My 9 year old Border collie?

Question

has recently started having problems with "leaking". It has occurred during the day but seems to be mostly at night. She never empties her bladder fully, only small amounts here and there, but on 3 mornings now there has been a significant wet spot underneath her on the bed. I don't need to know that she needs to see a vet, that is a given and I have already made an appointment. What I do need to know is what I can expect from the visit i.e. possible tests, causes, and treatments. This dog is my baby and I just don't want any devestating surprises, I want to be fully prepared for any scenario. Any help would be appreciated!

I haven't really thought that this is the cause of a UTI because he has had several in past year and has not had this as a symptom.

sorry, past years, not just last year.

Answer 1

I am glad that you said that you have already made an appointment at the vet.
She could have something as simple as a bladder or urinary tract infection, or something a bit more complicated like the beginnings of dementia.

Dogs can suffer from memory loss the same as human beings, and they can be put on medications to improve bladder and bowel control.

She may have something called a weakened urethral sphincter. This is a typical diagnosis in a older dog when she is exhibiting the leakage while she is sleeping. If this is the diagnosis she will be put on phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which helps to tighten the sphincter. Your vet will do a urinalysis and a blood test to make sure that she doesn't have a kidney problem or a bladder infection.

I watched a friend go through this type of thing with her Shepard, although her dog was a few years older. Her dog was on medication for awhile after her diagnosis and actually had a few more years of wonderful life after this diagnosis.

I wish you and your dog the best, border collies are wonderful, one of my neighbors has one and I keep treats for him when he comes over to visit.
I have a Pom and four cats, so I know what it is like to go through illnesses with animals.

Answer 2

Hi there, I am a Veterinarian Technition and hope I can help you! I hightly recommend that you try to get a urine sample from your dog to bring to the vet's office. I know it sounds like an impossible task, but it is worth a try to aviod a Cysto (which is the extraction of urine directly from bladder by use of a needle). A wide container works really well. Follow your dog outside when you know they have to urinate and (I know you will feel like a fool!!) hold the container to try to catch as much as you can. You vet only needs about 1 tablespoon of urine to run an Urine Analysis. Frequent urination in small quanities screams UTI (urinary tract infection) to me. Have you also noticed an increase in thurst (your vet will also ask)? That is another symptom of an UTI. You vet will probably start with the Urine Analysis to check for crystals in the urine (an UTI) and if they do find crystals your vet will prescribe an antibiotic (Clavamox, usually for 14 days) as well as prescribing a prescription diet (Urinary SO is a common choice among vets). The combination of the two should eliminate the crystals in the 14 days. However, I do recommend you bring another sample of urine to your vet after you finish the anitbiotic to recheck the urine to make sure the medication and diet were effective. Sometimes dogs need another round of the antibiotics. If your vet does not find crystals in the urine, your vet may suggest a Urine Culture (almost like a pap-smear) to be sen out to the lab to be "cooked" to grow bacteria (rods, stems, etc.). Urine Cultures can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks at times to grow bacteria. If bacteria is grown your vet will prescribe the proper medication dependingon the type of bacteria. Now, lets suppose both the Urine Analysis and Urine Culture come back negative (which I would be really surprised, so please don't worry!) your vet will suggest a panel of bloodwork to be done to check the different levels on your dogs organs to see if any of the organs are unhappy (possibly infected/enlarged), which could absolutely be contributing to the leaking. I hope I was able to answer your question! Good luck with your baby!

Answer 3

She could have the possible following.
Weakened Bladder - from age, not much you can do but clean up after her
Urinary Tract Infection or Bladder Infection - can be cleared up with antibiotics and treatable she'll be back to normal after no time
Renal Failure or Kidney Diesease - Early stage you may be able to retard further damage with medicaitons and she may only leak a little till she passes.
Cysts and Bladder Tumors - Sometimes cancerous, sometimes just fatty cysts that is pushing on the bladder or urethra
Could be so many things, and since its only in the leak stage and only a little you may have caught what ever it is early. Good Luck and let the vet help you out when you get there. Dont be afraid to ask him all the questions and concerns you need to ask. Be sure to right down everything on paper so you dont forget to ask him what you wanted to since you might be upset and stressed and forget what you wanted.
HEY VET TECH your a Veterinarian Technition... yikes I hope you dont put that on applications . I think its technician...

Answer 4

Your dog is probably getting older. 9 years is senior. Just try to take her to go to the potty more often, but if you are concerned, go to the vet.