Won't hold urine through the night

[katiedid1281]

Hello! We have an 8.5 year old male greyhound who suddenly seems to have forgotten he's housebroken, but only at night. Vet has done a urine culture, bloodwork, and ultrasound and found no medical reason why he can't hold his urine. He goes out around 10 and is often waking us up around 3 to go out. We've been putting a belly band on him at night, and he'll pee in it about once a week. And it's a lot of pee, not just a dribble. He's always thought he needs to eat way too early in the morning, so we also got an automatic feeder to give him a snack around 3 because we wondered if he was just mad at that no one was feeding him. It seems to have helped somewhat, but not entirely. Anyone have any experience/advice? We're all exhausted! Except him. Because he then sleeps all day.

[tbhounds]

Is he drinking more later in the day?  There could be a trigger/anxiety at a certain time.  Some dogs when they experience stress or anxiety will drink more.

[LBass]

It's interesting to me that he is just starting this at 8.5.  It sounds as if he's been living with you for several years without having to be let out at night.  Correct?  Very wise to get a thorough physical eval for him.  At this point I'd put on my Deerstalker hat to begin an investigation.  Has anything changed in his home or routine or in your own lives? Even good and exciting changes can be a source of stress and anxiety.  Do note the water consumption in the evenings--not restrict, just note.  Is he cold and would a blanket or jammies help keep him settled at night?  Change in food or "new and improved formula" that might have a different sodium content or some other change affecting production of pee?  Is he taking any medications that could be causing this? Conduct a methodical search for any potential non-medical cause.  Does the automatic feeder help him leave you alone about food but also wake him up to eat, at which point he is likely to want to go out to potty. That's one of those house training tools--take that puppy out right after it wakes up and right after it eats because those are 2 triggers for needing to relieve themselves.

My first Grey, Piper, asked to go out far less often once I realized he was cold and gave him jammies and a blanket.  After that, if he asked to go out, it was because he really needed to go--caused by the meds he took for seizures.

My current 4.5 year old, who came to me at 1.5, has ALWAYS wanted out at least once each night.   I've really not found a trigger with him and can often time his trip out with my own inevitable trip to the bathroom.  I think he could and would physically hold all night if I made him, but I hate the idea that he's uncomfortable.  Still, all my other dogs through these many years have been able to hold all nigh long, so I completely understand your frustration and exhaustion.

[greysmom]

It might be time to see a specialist, if none of the above help at all.