A question about an old dog

[MissB]

Our dear old neurotic dog seems to be (half?) incontinent.

She doesn't have an uti, according to the vet. She just seems to no longer sense when she pees. There isn't any awareness nor any hanging of the head. Her fur is always urine soaked (yes, she gets a bath but we can't do it hourly).

I have a call into our vet. What I'm curious about is this- is this typical for an old dog? We've never had an old dog- our first one died young. She's at the low range of the typical life span (12 - 14 years).

[Avalux]

1. Yes.

Urine incontinence is common in older dogs; their bladders becomes weak and the urine leaks out (much like people in their older years).

If your dog will tolerate them, you can try these:

http://www.petdiapers.com/

:hi:

[MissB]

3. Thanks for that info-

I don't know why I didn't think of googling up dog incontinence!

[Avalux]

10. I recently looked into it -

my Ellie is 12 and is starting to fail. The diapers help save the carpets and furniture. :hi:

[flvegan]

2. It can be. Have your vet do a thorough exam.

Make sure she doesn't have any internal issue that's placing additional pressure on her bladder.

Good luck to your girl.

[MissB]

5. She is one big issue, poor girl

She has the hot spot from he'll (round two of antibiotics). Thorough vet exam two days ago- no fever.

She will see the vet again to tomorrow.

Thanks!

[Shell Beau]

8. Those hot spots are the devil!

[flvegan]

12. How long has this been a problem? Antibiotics can cause

the need for frequent urination, and that may be troublesome for her. Just another potential issue.

Glad she's getting to an expert tomorrow, and I hope the answers are positive.

[MissB]

13. We've noticed a lot of dribbles in recent months

But the steady dripping/puddles probably line up fairly well to her antibiotic courses.

The thing is- she has constant access to the outside (no barriers) and still doesn't seem to sense the pee.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. Yep, our GSD had incontinence that the vet thought was a UTI at first

It turned out to be bladder cancer that was pretty far gone. I think she was 11. She had already been blind for a couple years at that point, but she got around fine being blind, and it oddly improved her temperament with strangers. When she went blind, she stopped trying to eat them. Really sweet dog with the family and our cats, though. When my mom bought Cuddles, the passive aggressive Ragdoll home, Cheyenne "adopted" him and used to pick him up by the scruff and carry him when he was little. They'd sleep together and Cuddles grew up acting more like a dog, than a cat. It was pretty funny.

Good luck to her dog.

[MissB]

14. Thanks

She has a kitty buddy too- mom dropped off a six week old kitten a few years ago, and she adopted him. I don't know what he would do without her.

[Shell Beau]

4. There are many issues that could cause that. Is she on any medication?

But it can be an old age thing just like for people, but other things need to be ruled out first. :)

[MissB]

7. Antibiotic and antihistimine

We opted to avoid steroids at this point because we knew she was having urinary issues. It just seems constant right now- "mop" is not a good name for a dog.

[UTUSN]

6. I will NEVER get over putting a dog down. n/t

[MissB]

9. Yeah. I hear you.

We want to balance a whole bunch of things here. We've had the discussion but neither of us are ready for that.

[undeterred]

15. I have had two dogs live into their teens

without becoming incontinent. One was 13 and died of cancer/renal problems. The other one died of old age.

[murphymom]

16. Had a problem with our old Airedale last summer

She's an indoor dog and started leaving little puddles around the house, plus had a really foul odor. Vet diagnosed a bladder infection and also said that older spayed dogs can get a problem where the sphincter never completely closes and they dribble. She prescribed an antibiotic to clear up the bladder infection plus something called Proin 25 for the incontinence, and she's been fine ever since. At her age we have to let her out frequently, but so far no problems unless she's stuck indoors too long.

[JenaLaw]

17. having the same problem with my old man...

Jack is 20. yes, 20!!

He is a good old man...but has always been a slightly neurotic dog.

He is fine at home during the week, but I spend weekends at Thomcat's place, and he seems to be having his issues there. Think a lot of it is a seperation anxiety thing. He is fairly blind and going deaf...and this probably just does not smell like home to him.

Diapers are a part of the weekend wardrobe now. And Rescue Remedy. I hate to medicate him...but also hate the constant rug cleaning!

good luck with your dog.