Male Incontinence Plus Partial Paralysis

[GreyhoundNan]

Our Clowny has a yet to be diagnosed issue with his back that keeps him from being able to walk. His back legs work for the most part, he can stretch them and move them as well as curl/stretch his toes, but he can't keep standing on his own nor can he right his feet when they knuckle. He has also developed pretty consistent incontinence. We have a vet visit coming up on Friday and I will remember (after seeing the recommendation here on GT) to ask them about his BP, we've tried acupuncture and Chinese herbs to little effect, and our lives are consumed with changing wet pee pads. He definitely knows that he has to go if he is awake, but can't get up to go out and sometimes we can't get him off the bed fast enough to help him go outside. But he also goes when he is asleep as well as when he is excited (new person comes over, husband gets home from work, etc) or nervous (rearranging him on the bed, changing pee pads, etc).

 

I know how to use belly bands on dogs that are mobile, but things are different on a dog that is lying down on his side most of the time. If he wiggles on his bed, the band shifts and becomes useless. We have to do something for him because he has always been clean in the house and all of us are frustrated and a bit depressed, if I'm honest. Should I look for a bigger one? I have a sewing machine and can make one, but what size?

 

I'm also just venting here because I feel like a total prat for being frustrated with him...I should be happy that he is still here with me, still eating and drinking normally, still playing with toys and trying to get to his feet instead of just giving up. Instead I feel guilty that I can't do more for him than I do and that I've had more than a few moments worry that I'm dragging something out that I shouldn't.

[Batmom]

Is the cause of his partial paralysis known? The incontinence is almost certainly related to that .....

[GreyhoundNan]

Nope, not for sure anyway. The next step for diagnosis is an MRI and to be very honest, we can't afford that. The xray didn't help although the vet said she didn't see anything that made her think osteo or arthritis.

[Guest saucyalysoon]

I'd probably see if you can get any financial help from local rescues or anything, because I completely agree with Batmom. The two are very likely related, and an MRI will be able to figure out where the spine issue is coming from.

[GreyhoundNan]

We know that they are related. He can't get up and go outside on his own so he has accidents on his bed. As for the incontinence overnight...he wakes us up to let us know that his pee pad is wet and needs changing. Perhaps the word incontinence is inaccurate. The real concern is the dribbling in between and having had older greyhounds before I think a belly band would be helpful...I just don't know how to make it work on a dog that is lying down a lot. Hunky wore one almost constantly for the last year of his life, but he could get up and move around.

[Batmom]

Worth consulting with any veterinary teaching hospitals that are within driving distance? Auburn, maybe? Sometimes the prices for advanced diagnostics are a good bit cheaper than at specialty clinics.

[Fiona3]

There are a number of possibilities but I agree that the incontinence is probably related. Have you had blood work taken by the vet for testing? Has it been suggested that you try some Prednisone to see if it would reduce inflammation that could be affecting the spine? We had a greyhound that had difficulty with his back legs and would knuckle under with his back feet. The Prednisone relieved the inflammation and in time he could pull himself up and walk under his own power. He was 13 at the time.

 

Good luck with your boy.

[GreyhoundNan]

Worth consulting with any veterinary teaching hospitals that are within driving distance? Auburn, maybe? Sometimes the prices for advanced diagnostics are a good bit cheaper than at specialty clinics.

 

I've been thinking about UGA, actually, as they are closer to us than Auburn. I may see if the vet this Friday can give us a referral.

 

There are a number of possibilities but I agree that the incontinence is probably related. Have you had blood work taken by the vet for testing? Has it been suggested that you try some Prednisone to see if it would reduce inflammation that could be affecting the spine? We had a greyhound that had difficulty with his back legs and would knuckle under with his back feet. The Prednisone relieved the inflammation and in time he could pull himself up and walk under his own power. He was 13 at the time.

 

Good luck with your boy.

