Guest luckybolide Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I know this could possibly belong in Health & Medical or Food & Dietary, but thought I'd start here... We have a 12-year-old Greyhound named Jasper. He's gone for more than 10 years without a single episode of pooping in the house, but suddenly this week he's done it almost every day. He's crated at night and while we're out (he wanders the house anxiously otherwise) and sometimes he'll poop shortly after being let out of the crate. Other times it happens right after a walk outside! Yesterday he pooped on the deck before he even made it down the stairs to the yard. As is common with elderly Greys, Jasper has very weak hips and wobbly back legs. He is still quite bouncy but struggles with stairs so I'm wondering if he's just decided it's not worth the effort to go outside? Or maybe the nerves in his back end are not working right? He doesn't poop in his crate, so I'm pretty sure it's not outright incontinence. In case it's a behavioral thing, I'm in the process of getting him back into a scheduled feeding -> going outside routine, and I'm hoping that helps. In the meantime...any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 If it could be the steps to the outside,, maybe a ramp would help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrianRke Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Like Kydie said, I think a ramp might be worth a try. I've also heard of this happening when a dog has a mild stroke. If it continues, you may want to see your vet. I hope its just something simple though. Sending good thoughts your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest luckybolide Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Thanks kydie, I've been thinking about that. We have two sets of steps. The steps to the fenced-in back yard are somewhat steep (a ramp would turn into a treacherous slide), but there are only 2 steps to the front yard (not fenced), and he has no problem with those. Jasper can actually navigate the back steps down pretty well, but sometimes he's afraid to come back up and I have to walk around with the leash and rescue him. When it's dark or raining (his vision isn't great), I take him out the front door on a leash, and either walk with him in the neighborhood, or escort him around to the gate and let him loose in the back yard. I don't mind at all, it's just one of the adjustments we've had to make as our boy gets older. My husband works at home so there's pretty much always someone here to walk him or help him out. My concern is that suddenly Jasper isn't even asking to go outside, he just...poops wherever he is. Thankfully he is not peeing in the house at all! Oh jeez, BrianRke, I never even considered that he might have had a stroke. Thanks for the suggestion - I'll definitely take him to see the vet if it continues or gets worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Jasper has very weak hips and wobbly back legs. .... Or maybe the nerves in his back end are not working right? He could have some degree of lumbosacral stenosis or similar condition affecting the nerves. In that case he wouldn't get the same signals that he had to go and poop would start happening once he's up and moving. Our elderly whippet had this problem. We addressed it by - lining his sleeping area with rubber-backed mats (with his blankies/bed on top, of course) - taking him out as soon as he was up - taking him out immediately after eating - feeding a lower-residue food Hugs and best wishes to you and your pup. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Sounds like LS (it's not "normal", per se, for a dog to have hind end weakness just because it's older), and fecal incontinence. He cannot feel that he has to go because of nerve damage. If he's no already taking something for pain, he probably should be. My dog is nearly 9 and has LS. He still has bowel control, but I was warned that it's a common problem. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest luckybolide Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Thank you so much for the info and good thoughts. I did a little research on LS and our boy has every.single.one of the symptoms, including intermittent knuckling over and foot-dragging - which I thought was due to an old leg injury. DH mentioned this morning that Jasper seems to be a bit surprised when he poops in the house, so it makes sense that he's not getting signals from the "I-have-to-poop" nerves. I'll get him to the vet and will take Dr. Stack's info with me. In the meantime...plenty of walks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 After a bit you'll get a feel for about how many poops you should have per day and about when they arrive so you're not always rushing him outside. For our whippet, first thing a.m., right after breakfast, about 2 hours before dinner, and right after dinner were the "poop will occur" times. He knew when he had to pee but as he aged he couldn't wait very long when he really had to go. So we'd normally take him out once he woke up from a long nap. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Saint has had a few "surprise" poops and those usually happen once he's up and moving. If he's lying down, no problem, but once he gets up and moving, sometimes getting to the door takes a little longer than he thinks and he will drop it right on the floor. