embarrassing problem!

hi we adopted an older staffy from a rescue home,we think shes around 7yrs as she is a bit grey round the edges!my vet says she was speyed quite young, she probly never had 1st season,as her teats never developed at all.anyway one evening after a long walk she was curled up on the sofa snoring and we noticed a wet patch spreading across the cushion as she weed in her sleep!she was totally oblivious to it and this is not the 1st time,shes done it in her bed and on back seat of car too,every time shes been fast asleep,shes never had any concious accidents in the house. what can we do about it?is there anything to stop it happening?as shes a very cuddly couch potato and wed hate to banish her to the kitchen.

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10 Oct 2010 19:34

Cat the Vet

Hi Rachelle,

It sounds like your dog may have an incontinence problem, which is common in older bitches. However, I do have a few more questions; Is she aware she is urinating or does it seem to be just leaking out? Are the patches she is leaving large or small? Have there been any other recent changes, such as her eating or drinking habits?

There are 2 main kinds of incontinence in older bitches, ´Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence´ and ´Overflow Incontinence´

Sphincter mechanism incompetence occurs when the bladder sphincter, which is the muscular band which holds the bladder closed, starts to weaken and urine can leak out. Urine leakage tends to occur when the bladder is under pressure, such as when the bitch lies down or the bladder is full. Affected dogs are rarely aware they are leaking urine and the amounts can vary. It is a problem which is more common in dogs which were spayed before their first season. It is treated with either tablets or a liquid medication and the treatment is usually very successful.

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bitch starts to drink more, which in turn makes the bladder fuller and more prone to leak urine. There are many problems in older animals which can cause them to drink more, such as diabetes or kidney disease, and it is important your dog is checked out for these.

My advise is to take her back to the vets. Before you go measure her water intake, in mls, over a few days and take the figure to the vet. Also, take a urine sample with you, ideally the first one of the day. These two things will help your vet identify the cause of the problem.

Cat

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09 Oct 2010 11:03

molly and kelly

my staffy is 14, we had this problem. My vet said that some dogs when spayed can not produce enough of some sort of homone. This can make them incontiinant. She was prescibed a syrup from the vet that has completly sorted the problem. It only costs £12 a mouth which is very good. You need to take her to the vet who can check her over. I´m sure cat would advise you to do the same. Check my post on the same subject.

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