Random p**ping elderly dog

[Snowman9000]

We have a 14.5 year old female lab. More and more, she just poops without even seeming to know it. Since she is a house dog, you can imagine the difficulty this presents. We have an appointment scheduled to discuss this with the vet, but we have mentioned it in the past and no remedy was offered.

We take her outside frequently now, as if we were house-breaking a puppy. We don't yell at her or anything like that. There's been no change in the environment. I think she just can't sense that it's about to happen. Sometimes it happens while she rests or sleeps.

Has anyone dealt with this?

[Snowman9000]

We asked about the cognitive issue. The vet didn't feel that was the issue here. We left it that it will be monitored and maybe visited again. We trust the vet, and in any event the end is not too far off one way or the other. We aren't going to change vets at this point. Thanks for all the help.

[CA_POPPY]

Snowman9000 wrote:
She is getting all of the good stuff for arthritis already. I am going to ask about the cognitive aspect, because she is definitely showing some dementia. Not enough to be a problem by itself, but it's happening.

Also, some pain meds deaden the nerves to the bladder sphincter and can cause incontinence in females of various species. :E

[Snowman9000]

She is getting all of the good stuff for arthritis already. I am going to ask about the cognitive aspect, because she is definitely showing some dementia. Not enough to be a problem by itself, but it's happening.

[rockhillmanor]

dturm wrote:
There is frequently a decrease in nerve function in either sensing or controlling defecation in dogs as they get to that age. Sometimes there is nerve impingement due to arthritis, sometimes other causes.

I've found medications and supplements that help with cognitive disorders sometimes help with this situation. The major ones are cholodin and anipryl.

Also, nsaids used for arthritis can be an aid and should be tried.

Doug, DVM

X2
thank you.

As Dr. Doug states there are now many meds to assist the senior dog aging and owners need to find a vet that is willing to help you and your dog with the situation.

Many owners stick with their vet they have had for years and sadly not all vets have the same thoughts on how to treat aging dogs. And even more sadly some vets just suggest euthanasia when it it is not warranted.

Been there done that I loved my vet as the dogs were growing up but when it came to senior care he had no interest in helping us. I found one that did and my dog lived another 4 years in comfort.

Hope you find that vet that will help you keep your senior comfortable as he ages. :C

[BurbMan]

Our dog is 12 going on 13 and she developed some night time incontinence...vet told us this was common in older females and prescribed estrogen tablets, brand name Incurin...we give her one a day and remember the last thing we do before we go to bed is wake up the dog and let her go out to pee...so far so good.

Here she is helping me out in the garage



Snowman let us know how you make out at the vet...our other dog mas a large male mix, and when he started to become incontinent the vet said it was lymphoma and he only lasted another 2 weeks.

[Snowman9000]

Thanks for all the comments. She is in some pain every day but as far as that goes she's not at the end point. Then again, waiting until she is absolutely miserable doesn't seem right either. Well, you all know how tough that decision is. I appreciated the comments from those who have had to do it. We don't think she is there just yet. We have the vet appt this PM, so I'll report back.

[brewjaz]

Snowman9000 wrote:
....We have an appointment scheduled to discuss this with the vet, but we have mentioned it in the past and no remedy was offered....

Snowman9000 - Could you please update this after visiting the vet? I'm curious what the vet will have to say after ignoring it in the past.

You can always get a second opinion if that vet dismisses it again.

As far as the poster that suggested the dog live the rest of its life outside instead of "putting the dog down" -- Don't you think that would be even worse for the dog? This dog is obviously treated as a member of the family (as it should be). If your mother/grandmother became incontinent and refused to wear diapers--would you put her outside in a doghouse for her remaining time? I would hope not.

[schlep1967]

We had a Husky/Sheppard mix that went through the same thing. It started with urination and progressed to defecation. We both worked days and the dogs favorite spot to lay was on a hassock that came with our living room furniture. The poor dog would lay there all day in her own urine. After numerous vet visits we had a family discussion about quality of life. We all decided we wouldn't want to live like that. It was a sad day. I took her in myself and we shared a cheeseburger on the way. She was in my arms when she crossed over to a better place.

[CA_POPPY]

Yes, that's a housekeeping and logistics problem, more than anything. We had a 15 year old dog that became incontinent, both ways. We closed off carpeted rooms and kept her on tile floors and became janitors much of the time. We tried doggy diapers and that was a no-go. The dog didn't feel guilty or anything because she never even knew it happened. In retrospect, we wished we had let her go earlier, but more for her sake than ours. It's hard to be objective when a loved one is running out of time. My sympathies...

[wcjeep]

Our black lab incontinence issues started about a year before his end of life. I found a dog pillow on Amazon that came with a water proof internal cover and two outside washable covers. Made for very easy cleanup. Later I learned to add puppy training pads between the two covers to absorb urine accidents that happened while I was at work.

[cyntdon2010]

When the weather warms up. I would make her a outside dog, Putting a Dog down would be the Last option.

she gave you almost 15 year. try to let nature take its course naturally.

BUT,if she was in pain would be a different matter

[magnusfide]

tbred wrote:

2003silverado wrote:
Dog diapers are an option. Or you can cordone her off to areas of the house with hard floors which would at least make cleanup easier.

Agree, probably just experiencing bowel incontinence due to her age.

Double ditto. Human adult diapers are sometimes used for larger dogs. If they're the pull on type you can cut a slit from leg opening to the waist and then secure it with duct tape for easy on-off.

[Nutinelse2do]

It is most likely elderly incontenence, which is very common in older, female labs.
Usually if it is neurological, there will be other symptoms, but have your vet check her out.
There is a product called Leaks No More by Homeopet, available on Amazon.
We used it on our girl when she was old, having the same problem, and it worked well. There might be something as well for the pooping aspect. I would talk to your vet, and she what she recommends. There could be an RX that will help with nerves.
And by the way, our girl was 65 lbs, 15 years and 6 days old last November when we had to help her to the rainbow bridge. Don't let anyone tell you when it's time. She will let you know when she is ready. It's a decision you have to know is right for her, and come to terms with emotionally.
Best of luck to all of you, and wishing you many happy days ahead.

[dturm]

There is frequently a decrease in nerve function in either sensing or controlling defecation in dogs as they get to that age. Sometimes there is nerve impingement due to arthritis, sometimes other causes.

I've found medications and supplements that help with cognitive disorders sometimes help with this situation. The major ones are cholodin and anipryl.

Also, nsaids used for arthritis can be an aid and should be tried.

Doug, DVM