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Leaking Urine While Asleep After an Early Spay

by Joe

Reader Question
My Rhodesian Ridgeback has been incontinent since she was 5 months old. She started urinating in her sleep shortly after she was spayed. Our vet has ruled out infection as the cause. My vet and another vet my puppy has seen feel she is too young to be having hormonal problems due to the spaying. We tried two medications. One worked but left her listless, so we stopped it, and the other had no effect.

Since the urination in her sleep was so intermittent, we decided to manage it with no meds. However, now she is a year old and the problem is worse than ever. It's happening every day. Can anyone give me a fairly accurate diagnosis or recommend what we should do next?


Answer from Our Team

We're sorry this has been so frustrating. Leaking urine while asleep after spaying is a recognized problem. It's usually caused by a weaker bladder outlet, and larger breeds are more at risk. Your vets are right that it's less common in very young dogs, but it does happen.

Since infection has been ruled out, ask your vet about checking for other causes in young dogs, such as a urinary tract that formed abnormally (for example, an ectopic ureter), a recessed vulva, or bladder stones. Tests such as an ultrasound or a referral to an internal medicine specialist can help find the cause.

There are several medications for urinary leaking, and if one causes side effects your vet may be able to adjust the treatment or try another option. Some young dogs improve after their bladder matures, and procedures that tighten the bladder outlet are available if medicine doesn't work. Meanwhile, washable bedding and keeping the skin clean and dry help prevent urine scald.

See urinary incontinence in dogs and spaying dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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