Mary Allen
Introduction: Understanding Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes is a common disease that affects dogs, just like it does in humans. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When a dog has diabetes, their blood sugar levels remain high, leading to various health complications. Diabetes can affect a dog’s bladder control, causing urinary incontinence.
Canine Bladder Control: How It Works
Bladder control in dogs is a complex process that involves the nervous system, muscles, and hormones. When a dog’s bladder is full, nerves send a signal to the brain, which triggers the bladder muscles to contract. At the same time, the sphincter muscles around the bladder neck relax to allow urine to flow out. In healthy dogs, bladder control is effortless and involuntary. However, in some conditions, such as diabetes, bladder control can be lost, leading to urinary incontinence.
Diabetes and Urinary Incontinence: A Connection?
Diabetes can cause various urinary problems in dogs, including incontinence. Incontinence refers to the inability to control urine flow, causing leakage or dribbling. In diabetic dogs, incontinence occurs due to nerve damage, which affects the bladder muscles and sphincter muscles’ coordination. The nerve damage results from high blood sugar levels, which can damage nerves over time. Incontinence can also occur due to a urinary tract infection, which is common in diabetic dogs.