Dog Bowel Control Loss: Causes & Effective Solutions

Understanding and Addressing Bowel Control Issues in Dogs

Dealing with a dog unable to control bowels can be distressing for both the pet and the owner. This guide provides information on potential causes and effective solutions to help you navigate this challenging situation. We aim to offer a clear understanding of the problem and empower you to take appropriate action.

Identifying the Problem: Dog Incontinence vs. Accidents

Before delving into causes, it’s vital to differentiate between genuine bowel incontinence and simple accidents.

• Bowel Incontinence: This refers to the involuntary loss of bowel control, often occurring without the dog’s awareness. The dog may defecate while sleeping, walking, or even standing still.
• Accidents: These are usually purposeful and occur due to factors like lack of housetraining, anxiety, or underlying medical conditions that increase the urgency to defecate. They are often associated with certain behaviours such as circling or pacing.

Paying close attention to the context of the defecation incident will help you distinguish between these two scenarios.

Potential Causes of a Dog Unable to Control Bowels

Several factors can contribute to a dog’s inability to control their bowels. It’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.

Neurological Issues

These problems impact the nerves that control bowel function.

• Spinal Cord Injuries or Diseases: Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt the signals between the brain and the bowel, leading to incontinence.
• Nerve Damage: Injury or disease affecting the nerves in the pelvic region can also impair bowel control. This can occur after surgery or trauma.
• Degenerative Myelopathy: This progressive disease affects the spinal cord and can cause hind limb weakness and eventual bowel incontinence.
• Brain Tumors or Lesions: Tumors or lesions affecting brain regions controlling bowel function are rare, but possible.

Age-Related Changes

Older dogs are more prone to incontinence due to weakened muscles and declining organ function.

• Weakened Anal Sphincter Muscles: The muscles responsible for closing the anus can weaken with age, leading to leakage.
• Cognitive Dysfunction (Dog Dementia): Similar to Alzheimer’s in humans, canine cognitive dysfunction can cause dogs to forget housetraining rules or lose awareness of their bodily functions.

Medical Conditions

Certain diseases and disorders can directly or indirectly impact bowel control.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract can cause frequent and urgent bowel movements, potentially overwhelming the dog’s ability to control themselves.
• Parasites: Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea and urgency, potentially leading to accidents, especially in puppies.
• Dietary Issues: Sudden changes in diet or consuming spoiled food can lead to digestive upset and temporary incontinence.
• Cancer: Tumors in the digestive tract can obstruct normal bowel function and affect continence.
• Anal Sac Disease: Impacted or infected anal sacs can cause pain and discomfort, leading to straining and difficulty controlling bowel movements.

Medications

Some medications can have side effects that affect bowel control.

• Diuretics: These medications increase urine production, but can also indirectly lead to looser stools or increased urgency, affecting bowel control.
• Steroids: Long-term use of corticosteroids can have various side effects, potentially including gastrointestinal disturbances.
• Other Medications: Discuss all medications your dog is taking with your vet to rule out potential side effects.

Effective Solutions for Managing Bowel Incontinence

The approach to managing bowel incontinence depends on the underlying cause.

Veterinary Diagnosis and Treatment

This is the most crucial step.

1. Consult your veterinarian: Describe your dog’s symptoms in detail.
2. Diagnostic testing: Your vet may recommend blood tests, fecal exams, X-rays, or other tests to determine the cause.
3. Treatment plan: Follow your vet’s recommendations, which may include medication, surgery, dietary changes, or other therapies.

Supportive Care

Regardless of the underlying cause, providing supportive care can improve your dog’s quality of life.

• Frequent Potty Breaks: Take your dog outside frequently, especially after meals and before bedtime.
• Easily Accessible Potty Area: Ensure your dog has easy access to a designated potty area.
• Protective Bedding: Use waterproof bedding and washable blankets to minimize mess.
• Good Hygiene: Gently clean your dog after accidents to prevent skin irritation.
• Diapers/Pads: Consider using dog diapers or absorbent pads to manage incontinence. Change these regularly.
• Dietary Management:
  • High-quality food: Feed your dog a high-quality diet appropriate for their age and health condition.
  • Fiber supplementation: Your vet may recommend adding fiber to your dog’s diet to help regulate bowel movements.
  • Probiotics: Probiotics can help support healthy gut bacteria and improve digestion.
  • Avoid triggering foods: Identify and avoid any foods that worsen your dog’s symptoms. This could include certain types of proteins or grains.

Environmental Adjustments

Modifying your dog’s environment can make managing incontinence easier.

• Easy-to-Clean Flooring: Choose flooring materials that are easy to clean and disinfect.
• Designated Potty Area: Create a clear and accessible potty area in your yard.

Medications

Depending on the cause of the incontinence, your vet may prescribe medications.

• Medications to strengthen the anal sphincter: These medications can help improve muscle tone and control.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: If IBD is the cause, anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce inflammation.
• Antibiotics: If an infection is present, antibiotics may be prescribed.

The following table summarises common causes and potential solutions:

Cause	Potential Solutions
Neurological Issues	Medication, surgery (in some cases), supportive care
Age-Related Changes	Medication, supportive care, dietary changes, management of underlying conditions
Medical Conditions	Treatment of the underlying condition (e.g., antibiotics for infection, anti-inflammatories for IBD), dietary changes, medication
Medications	Adjust medication dosage or switch to alternative medications (under vet supervision)

Dealing with your dog unable to control bowels is tough, but hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of what’s going on and how to help. Remember to work closely with your vet, and don’t lose hope – there are ways to make things better for your furry friend!