[Back to Health Home][Back to Endocrine] Susan Thorpe-Vargas,
Ph.D. that many people have never heard of may be indirectly
causing canine deaths. Not only is the disease dangerous in
itself, but the primary symptoms include a behavior that could
be perceived, or misinterpreted by owners, trainers and
veterinarians, as purposefully destructive, and which figures
prominently in the statistics of animals turned over to dog
pounds and to veterinarians for euthanasia. The behavior we are
referring to is the need for frequent urination. Seldom do
owners and veterinarians search for potential medical problems
that might contribute to house soiling behaviors. And, if they
do, seldom are those searches for medical causes of
inappropriate elimination practices complete. At least a quarter
of all dogs euthanized or turned into shelters are given up
because of behavior related issues. Near the top of the list of
reasons for euthanasia and being turned into shelters is house
soiling. Therefore, whenever an inappropriate e