Not a pleasant sight: suddenly, your dog is lying in a wet bed in the morning. It smells of urine and they look at you sheepishly. Their nose is still working well and they clearly feel uncomfortable.
It mostly affects female dogs. The sphincter muscle of the bladder weakens, especially in spayed or older female dogs. In some cases, a bladder infection (see corresponding article) may also be responsible for uncontrolled urine loss. In this case, the incontinence will disappear once the infection has been treated. Sometimes, male dogs also experience incontinence due to illness. In very rare cases, this can also lead to involuntary defecation.
An incontinent dog feels very uncomfortable because it prefers a clean bed. So don't punish it under any circumstances. Be sure to seek veterinary help to get to the root of the problem and help your dog. Certain medications can be used to try to stabilize the sphincter muscle.
However, this will not be completely successful in cases of age-related incontinence, and both dog and owner will have to learn to live with the problem as best they can. Your dog needs you as a companion until the end, now more than ever. Take them outside even more regularly so that they can empty their bladder often. A waterproof pad and special dog diapers can be helpful for the inconvenience at home. These are available as disposable or washable cloth diapers, adapted to size and gender. If your dog wears diapers permanently, it is important that you remove them several times a day—preferably during long walks—to prevent skin irritation. As in any truly good relationship, this applies in good times and bad.
Especially during the cold and wet season, dogs can also suffer from painful inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and the entire lower urinary tract. The causes and symptoms are similar to those of bladder infections in humans. Is your dog urinating more frequently than usual and in pain when doing so, or has it even accidentally urinated in the house even though it has been house-trained for a long time? Then your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, which should be treated by a veterinarian.
It can occur suddenly or develop slowly and almost unnoticed. The horse seems to be stiff, and riding together is no longer enjoyable. What is going on?
With age, signs of wear and tear become noticeable in the body, even in our horses. Good care, adequate nutrition, and appropriate training are the best prerequisites for a long, healthy horse life. It is always important to remain attentive in order to quickly notice small changes and take action.
You drive to the stable in high spirits and lead your horse out of the pasture full of enthusiasm. But as soon as you start walking it to the grooming area, you notice that something is wrong. The familiar sound of hooves on the ground sounds somehow different. When you lunge your horse, it becomes clear: your horse is lame!
Horses and humans speak different languages. While humans primarily communicate through spoken language, horses mainly communicate through body language. It is important that you understand your horse in order to work together harmoniously. Here is a little translation guide to help you.
Danger can lurk anywhere, whether at the side of the road, in forests, or even in your own pasture. Eating poisonous plants can be fatal for horses. But plants are not the only source of danger when it comes to poisoning.
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is transmitted by ticks. It occurs widely in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in single areas further north. Not only humans are infected, but also dogs, horses, sheep, goats, and cattle. In severe cases, the disease can be fatal.
These growths, which occur relatively frequently in cats, are not cancerous, as is often mistakenly assumed. They are benign, pedunculated mucosal protrusions that are often also inflamed. Young cats up to two years of age are particularly affected.
Bringing a little kitten into your home is exciting, emotional, and comes with a lot of responsibility. Especially in the first few weeks, everything revolves around settling in, getting to know each other, and the needs of the new family member. But at some point, the question almost automatically arises: When can your kitten actually stay home alone, and how can you gently prepare them for this challenge? In this article, you will learn how to help your kitten get used to short periods of separation step by step and what you should pay attention to.
Time and time again, people find injured, supposedly sick or orphaned wild animals in their gardens, in towns or in the countryside. This is particularly common in spring and summer. But does the animal really need help? Traffic accidents involving wild animals are also a frequent occurrence in rural areas. So what is the right thing to do? Here you will find the most important information.
Small dog breeds are often underestimated when it comes to their diet. Dogs weighing between four and ten kilograms have their own specific requirements, which differ significantly from those of larger breeds. With the right food, you can support their health in a targeted manner – from puppyhood to old age.
Let the adventure begin – it's time to buy a horse! The excitement is palpable. But before rushing headlong into buying the first shiny pony you see, every new horse owner should ask themselves a few important questions.
