Slow dripping of urine - older dog

Question
Hello. My older (11 years) male dog (a mutt) is having problems with his bladder, it seems. Urine dripping out of him, slowly but steadily. Doesn't seem to be the issue of not having enough walking, as this starts about an hour after we return. Seems to be more pronounced in the evenings. No major 'floods', normally. Is there anything medicinally or in the diet that we can do?

Answer
Hi Oleg,

Urinary incontinence is common in elderly dogs. When the dog relaxes, so does his sphincter muscle of the bladder, which controls urination. This is the same muscle in humans used to stop urination mid-stream.  When this muscle relaxes too much, urine is then allowed to leak out of the bladder. It's probably the reason why this problem is more pronounced at night.

Male dogs can develop urinary incontinence if they were neutered, because the chief source of testosterone has been removed. Small amounts of testosterone continue to be produced by the male dog's adrenal glands, but the amount of testosterone produced may not be enough to maintain bladder sphincter tone. If bladder sphincter tone is not maintained, medication is required.

This can't be controlled by diet changes or supplements. Medication is available to help urinary incontinent dogs. This might include hormonal replacement of testosterone, or the use of direct bladder sphincter stimulant. Most cases will respond to the medication Phenylpropanolamine, or "PPA" for short, so this is the recommended treatment protocol for the incontinent male dogs.

Please have your dog examined by your vet, since help is available that will improve your dog's quality of life.

It might help some, not to let your dog drink water after 7pm.

There is a product known as a "Belly Band". Unlike a diaper, the Belly Band does not fit between the legs, but wraps around the male dog's tummy with extra protection in the important area. They are made of thick, soft fabric and are comfortable to wear and easy to wash. The Belly Band has a Velcro strip for quick removal when your dog is going outside and it takes only seconds to put back on when your dog comes in. You can see them on line at several sites, here one:

http://www.petdiapers.com/acc/malewraps/index.html

A belly band may help the cleaning situation, but it's not a treatment for the incontinence, for that you need a doctor.

Best of luck,
Patti