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Thank you so much for the info and good thoughts. I did a little research on LS and our boy has every.single.one of the symptoms, including intermittent knuckling over and foot-dragging - which I thought was due to an old leg injury. DH mentioned this morning that Jasper seems to be a bit surprised when he poops in the house, so it makes sense that he's not getting signals from the "I-have-to-poop" nerves. I'll get him to the vet and will take Dr. Stack's info with me. In the meantime...plenty of walks! As about Gabapentin; it's a human drug that they have found has some nerve pain relieving properties and is well tolerated and a Greyhound-safe treatment. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluegrassGrey Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Our 12.5 yo Pistol has a similar issue- he does have LS. Like Batmom said, we also "- taking him out as soon as he was up - taking him out immediately after eating - feeding a lower-residue food." Pistol eats a low volume food- Evo (grain free). He only eats about 2 cups (versus 4 cups of another food). His poop is usually very small and hard (much easier to pick up and less messy). We also bought him a specially made harness for greys (from God's Greyts). He wears this 24/7. It helps us to steady him and get him in and out the door (only 1 step). Pistol is also on pain pills... Quote Kathryn, “Broadway” BW’s Broadway: Shaggy Bessie x Jimbo Red Rose, & "Ellie" Noah's Smelldog: Castor Troy x Mulberry Jade. My Angels "Sidney" Rainier Rapper: Rainier Ranger x Rainier Rapport (09/03/2001-2/26/2012); "Pistol" Tiowa Pistol: Rapido Rambo x My Roz (11/19/1998-8/02/2011); “Perry" Tiowa Perry: Rapido Rambo x My Roz (11/19/1998-6/09/2010); "Jackie" Mjp's Jackie: Joey Flint x Social Robin (6/12/1997-6/20/2008) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Figmama Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 All good suggestions. I think this just may be a part of aging. You often see these behaviors in older dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest june Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 I had a girl who toward the end would poop in her sleep. So sad. She would wake up and slink away she was so ashamed. She had always been a clean girl. It bothered her much more than me. june Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I agree with the LS diagnosis, especially given the knuckling over, etc. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WarmheartedPups Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Roo has the same problem and she has been diagnosed with LS. She is on pain meds and I know there is an injection she can have as this progresses....I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Roo has the same problem and she has been diagnosed with LS. She is on pain meds and I know there is an injection she can have as this progresses....I think There are, but my vets (three) have refused to do it, and it generally does NOT help with incontinence. Once it's progressed to that stage, it usually cannot be reversed. If the nerves INSIDE the spinal column are pinched or damaged, my vet says all the steroids in the world injected NEXT TO the spine won't do a thing. That's why none of them will do it for George. Not my words, theirs, so please don't anyone jump all over me! Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 If the nerves are compressed in part because tissue around them is inflamed, then an injection in that area could certainly help. Dr. Stack and some members here have found that it does help. Since it's cheap, fast, and harmless, seems to me worth a try for dogs with the condition. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 My vets won't do that shot either. Certified chiropractor will help. Where are you located. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest UpperHandAndy Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I don't have anything to add, but wanted to send well wishes your way. I'm sure it's hard for all involved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest luckybolide Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I came back to look something up and realized I'd never updated y'all. The vet looked at the LS stuff we brought him but does not believe Jasper has it. He says it's likely to be age-related nerve damage in his lower spine -- which actually doesn't seem a lot different than LS. Anyway, he gave us a prescription for doggy ibuprofen, to be given daily, and that seems to have worked well. I don't know if it's because Jasper's in less pain, or if it reduces swelling in the spine and therefore pressure on the nerves -- probably both! He still has his usual stiffness and foot-dragging, but only VERY occasional poops in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifthounds Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Glad your puppet is doing better. our of curiosity, did the vet say why he/she didn't think it was LS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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