Richard Pitcairn, homeopathic veterinarian and author of "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" recommends giving (among other things) Vitamin C to maintain an acidic urine, which he states makes mineral salts more soluble and counters the formation of crystals. See his book for various treatments for bladder problems. http://www.rhtubs.com/pH.htm "The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 0 being the most acidic, 7 neutral, and 14 being the most alkaline or basic. It is a logarithmic scale, based on powers of 10, so that 1 pH unit change equals a 10 fold change in H+ ion concentration! A pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 7."

PROTEIN LEVELS IN THE FOOD: I saw this on a chatlist, might be worth trying: "My dog had 'leaking' issues when he got older. My vet suggested trying a lower protein food and that worked for us. It was a simple thing to try."

SPAYING/PREGNANCY: Sometimes spay surgery can inadvertently cause damage to the bladder or bladder sphincter, or the nerves which enervate the bladder. The nerves may or may not recover/regenerate. The change in hormones experienced during pregnancy, and after the spay procedure, can also greatly affect bladder tone. I have heard the spay procedure called “surgical menopause”.

STOMACH UPSET: Sometimes an upset stomach can be the culprit. Stomach gas can put pressure on the bladder.

ACUPUNCTURE: Acupuncture can assist with many different types of health issues including kidney, bladder and spleen dysfunction. The target of these treatments is the chi, or life force, of the animal and opening up blocked energy (chi) in the energy meridians of the body. NOTE: Acupuncture should not be used with homeopathy, because they have the same purpose (action on the chi, life force) and doing both will muddy the picture.

See Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Cat Care, and Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care, by Randy Kidd, DVM, for herbs specific to supporting the urinary tract and for certain health issues related thereto.

Chinese Herbs: There are Chinese herbal formulas which are used to resolve bladder problems; see the directories of natural practitioners under the Associations section on the Links-Holistic Care page to find a practitioner in your area. Often an acupuncturist will work with Chinese herbs, so check with them first.

Cornsilk: Cornsilk is a diuretic which helps eliminate urine (waste product) more often, and soothes the urinary tract through an anti-inflammatory action. It is a safe herb and can be used long-term with no known side effects. "Corn silk, when ingested, primarily acts as an anti-inflammatory in the genitourinary tract (kidneys, bladder and urethra). Its potent astringent effect can tighten and strengthen the smooth muscles of the bladder, which is why it may benefit incontinent animals. Corn silk does not fight bladder infection nor does it alter urinary pH (it does not treat crystals) so these conditions must be ruled out prior to its use. Corn silk must be given daily for several weeks before the positive effects are noticed. Use fresh corn silk when available. During the winter, corn silk can be purchased at the health food store. I recommend organic as most corn is treated with herbicides that are passed up the food chain. The amount to feed your pet is based on its size, other medications and concurrent health issues."--Natural News (newsletter of Natural Pet Animal Hospital).

Nature’s Way (530 mg. capsules) (carried at health food stores, call 800-9NA-TURE, or http://www.natureway.com). For a 60 lb. dog, start with ½ the human adult dose and adjust up or down over a week to find the dose which provides relief. For smaller/larger dog, adjust accordingly.

Raw powder/silk: Much cheaper than capsules. Can be bought in bulk at health food stores. Pulverize in a coffee bean grinder or blender (dry) until a fine powder. Mix into food. For a 60 lb. dog, start with 1 tsp. each meal and increase by ½ tsp. every two days until relief occurs. You can also make your own by rinsing, carefully drying, and saving the silk from ears of corn, but be sure it is from organically grown corn.

After using either version for one month, you can experiment with reducing the dose slowly over two weeks to find the maintenance dose. If leakage occurs, increase the daily amount.

