What should I do about my dog?

Question

I have a 14-year-old maltese and for the past few months he has had trouble holding his bladder. I have been keeping him gated in the laundry room/and or kitchen to keep him from urinating on the carpet. I have a toddler so it's really important to keep a clean floor. We just moved to a new house and the area available for him is much smaller, we also no longer have a big fenced in yard for him. I also have a 5-year-old bichon frise and if she's not locked up with him he whines and howls. What would be worse, to keep him locked in a small room most of the time, or to have him put down when he's otherwise a healthy dog. I've had him for half my life so it's a really hard decision---what would you do?

Answer 1

I would suggest taking him to the vet to see what's causing the bladder problem.

If it turns out there's nothing the vet can do for it, you can get doggie diapers for him at the pet store or online - doggie diapers for males may also be called a "belly band", since for a male it just has to cover his p***s (can I use that word on here?). You can find washable & reuseable ones, or even make your own 'belly band' for him out of a sweatshirt sleeve and a maxi-pad - put a maxi pad in the sweatshirt sleeve, center it over his p***s, and tie the sleeve ends together on his back. After you put the diaper or belly band on, distract him from the strange feeling by playing with him and giving him some treats. If he tries to chew on the diaper, you can spray bitter apple spray (from the pet store) on them so he won't chew at them. Be sure to check the diaper regularly and change it if it's wet, to prevent him from getting an infection.

http://malteserescue.homestead.com/MaltShopPages/BellyBamds.html

http://www.pekeatzurescue.com/bellybands.htm

Answer 2

I would have his blood tested by the vet. Usually dogs that have bladder control issues do have kidney problems and etc. Minor kidney problems can be helped with medicine from the doctor - although with a special diet however it has to be determined by the vet. If a kidney problem is left un-noticed for a long time, you dog could be suffering terribly! Definitely call the vets and ask for some tests to be done. In my eyes, it is worth the money!

Answer 3

What did the vet say? It sounds like it could be a problem relating to old age. How was it's last kidney function test from the senior blood panel? There may be something the vet can do to help the condition.

Answer 4

A vet can give this poor dog medication to help control his incontinence. It's really sad to think you'd consider putting him down or locking him up for something that has an easy remedy!

Answer 5

Have you asked the vet for suggestions. They do have doggie dipers have you tried those. I am not going to tell you to put him down as I know I would have a real hard time with that myself. I would talk with the vet to see if there are any other things that can be done for him!!

Answer 6

First of all, talk to a vet. They can tell you how much time he has left. I personally wouldn't leave him in there all the time. You are sadly just isolating him from the people he loves in his last years of his life. Talk to a vet ASAP.

Answer 7

I would strongly recommend a vet visit for your dog to see if he can recommend any suggestions for medication for incontinence, there are some out on the market that do work.. Good Luck.

Answer 8

keep him locked up when he is inside but take him out for walks often. Would you have your best friend put down ? I think not

Answer 9

wow, i definately wouldn't put him down for that. have you talked to the vet to see if he can get any pills for bladder control? they have them for people i would think they'd have them for dogs too. also, your could try to train him to go on puppy pads, thats what my dogs use when it is to cold to go outside.