Urinary incontinence as consequence of castration in bitches

Sa？etak The most common cause of urinary incontinence in bitches is castration. The causes of urinary incontinence can be classified as neurological and non-neurological with castration being one of those. Numerous studies indicate the interrelation of urinary incontinence and the age of the animal at the moment of castration. The results of these studies differ, but there is a general consideration that the risk of urinary incontinence in bitches is higher if the animals are castrated before three months of age. Considering ovariectomy, the age of the animal will not affect the development of urinary incontinence if the weight of an adult does not exceed 15 kg. In smaller dog breeds the risk of developing urinary incontinence is lower and the risk does not seem to correlate with the age when castration is performed. In bigger dog breeds where the expected adult body weight exceeds 15 kilograns the risk of urinary incontinence is higher. Urinary incontinence is easy to diagnose, but determining its exact cause requires extensive diagnostics. The primary method of treatment is through medication in which α-agonists play a major role. In cases where medication therapy fails interventional and surgical methods are used