Senior Incontinence, Non-Gh

[Hollis]

Honey is my 13-14yo corgi. The past 6 months have gotten out of control with the inside peeing. In the past the only time we had a problem was if she has a uti. We ran a test and low low low levels of whatever it is that shows a uti but we did a course of anti-b's anyway. No change. Could this just be a sign of aging? It almost seems like she doesn't remember to tell us she has to go out. Is there anything else medically we should be checking for? Honey is my first dog and the first time I've had a senior. I really have no clue what to look for.

 

And in an effort to curb the clean ups in the morning, can I pull the water at night? If I can, how early? The GH's have their own water in the hallway so they'll have access but if I pull the water then both Honey and Dash (mini dachshund) will be without.

 

And last but not least, would it make any sense to go back to crating her? Would crating at 13-14 help her to remember NOT to pee in the house?

 

Ooh. Maybe this is last....bad girl panties for a corgi??

[DaisyDoodle]

Ask the vets to check her for Cushing's and diabetes. Look these both up online to see if she has other symptoms of either.

 

I'm not familiar with the Sx for diabetes, but Cushing's includes a pot-bellied appearance (but not always), patchy coat/loss of clumps of fur, unsure gait, excessive drinking (which is a Sx of both). Cushing's is a hard one to catch because its symptoms mimic other things. You may have to press to have the bloodwork and challenge test done.

 

 

If you can rule out all other serious causes of incontinence, then you can put her on PPA/Proin or DES. Either of these can be used to control canine incontinence.

 

I would not restrict water until you have the medical work-up done. Lack of water can make some disorders worse. Instead, I'd put up an x-pen on a tile or vinyl floor with washable bedding like old bedspreads. I usually buy them at the Salvation Army or similar store.

 

Good luck. Please let me know if it's Cushings, I can give you more information.

 

DD

[GeorgeofNE]

Don't take water away from a senior dog until you've ruled out a medical issue.

 

And yes, she could have gotten senile and isn't remembering to tell you she needs to go, or she may have lost control for some other reason.

 

I suppose you could crate her, but I'd vote for the diapers instead. Just doesn't seem like a dog that old would appreciate being crated after so long being free in the house.

[Hollis]

Yeah, I don't want to crate either. DP is getting a little "frustrated". I'm getting, look-she's old. Deal with it. DP thought to take the water up. I don't want to. At least not with out checking first.

 

So, bad girl panties for a corgi? Anybody game to make??

[JJNg]

One distinction to try to make is whether she is actually incontinent - leaking/dribbling urine involuntarily, often while lying down or asleep. Or is she having voluntary accidents by squatting and peeing inside? Both can be age-related, but underlying cause and how to address will be different. And both incontinence and voluntary accidents can be caused by conditions that increase urine production, so bloodwork to check for things like diabetes, Cushing's, and kidney disease is definitely a good idea. Do you think she's drinking and urinating more than she used to?

 

If she's truly incontinent, medication like Proin or DES may help. If she's having voluntary accidents, especially if there's not an overall increase in drinking/urination and bloodwork checks out, then it's possible she's forgetting to ask to go outside. Or some older dogs forget to use the bathroom when they are outside. These can be signs of canine cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to Alzheimer's or senility in people. Is she showing any other signs of disorientation or changes in behavior? There are medications and supplements that can help with this too.

 

For 'bad girl panties', you might want to check the pet store for pants made for dogs in heat. These can work pretty well for females, especially if you put a maxi pad in it for extra absorption.

[Hollis]

These are voluntary squatting. No increased drinking and no leaking on her pillow. Just squatting.

 

My poor old lady.

[Hollis]

Well after an emergency visit to the vet this morning because of a limp that sprang up last night, I am happy to report that she does in fact, still have a UTI! Never did I think I'd be so happy for that! So, another round of anti-b's, vet said cipro this time but I got something else. Maybe generic? And and NSAID for the limp. Doc said no obvious tear, dislocation or break. Gotta keep her quiet for the next week but other then that.....

 

Looks like we dodged a bullet. I gotta be honest. Between the peeing and the limp out of the blue my brain went immediately to another tumor somehow pressing on her bladder and spine.

 

 

My poor peanut after her visit!

[JJNg]

Glad to hear it's just a UTI, and that her limp doesn't seem too serious. Ciprofloxacin is the generic name (brand name Cipro or Proquin), so if your vet said cipro and that's not what you got, you might want to double check that it's the right medicine. Honey is very cute, although she looks a bit sad in the photo.

[Hollis]

Baytril for the uti for 10 days. Previcox for the limp.

 

And she's all tuckered out. Was a rough morning.

[JJNg]

Baytril is enrofloxacin - a veterinary-specific antibiotic that's in the same family as cipro. Hope she's feeling better soon!

[Hollis]

Thank you! She's been sleeping on and off since we got home. I did get her up to go out and the limp is a little better so that's a start!

[Batmom]

She's adorable, Holly. Hope the meds fix her right up.

[Hollis]

Thanks Jey! She's my first. I love her to pieces.

[GreyPoopon]

What a cutie. I hope she feels better soon.

[Hollis]

Limp 90% gone this morning and NO accident over night! Woo hoo!