Fennel: The April 1, 2003, issue of The Whole Dog Journal discusses the use of Fennel. "Fennel also has estrogen-like properties, which may explain why the herb has been used for centuries to increase milk production in nursing mothers. Some herbalists find that Fennel helps alleviate urinary incontinence in spayed dogs by acting on hormone imbalances that contribute to the problem. . . . Fennel seed represents another option for relief of gastric discomfort. A cooled tea works very well for this purpose; one teaspoon of dried seeds in eight ounces of boiling water, steeped until cool. The tea can be fed at a rate of two to four tablespoons for each 20 pounds of your dog's body weight, or it can be added to his drinking water, as generously as he will tolerate. Fennel is high in vitamins C and A, calcium, iron, potassium, and varying amounts of linoleic acid. It is an especially good nutritional adjunct for dogs whose chronic indigestion cannot be attributed to a specific disease entity. Fennel also helps increase appetite and freshens breath - thanks to its antibacterial activity in the mouth - by minimizing belching."

Schizandra: Can be purchased in bulk form or in capsules. It is contraindicated in animals and people with heart problems.

Parsley and Honey: Fresh (not dried) chopped parsley and raw unprocessed honey (i.e. from the health food store). This was recommended to me and the woman said she's seen it work on a lot of dogs. She recommends that, for instance, a large Lab would need about a teaspoon of each (chopped fresh parsley and honey) one time daily. Maureen (the woman who gave me this tip) says, "I give 1 teaspoon of fresh chopped parsley with 1 teaspoon of honey for any size dog. I think perhaps if I had a 4 pound dog I might cut it in half -- but I don't think a teaspoon of each would hurt anyone -- dog or human! My sister takes that amount -- so does a Rottie, so does a black lab (1/2 the weight of the Rott) so does a Sheltie, etc. Since both ingredients are natural and healthy, I don't worry that much about it. It just seems to work!"

HOMEOPATHY: NOTE: No remedy should be given without proper supervision by a trained homeopath. Aggravation of symptoms can occur (aggravation is to be expected, but only certain symptoms), or other issues can be triggered by using the inappropriate remedy, potency and/or intervals. DO NOT use homeopathy while using acupuncture or Chinese herbs. Acupuncture and Homeopathy work in the same manner (on the body's chi, or vital force).

Remedies like Hypericum or Causticum and others can be helpful for nerve injuries. Lachesis is a consideration for “surgical menopause” resulting from spaying. See Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs: Small Doses for Small Animals by Don Hamilton, DVM on my book page Resources-Media-Books-Holistic Animal Care. It is an excellent resource for homeopathic care. Quoting from the book for urinary incontinence, the following remedies can be considered:

"Bryonia: almost all complaints are worse from motion. If your dog leaks urine while walking (most incontinence cases occur when resting) Bryonia might be helpful.

Causticum: Causticum is by far the most common remedy prescribed for urinary incontinence. It is generally good for any situation when there is muscle weakness and fatigue and the animal is chilly. It is good for old, broken-down constitutions, so it is more likely to help in older, weak animals.

Kreosotum: This is a major remedy for bed-wetting in children and may occasionally be useful for urinary incontinence in dogs, although the conditions are not really equivalent, as bed-wetting is more an emotional problem than a hormonal one. If there is a possibility that your dog's problem is stress or emotional, consider Kreosotum. The urine tends to be irritating when Kreosotum is needed.

Nux moschata: This remedy is especially useful in patients with mental confusion; they may easily get lost in familiar surroundings. Nux moschata also has an affinity to female organs and hormonal problems, including incontinence. These dogs tend to be thirstless with a dry mouth, so they may hang around the water bowl without drinking.

Pulsatilla: Pulsatilla patients have very weak urethral sphincter muscles, so they easily spill urine. In humans, they might leak a few drops of urine when startled or when laughing hard. Dogs may leak urine when excited. They may also leak urine when resting or sleeping. Like Nux moshata and Sepia, Pulsatilla is a good remedy for female organs. These dogs are typically sweet, and they love attention.

