Sigh - poor Jimmy (8 yr old diabetic Aussie-poo), it's just one issue after another it seems? The "water weirdness" finally was resolved by him sitting at the kitchen sink, asking for a drink (even though the "terrifying water bowl" is 3' away - he would die of thirst before touching that). But if *I* hold the Magical Square White Bowl, (?) he will happily drink. sigh....So now I've discovered damp-ish spots in the morning, where he likes to sleep between us at night. Weirdly, these spots smell like urine, but don't glow in ultraviolet light like a "normal" urine spot does. Scratching my head on that one. Is it possible that he's sleeping so deeply, that he "leaks"? Or even dreams of peeing... ? I mean, he's a true gentleman when indoors - would NEVER potty in the house, let alone on a bed he likes to sleep in. And he's really good at waking me if he needs to pee during the night. I'd be willing to wager a huge amount of money that he is NOT doing this consciously.I don't think it's a UTI - he seems OK, can go a long time before asking to go out, then empties his bladder like a Pro. The urine appears clear and pale straw-colored.I have some incontinence "belts" ordered for him - I feel like that's kinder than banishing him from the bed - and a ton easier to deal with than washing king-sized bedding :-(Has anyone else with a diabetic dog had to deal with this? Aside from this - he's his usual happy, lovable self....

It could be volume of urine issues due to diabetes, incontinence (though much more common in females than males) unrelated to diabetes or something else.First thing I'd do is dog a glucose test on his urine, then maybe a urinalysis. I really don't like messing with the incontinence pads on dogs, they don't usually like them and it causes more stress. There are a few medications that are very effective in dealing with incontinence. If he sleeps in the same place without moving much :B, you might try an incontinence bed pad - Walgreens makes a generic version that is pretty large, has a plastic backing and absorbent layers to catch the urine.

Our diabetic dog had that problem until we were able to help her with twice daily insulin shots. She lived several years with the daily shots but was blind for the last couple of years. The incontinence never came back after the shots started. Other problems can cause the incontinence so the test are needed.

Thanks for the replies - Dr Doug, do I dare wait a month to have testing done until we're back in Michigan with my regular Vet? Last night (to preserve the freshly-washed bedding), I duct-taped a towel around Jimmy's tummy, and although he looked at me quizzically, he hopped in bed and went to sleep. And had a "dry night" (maybe if he's somewhat bugged about the waistband, he won't sleep so deeply as to have a leak?). I thought about protective pads, but he DOES choose to sleep on the floor if he gets too hot in the bed. In spite of his high-energy mix, Jimmy's pretty laid back; so I'm hoping the waistbands will be the answer? I'll find out tonight ;-)

You can get urine test strips from the pharmacy without prescription (at least in Indiana). Usually go to the pharmacy counter and ask for urine glucose test strips (diastix or ketodiastix (measures ketones and glucose)).I'd try testing a morning sample after holding it all night.

JayGee wrote:Our diabetic dog had that problem until we were able to help her with twice daily insulin shots. She lived several years with the daily shots but was blind for the last couple of years. The incontinence never came back after the shots started. Other problems can cause the incontinence so the test are needed.I should have answered this - Jimmy has been receiving insulin shots twice daily since last fall (and seems to be doing fine) - the "leakage" is something that just popped up in the last week.

Diabetic incontinence? | Good Sam Community

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2017
Dr Doug, here's a Cyber-Hug (((((HUG!!!!)))) for your help!! If those strips are accurate, his blood sugar was over 1000 (eeks). The Vet said they'd let me know the results tomorrow; and we can pick up a round of antibiotics at the office. If they had SAID that prostate infections are common in diabetic dogs (rather than give me a lengthy explanation of every possibility of what it *might* be) - I would have said yes to the antibiotics immediately.

Once we get back home, my regular, beloved Vet had said we should do a "curve", to see how well the insulin works for him. Yup, we'll be doing that!
dturm
Moderator
Mar 18, 2017
Just to clarify, UTIs (prostate infection is a subset of those) are pretty common with glucose spilling in the urine. Prostate specific infections not the most common UTI, but certainly possible and way more common than other prostate issues in a neutered male.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2017
Got it! Makes sense. I guess it didn't make sense to me to be talking about prostate cancer in a dog who's been neutered since his youth - when there are far more obvious reasons to be dealt with first. I think she was a fairly new Vet who wanted me to feel like I got my money's worth of care and concern? (I wish I could find a physician who would care for ME like that....LOL!)
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2017
OK - good news! All Jimmy's bloodwork and urinalysis came back looking fine - just his glucose was elevated, so they upped him to 8 units, 2 times per day and he goes back in 2 weeks for a blood check. They had no particular explanation for the enlarged prostate or incontinence, so I guess we'll see if the higher insulin dose helps? Jimmy seems resigned to wearing his diapers to bed at night, and the rest of the day we just take him out every other hour or so....
Scottiemom
Nomad
Mar 21, 2017
Just an FYI, Deb. You can buy a pet test meter and do your own curve. Our vet in Texas is 45 minutes away, so it is a chore to take our girlie in every week, etc., for testing. So I purchased a meter and did my own curves. When we went back in he looked at it and complimented me on the thoroughness of the testing, etc. I also took my meter to show him. There are two that I see recommended. One is the AlphaTrax2 and the other is the Advocate Pet Test Meter. I have the Advocate because they run specials occasionally where the testing kit is free if you pay shipping.

It's not a substitute for your vet, but when you suspect a problem, like you did, it makes it easy to check. I didn't think I could do it, truthfully, but she gets so upset going to the vets and she tolerates me testing her blood sugar whenever I need. I do it on the inside of her ear. Also, you can do a curve anytime you think there may be a problem, then report to your vet.

Dale
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2017
Thanks, Dale - I know I *should* do that, but both my vets are close by; and Jimmy's such a sensitive (and so far - completely cooperative) soul for me, I'd rather let the Vet be the "heavy"....LOL!
Scottiemom
Nomad
Mar 22, 2017
Deb and Ed M wrote:
Thanks, Dale - I know I *should* do that, but both my vets are close by; and Jimmy's such a sensitive (and so far - completely cooperative) soul for me, I'd rather let the Vet be the "heavy"....LOL!

Whatever works, Deb. We full time and travel all the time, so it's better for me to do it. And if she gets a little nervous when she sees me get her kit out, it doesn't last long. At the vets she's a nervous wreck the entire time we are there.

Dale

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