What, if anything, can be done about incontinence in dogs?

Question

My dog is 15, almost 16 years old. She is a mutt ( shelter rescue) and I absolutely adore her. However, this is getting extremely difficult to live with. She was always the best dog, especially as far as being housebroken. Now she just goes... sometimes right in front of me! I spend half of my life getting the smell out of the carpet with enzyme cleaners and my husband is getting rather upset about it. I just wondered if anyone else has had similar problems and what can be done. Thanks!

Just wanted to add that unless I would discover that something was HORRIBLY wrong with her and she was suffering (which does not seem to be the case) I would never consider putting her down. She literally is like my oldest child! I have had her longer than I have had my children. I plan on taking her to the vet ASAP, but thought I would run it through here to see if anyone had experience or if I was just wasting my time (old age, nothing to do to help it).

Answer 1

There is a syrup the vet can give her. It is usually quite effective.

There is also a way of healing your dog by natural remedies, which I may be able to help you with, at distance. This would be slower, and ought to be done alongside with the syrup. Such treatments would improve her overall condition, not just the problem. I only suggest this since you write how much you love the dog. I also have a 16 years old, you may read about her on my website.

Answer 2

Always start these conversations with YOUR VET! There are a couple possibilities, bladder infection, hormone deficit, and tumors are the most likely. Ensure that a urinalysis and bloodpanel are normal, and as long as your vet feels there is not a papable mass in the abdomen, you may choose to skip an x-ray. At that point, there are several drugs that can be considered, and puppy diapers are a good idea if the mess is the part you are upset with. Do not just leave them on the dog though, as they get skin rashs just like children. Please take the time to rule out something that can be controled with some inexpensive drugs before you put her to death. It does have to happen sometime, but don't jump to that decision because the carpet is ruined, it is already urinated on, that won't change, but you'll have to live with your decision for the rest of your life, make sure it is done after reasonable measures have been taken to help your dog. 15 years of love have earned your dog the right to expect you to help her. If your husband is concerned over money, make sure he's not buying smokes or alcohol first! That usually covers most vet bills! ;)

Answer 3

I would consult your Vet about the problem. I do not think crating her would help. She may just be getting like older people do and just can't hold it for any length of time. But there could be a problem of an infection or something that you won't know without the Vet running tests to find the answer. I hope you get it taken care of soon,am sure it is a problem for all concerned including the poor dog. Give her a pet for me and hope it all works out.

Answer 4

Unfortunately at that age there is not much that can be done. You can speak with your vet about certain medications that may help with her incontinence, but I can't say for sure if it will solve your problems with her. You can try letting her out more frequently or making sure you don't give her too much water at once when you cannot let her out soon after.

You may need to keep her sequester to certain areas of the house that make it easier for you to clean up after her.

Just on the off chance you can have her checked by your vet to make sure she does not have a urine infection.

Good luck.

Answer 5

This is common with older spayed female dogs. Call your vet - most likely he will want to test her urine to make sure she does not have an infection first, but then can prescribe a very cheap pill to stop this. In the meantime, you can use doggie diapers or fit her with human ones with a place cut out for her tail. Good luck!

Answer 6

It sounds kinda odd but they sell doggie diapers at the pet stores. I told a friend to do the same with her elderly dog and it worked out. She also tried by hmans baby diapers and cutting a hole for the tail. Both worked and she did not have to get rid of her beloved friend.

Answer 7

there is a pill i've heard about, i wish i had known about it before i had to put my dog down, incontinence was becoming a problem amoung other things. but there are also doggie diapers. its like a human pad, thats stuck to doggie underpants. same basic idea with menstral pads.

please check to make sure something else isnt wrong too. my dog had a disease that made her lose feeling from her waist down. incontinence was a symptom.

Answer 8

My dog did this when he was elderly. There is nothing you can do apart from let it out into the garden frequently.

She is very elderly and you have to be prepared that it could a symptom of a serious health problem.

Answer 9

It's really sad when that happens!

I had an 14 year old lab, he was in the same state. I actually used pull-ups on him with a cut out for his tail...

Answer 10

Definitly go to a vet about this! It could be a bladder problem, which they might be able to help! Go to a vet right away! It will help your pet and your floors!