Submissive incontinence - will it get worse if we spay?

Re: Submissive incontinence - will it get worse if we spay?

scatty — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:04:25 GMT

[quote user="Iain McAllister"]

I have a 11 month old entire female Lhasa who gets this when excited, greeting people etc - they want her spayed - is there an increased risk of SMI if a bitch already suffers from submissive incontinence or are the 2 unrelated?

thanks

[/quote]

I went to a talk about some of the complications associated with neutering - the myths and the truths by Davina Anderson from Anderson Moores referrals. She said that the concept of urethral sphincter mechanism incontinence (USMI ) being related to the surgical technique or age at neutering is a fallacy. However, (in agreement with Stephen) ; do not neuter young adults who are 'dribbly' without first ruling out ectopic ureters, intra pelvic bladders or congenital USMI.

I guess that 'submissive incontinence' already puts her on the 'dribbly spectrum'! There was some anecdotal evidence to say that extra caution should be taken if the bitch is dribbly before she is spayed. I guess with her being a small breed dog and not a breed predisposed to USMI, these factors go in her favour. Definitely worth warning the owners about possible complications though! Good luck!

Re: Submissive incontinence - will it get worse if we spay?

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:09:28 GMT

Unrelated. she should improve with age, but if there is any doubt it is probably best to delay the spay or use something less permanent like suprelorin.

I would also go to some lengths diagnostically to make sure there is nothing else going on. Owners' descriptions can be wildly wrong and it is easy to get led astray.

Re: Submissive incontinence - will it get worse if we spay?

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:07:21 GMT

I'd say they are unrelated - it isn't incontinence as much as a behavioural problem. The dribbling issue does need some behavioural therapy but I doubt spaying will make any difference, good or bad.

(Incidentally, the first thing to check is that the owners are neither punishing the puppy for bad behaviours, nor reassuring it for nervous/submissive behaviours - as both will make the problem worse. They need to ignore the dog's inappropriate behavior completely!)

Re: Submissive incontinence - will it get worse if we spay?

Rob Loxley — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:08:44 GMT

I'd be cautious about surgical neutering of such a patient, in case it worsens. How about suprelorin?