Bowel & Bladder Care for DM Dogs

Managing incontinence in a DM dog is one of the hardest parts of this journey — but with the right routine, you can keep your dog clean, comfortable, and infection-free.

If your dog has been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (DM), you probably already know the disease is progressive. What the pamphlets don’t always prepare you for is the moment your dog has an accident in their bed and can’t even tell it happened. That hit me harder than almost anything else. But here’s what I’ve learned: this is manageable. It just takes a new routine and a few key skills.

You can read more about how DM unfolds overall in our degenerative myelopathy guides — this article focuses specifically on the bladder and bowel piece, which deserves its own deep dive.

Why DM Causes Bladder and Bowel Problems

Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive neurological disease that slowly destroys the white matter of the spinal cord. As the nerve signals from the brain to the hind end get weaker, your dog loses voluntary control — first over their legs, then eventually over their bladder and bowel sphincters.

This isn’t your dog being lazy or having a behavioral problem. The wiring is literally failing. Most dogs reach the point of incontinence when they can no longer stand or support any weight through their back end. Some dogs show signs sooner; some hold on longer. Either way, it’s coming, and knowing what to do before it arrives makes all the difference.

Your vet can help you figure out which type your dog has. It matters, because the management approach is slightly different. When in doubt, always check with your vet before starting manual bladder expression at home.

How Do I Express My DM Dog’s Bladder?

Manual bladder expression — gently squeezing the bladder from the outside to empty it — sounds intimidating. I was terrified the first time. But once a vet tech showed me the technique in person, it became as routine as brushing teeth.

Here’s the basic process:

• Position your dog: Most medium and large dogs do best lying on their side. Small dogs can sometimes be held upright over a wee pad.
• Locate the bladder: Feel the lower abdomen, just in front of the pelvis. A full bladder is firm and round. An empty one is soft and hard to find — that’s a good sign.
• Apply steady, gentle pressure: Use both hands cupped around the bladder and apply slow, even inward pressure. Don’t squeeze hard or fast. You’re coaxing, not forcing.
• Release and repeat: Let urine flow into a pee pad or over a drain. Pause, reposition slightly, and express again until you feel the bladder soften.
• Aim for every 4–6 hours: Most dogs need expressing 3–4 times a day at minimum. If your dog leaks between sessions, try more frequent expression.

I can’t stress this enough — have your vet or a vet tech show you in person before attempting this at home. Reading about it is helpful; having someone guide your hands the first time is essential. According to VCA Hospitals, incomplete bladder emptying significantly increases the risk of urinary tract infections, so proper technique really does matter.

UTIs in paralyzed dogs can escalate fast. If you notice any of these, call your vet the same day — don’t wait.

Managing Bowel Incontinence

Bowel control typically goes a little later than bladder control, but it follows the same nerve pathway. When it goes, it often goes suddenly and completely.

A few things that helped us:

• Feed at consistent times: Predictable feeding times lead to more predictable bowel movements. I feed at the same two times every day.
• Track timing: Most dogs poop 20–40 minutes after eating. If you know your dog’s window, you can position them on an easy-to-clean surface or outside beforehand.
• Stool consistency matters: Soft or loose stool is much harder to manage than well-formed stool. Talk to your vet about fiber or diet adjustments if your dog consistently has loose stools.
• Keep a waterproof mat or “poop station”: I have a designated spot in our living room with a waterproof mat covered in a washable fleece pad. It has saved countless cleanups.

Some caregivers use dog diapers for bowel incontinence, but I find they need to be checked constantly to avoid skin breakdown. They work better as a backup for outings than as a full-time solution.

Protecting Skin: Urine Scald and Pressure Sores

This is the part people don’t talk about enough. Urine sitting against skin — especially in skin folds or under the tail — causes chemical burns called urine scald. It’s painful, it can get infected, and it happens fast.

Bedding matters enormously here too. Waterproof mattress covers under a washable fleece pad are a game-changer. The fleece wicks moisture away from your dog’s skin while you deal with the mess underneath. I wash our fleece pads every single day — it’s just part of the routine now.

For dogs who are fully down (unable to walk at all), also check for pressure sores over bony points like hips, elbows, and the base of the tail. Turning your dog every few hours and using a supportive orthopedic bed helps prevent these. Our neurological care guides cover positioning and pressure sore prevention in more depth.

Does It Get Easier?

Honestly? Yes. The first two weeks of managing incontinence felt completely overwhelming — I cried more than I’d like to admit. But like everything with caring for a disabled dog, you build a system, your hands learn the routine, and it stops feeling like a crisis every time.

Your dog is still in there — still wagging, still watching you with those eyes. They don’t feel ashamed or broken. The incontinence is just a logistics problem, and you are more capable of solving it than you think. Lean on your vet, connect with other DM caregivers online, and give yourself credit for showing up every single day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do DM dogs lose bladder and bowel control?

Most dogs with degenerative myelopathy lose bladder and bowel control in the mid-to-late stages, typically when they can no longer support their hindquarters at all. It varies dog to dog, but if your dog is dragging both back legs consistently, incontinence is likely coming soon.

How do I know if my DM dog’s bladder is full?

Gently palpate (feel) your dog’s lower belly, just in front of the pelvis. A full bladder feels like a firm, round water balloon. If your dog seems restless, is leaking urine, or hasn’t urinated in over 6 hours, check for bladder fullness right away.

Can a DM dog get a urinary tract infection from incontinence?

Yes — UTIs are one of the most common complications in dogs with DM-related incontinence. Urine pooling around the skin, incomplete bladder emptying, and catheter use all raise the risk. Watch for cloudy or foul-smelling urine, straining, or blood in the urine and call your vet promptly.

Should I use diapers or belly bands for my DM dog?

They can help manage messes, but they must be changed frequently — every 2 to 4 hours — to prevent urine scald and skin infections. Never use diapers as a substitute for regular manual bladder expression if your dog has lost voluntary bladder control.

This guide is based on real experience and should be used alongside professional veterinary care. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any new treatment or making changes to your dog’s care plan.