Sepia: Sepia animals tend to be rather distant and indifferent to attention. They are also extremely chilly. They may develop incontinence as well, and since Sepia is a good remedy for female hormonal problems, it can be useful for urinary incontinence of hormonal origin."

"Leaks No More" is a homeopathic remedy blend that one woman said works very well for her incontinent female. You can find this through a number of online stores, one is http://www.naturalcanine.com/html/incontinence.html. They also sell a Leaks No More and Perna Mussel combination kit (see Perna Mussel below).

HORMONAL: Canine Incontinence Support is made by Genesis Ltd., Oceanside, California (877-PETS-4-LIFE, http://www.genesispets.com/products/incontinence.html) "Urinary incontinence may be caused by an underdeveloped urinary system or may arise as a part of the aging process. Estrogen deficiency is the most common cause of incontinence in spayed female dogs and may result in weakened muscles in the bladder and sphincter causing urine leakage. Bovine ovary powder nutritionally provides natural estrogens and works synergistically with the phytoestrogens provided by licorice, wild yam and other ingredients. Research indicates that phyto-estrogens may help strengthen the bladder and sphincter muscles and improve muscle tone."

Fresh Factors is an all natural product made by Springtime, Inc. (www.springtimeinc.com, 800-521-3212). The product is specifically for joint, skin and coat health, and I've seen and heard amazing things in that regard. Interestingly, several of us have also noticed improvement or alleviation of urinary and/or fecal incontinence symptoms in male and female dogs. You may need to have the dog on double the recommended dose (which is safe) for a month or so, then gradually back down 1/4 tablet every week until you find the maintenance dose. For information and testimonials about the product, see my page at Springtime, Inc. To order, call the company.

Cranberry tablets: Can help acidify the urine, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria. Use this if the dog is also suffering from urinary tract infections. However, if the urine is already acidic (below 7.0), you don't want to give this because it could lead to problems such as crystals, stones and possibly infections. Check with your vet on whether this is an appropriate supplement to give. CranAction by Solaray is a great product; you should be able to find it at health food stores; if not, search it online and you'll find sites that sell it.

Dr. Gloria Dodd’s Female Formula: Fem-Endocrine F 60T is a product created by Gloria Dodd, DVM to support the endocrine system of spayed and elderly female dogs. Order it at http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/newprods2.htm or http://www.everglo-naturalvet.com. Gloria Dodd, DVM, POB 1010, Boonville, CA 95415 Dr. Dodd is an internationally known, well respectived holistic veterinarian. Her sites contain holistic care information, research, articles and supplements for cats, dogs, birds, horses, rodents and reptiles.

Renafood by Standard Process -- helps with regulating kidney function. www.standardprocess.com

TRAINING: Use a specific command (such as “go potty” or “tinkle”) to train your dog to void its bladder. Begin by using the command as soon as they begin going, then praise them profusely as soon as they’re done, so they come to associate the word with the action. Over time they can learn to go on command.

ALLOPATHIC MEDICATIONS - DES and Proin (Phenylpropanalamine, “PPA”): These medications can have serious side effects and should only be used as a last resort, under regular supervision by your vet.

PROTECTING FURNITURE AND CARPETS: Use rubber backed washable bathmats throughout the house; place a waterproof mattress pad on dog beds, couch cushions, wherever the dog tends to sleep. You can buy cheap shower curtains or plastic table cloths and put them under the dog bed covers. There is also a product called Neat Sheets ( about $6 or $7 ) sold in the paper towel area of grocery stores. They are blue and kind of a papery cloth and are water resistant. Place under a dog cover/sheet. Check out the baby department of K-Mart or Wal-Mart. Some of the pee proof pads there are a lot cheaper than the pee proof pads that the pet catalogs and stores sell.

SLEEPEE-TIME BED: When all else fails, consider the SleePee-Time Bed, designed for the comfort of your pet and ease of cleanup for you. http://www.sleepeetime.com/product.htm