 

Blood work was done back in April...we had him to the vet within an hour of him going down the first time. He was on a massive dose of a steroid for the first 36 hours and then on a tapering dose of Prednisone and he was walking while on that. But the vet didn't want to keep him continuously on Pred and he went off it around Memorial Day. He's on Previcox and Gabapentin now, as well as two Chinese herbs given to us by the holistic vet that he saw for acupuncture (that didn't really help at all). The vet suggested Previcox or Rimadyl but the Previcox is actually more cost effective. He had bloodwork done about three weeks ago to test his liver and kidney functions and they came back fine. WBC was a bit elevated but the vet didn't seem to think it was worrisome yet.

 

We will be more financially settled once I go back to Clemson in the fall (9 month employee, no summer pay) but I feel like he is wasting away before our eyes, despite our best efforts at improvised PT (as directed by both the traditional and holistic vets). I've got an email into the animal PT place nearby to inquire about hydrotherapy, etc.

 

I'm sorry if I sound snippy...It's really tense around here these days and I let that affect how I talk to people. I just love my Clowny so much.

Edited July 29, 2013 by GreyhoundNan

[Batmom]

Better if you can get him into an affordable specialist, but ..... if he was walking while on pred, it might be worth getting him off the Previcox and going back to that (starting with a loading dose).

 

I can understand not wanting to do longterm pred in a young dog with a condition that can be treated in other ways. An older dog and/or one with a condition that doesn't respond as well to other treatments? I'd use it in a heartbeat.

 

Hugs and best luck with your boy. I know you want only the best for him, and I know how hard it is to explore options and manage costs.

[Guest kkaiser104]

Does he stay pretty much in one place all day, then? If that's the case, could you just buy some of those large pee pads (I believe they're meant for hospital use)? Someone can put up a link, I've only ever seen them suggested. But that would be a lot easier to change/keep clean then a belly band, I would think. Otherwise the wet band would be pressing on him, and that could cause infections, etc..

[GreyhoundNan]

Does he stay pretty much in one place all day, then? If that's the case, could you just buy some of those large pee pads (I believe they're meant for hospital use)? Someone can put up a link, I've only ever seen them suggested. But that would be a lot easier to change/keep clean then a belly band, I would think. Otherwise the wet band would be pressing on him, and that could cause infections, etc..

 

That's what we're using now. The main issue is when I go back to work he will be lying on them for 8.5 hrs. They do work well, though. We have some wonderful gh friends that have loaned us a bunch of those.

[Guest kkaiser104]

 

That's what we're using now. The main issue is when I go back to work he will be lying on them for 8.5 hrs. They do work well, though. We have some wonderful gh friends that have loaned us a bunch of those.

Hmm. Could you get some type of moisture wicking fabric on top of the pads? They sell it buy the yard at fabric stores, and they use it to put inside winter coats or jerseys for athletes. You could make some type of a cover that would help push the wetness down to the pad.

Here's a link to some options (Rockywoods is great--you could even call and ask them about your options, looks like they even have some pretty patterns!)

http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/Wickaway-Fabrics

[Guest Rhea]

Do you have a liner for his bed? You could probably get those plastic bedsheets and wrap his bed in them like a cozy, then make a cover for that, and that will protect the inner stuffing/filling of his bed. You could also lay out black plastic garbage bags underneath the pads, to facilitate clean-up.

[Remolacha]

I agree with Batmon, if he was able to move around when he was on pred, I would start that up again. I had an older girl than had spinal issues, and the pred was a huge help to her. I was lucky that acupuncture also helped her, sorry that it didn't work for Clowny . Talk to your vet about it when you go in, see if they have any reason not to keep him on it for as long as necessary.

 

And just to clarify, normally I wouldn't say keep him on something like that long term if there were an alternative, but you make the best of what you have. I completely understand the frustration, it is partly because you love them so much and can't fix the problem.

[FiveRoooooers]

I agree with Batmon, if he was able to move around when he was on pred, I would start that up again. I had an older girl than had spinal issues, and the pred was a huge help to her. I was lucky that acupuncture also helped her, sorry that it didn't work for Clowny . Talk to your vet about it when you go in, see if they have any reason not to keep him on it for as long as necessary.

