Symptoms of Lack of Bowel Control in Dogs
The inability to control bowel movements stems from a lack of communication of sorts between the brain and the colon. There can be various explanations for the problem, and the veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem. Take note of the following signs, and relay them to the veterinarian at your clinic visit:
Symptoms of Bowel Incontinence in Dogs
The signs of bowel incontinence are caused by your dog not being able to control his bowel movements and may include one or more of the following:
Types
Reservoir incontinence is the inability to hold the fecal matter, giving the dog a frequent urge to defecate. Pain may also cause an unwillingness to defecate properly.
What is bowel incontinence?
Bowel incontinence refers to the loss of the ability to control bowel movements.
Bowel incontinence can present in a number of different ways. In some cases, dogs with bowel incontinence may drop small amounts of feces without any awareness that they are doing so. In other cases, pets may be aware of their bowel movements, but are unable to control them.
Causes of bowel incontinence can be divided into two broad categories: reservoir incontinence and sphincter incontinence.
Reservoir incontinence refers to any disease of the rectum (the last part of the large intestine that leads out of the body) that prevents stool from being held or stored in a normal manner. This can occur in cases of diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or any other disease that affects the intestines. In a dog with reservoir incontinence, the rectum cannot store a normal volume of stool, which results in the pet being unable to control the urge to defecate.
Sphincter incontinence refers to the inability of the anal sphincter (the muscle that closes the anal opening) to remain in a closed position. When the anal sphincter does not close properly, feces can leak out. There are two possible causes of sphincter incontinence. Any lesion that disrupts the anal sphincter, such as an anal wound or mass, can interfere with its function. Additionally, damage to the nerves that control the anal sphincter (which stem from the spinal cord and travel to the sphincter) can interfere with its ability to function normally.
Why Does My Dog Poop In The House After Going Outside (Answered and Explained With 7 Reasons)
Older dogs of both sexes can struggle with incontinence, which is the inability to control the elimination of urine and/or stool. Common causes of incontinence in senior dogs include urinary tract infections, kidney disease, arthritis, and dementia. Supplements and medications can help treat incontinence in dogs, though if there is a root health issue causing it you can certainly treat that. Learn the causes of incontinence in older dogs and strategies for dealing with it.