Posterior displacement of the bladder is a medical condition whereby the bladder has started to slide backwards from its normal position in the abdomen. However, this condition can often be very troublesome for your dog and can adversely affect your dog's urinary health as well as your dog's comfort; although it is often dependent on the breed as well as the age of your dog. However, by knowing the signs as well as treatment of posterior displacement of the bladder can help you keep your beloved dog as healthy as possible.
Symptoms
If your dog has posterior displacement of the bladder you may notice:
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Difficulty Urinating: Straining or having multiple attempts to urinate unsuccessfully.
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Incontinence: Accidental leaking of urine between legitimate bathroom visits.
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Frequent Urination: Needing to urinate more often than normal.
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Discomfort or Pain: Signs of discomfort during attempts to urinate or signs of discomfort when the abdomen is palpated.
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Behavior Changes: Increased restlessness or a reluctance to move.
If you have noticed any signs like these, please make veterinary evaluation a priority.
Causes
It is difficult to determine the exact reasons a dog experiences posterior displacement of the bladder but some of the contributing factors are:
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Genetic Anomalies: Some breeds may have a genetic predisposition for urethra anomalies and posterior dislocation.
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Obesity: Extra weight can negatively impact the soft tissue support of organs in the abdomen.
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Age: As dogs age, the pelvic muscles and ligaments can weaken leading to conditions like posterior displacement of the bladder.
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Low mobility or inactivity due to other health conditions: Injury or existing issues with the pelvic and abdominal muscles may cause proneness to posterior dislocation of the bladder.
Understanding the risk factors associated with each contributing cause will help you take some good measures for detection and prevention of incidents.
Diagnosis
There are varying techniques utilized by veterinarians when diagnosing posterior bladder displacement, especially if multiple diagnostic tests exist. In dogs, examinations include:
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Physical Examination: The veterinarian will palpate the abdomen, particularly in the pelvic area to determine any abnormalities or abnormalities in the location of the bladder.
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Imaging techniques: Veterinarians may utilize radiographic techniques like x-rays or ultrasound to visualize the underlying location near the pelvis and look for structural damage implying posterior bladder distention.
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Urinalysis: This includes tests of urine samples to ensure that infections or obstacles are not associated with the posterior displacement.
With early detection and identification a treatment plan will be initiated.
Options to Treat Dog with Posterior Displacement of Bladder
Depending on the severity of the displacement and the dog's overall condition, treatment for a posterior displaced bladder can include:
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Medications: Treatment may include medications for pain, inflammation or infection of the urinary tract.
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Possible surgery: In cases of an impacted bladder, expensive options include positional surgery versus the surgical option of reducing or securing the bladder during surgery.
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Consider healthier lifestyle choices such as reducing weights through exercise by managing your dog's activity level. Your veterinarian will guide you on the appropriate options.
Home Care and Future Steps
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Keep track of your dog's urination habits and report any changes.
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Provide your dog with medication as prescribed; don't miss the doses!
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You can manage your dog's weight by utilizing healthy dietary habits and exercises to not only lose weight but to strengthen the body's supporting muscles.
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Ensure future vet visits, so that your dog can be followed up to monitor progress or regress.
Most dogs can comfortably live with a condition such as posterior displacement of the bladder. With some general care a lot can be accomplished with your dog! If you see any signs that raise the alarm for bladder health, do not wait to be evaluated. Contact your veterinarian to schedule an x-ray to see if such issues are apparent on the diagnostic.