 

And just to clarify, normally I wouldn't say keep him on something like that long term if there were an alternative, but you make the best of what you have. I completely understand the frustration, it is partly because you love them so much and can't fix the problem.

And he may not need to stay on a high dose of Pred after starting with the loading dose. Often, a small dose every day or a slightly larger dose every other day can do wonders. I understand your frustration, hang in there and best of luck with your boy.

[GreyhoundNan]

Thanks everyone. I will definitely ask her about re-starting the pred on Friday. Also, I have an appointment to go tour a facility in Simpsonville (near where we live in Greenville) that offers hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) and other forms of PT to see if that may be an option for him.

[Victor]

It's good that he's still playing with toys! Does your vet think it might be lumbosacral stenosis (LS)? If so, perhaps a steroid shot as described at http://www.greythealth.com/lumbosacral.html might help?

[DaisyDoodle]

Hi Nan, sorry you and your baby are going through this.

 

A couple of things occur to me. I'd start with a simple x-ray. If the spine problem is sufficiently pronounced, it will likely show up on a plain film. Maybe not, but it's an inexpensive way to start.

 

I'd consider chiropractic after the spine imaging is done. Or, how about talking to Suzanne Stack about LS?

 

Is there a medication that can help the incontinence? Can male dogs be given something like Proin to control the issue?

 

I'm sure you know this, but for my own peace of mind, I want to say out loud: please don't mix NSAIDs and steroids. There needs to be a wash-out period between them, but I don't know how long it is.

 

It's ok to vent. It's really hard to deal with cleaning up after a dog all the time.

 

Donna

 

PS When I used to work for a university, folks on nine and ten-month appointments could get their salaries pro-rated, so that they'd get paid all Summer. Will your employer do that?

[GreyhoundNan]

PS When I used to work for a university, folks on nine and ten-month appointments could get their salaries pro-rated, so that they'd get paid all Summer. Will your employer do that?

 

That isn't an option because if you are classified as a lecturer you can opt to do summer school and are paid on that system if you submit an invoice. I wish I could get my salary spread across 12 rather than 9!

[GreytHoundPoet]

I have a pack of incontinence pads that you can have. I had them for LG.

 

I know that you guys are doing everything you can for your sweet boy. I'm here (and local) if you need some time to vent. ((hugs))

[GreyhoundNan]

I have a pack of incontinence pads that you can have. I had them for LG.

 

I know that you guys are doing everything you can for your sweet boy. I'm here (and local) if you need some time to vent. ((hugs))

Are they the washable ones? The disposable ones just get shredded. He thinks they are craft projects. Thanks, Shannon. /hug

Edited July 31, 2013 by GreyhoundNan

[GreyhoundNan]

Right, so we're back from the vet...

 

We are still on gabapentin and are transitioning from previcox to prednisone. He has an additional med (sucralfe-something) that will ease the transition on his tummy and hopefully prevent the ulcers that can happen as a result of switching. The blood blister on his side did not cause the vet any concern and we were told to keep an eye on it...it's right where his harness for his current wheelchair goes, and we all think that is what caused it to stay irritated. Finally, we are waiting for the results of a urinalysis to make sure he isn't getting an infection from having to use the pee pads. Next stop is the PT place this afternoon to talk about hydrotherapy, and I was pleased that the vet knew the name of of that practice and said she had patients that had experienced good results with that place.

 

I am cautiously optimistic...as well as in love with my boy all over again...when the vet tried to get a urine sample from him in the office he pooped. That's my boy.

[Guest debster]

Wishing you luck as you search for answers. Sick pets can give so much anxiety, especially when they're elderly.

 

You're a supermom for taking care of him like you do.

[GreyhoundNan]

We loved the PT! Clown's first appointment is tomorrow afternoon. He is on an antibiotic now due to some blood that was found in his urine from the urinalysis...but he seems to be resting easier and soaking the pee pads less.... Fingers crossed. Thanks again, y'all, for all the thoughts and support. Clowny says thanks too.

[GreytHoundPoet]

Are they the washable ones? The disposable ones just get shredded. He thinks they are craft projects. Thanks, Shannon. /hug

 

No. They are like puppy pads for adults.