[martino123]

Hi,

My lab is 13 years old this November. For the past several months she is losing control of her bladder at night. Puddles here and there. Now she is pooping in the house. The other night I let her out and as she was walking off the deck her poop was coming out.

I know this is gross, but is this because of her age. Took her to vets and he said it was her age. I guess she is 91 in human years now. I don't want to use diapers, because then she would sit down and it would be smooshed.

Has anyone had this happen to their dog? Is this part of the old age process? My other dog died at 10 from cancer, so this is my first time.

Thanks

[Corky/Max]

Originally Posted by martino123

Hi,

My lab is 13 years old this November. For the past several months she is losing control of her bladder at night. Puddles here and there. Now she is pooping in the house. The other night I let her out and as she was walking off the deck her poop was coming out.

I know this is gross, but is this because of her age. Took her to vets and he said it was her age. I guess she is 91 in human years now. I don't want to use diapers, because then she would sit down and it would be smooshed.

Has anyone had this happen to their dog? Is this part of the old age process? My other dog died at 10 from cancer, so this is my first time.

Thanks

It prob. is because of old age but your vet should have ruled out other problems so just assuming that it is age-related, I hope you have read the thread in this forum about the killer proin and know not to use it for the incontinence problem! If you haven't heard about this---Please find the thread in here titled: Is Your Dog on Proin, Read This. It is in the Dog health and Nutrition forum/section and not hard to find-
has 5 gold stars attached to it. You can also put the word proin in the search field by clicking on Search in the blue strip across the top of the
page(s) in this forum. Find threads (not posts). I also just today posted to this thread with a natural remedy link---I have never tried it as I as of yet, do not have this problem with my 2 dogs. I am wondering if it might be a good idea to have newspapers by the door the dog goes out of and may learn to try making it to the newspaper if it can't wait for the door to be opened--esp. for the pooping. At least it would be easier to clean up.

[lulusmom]

Does your dog have signs of cognitive dysfunction (Doggie Dementia)? See below for symptoms listed at Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

Disorientation (confusion, wandering aimlessly, going to wrong side of doors; appearing to forget previously learned tasks getting "stuck" in corners and behind furniture);

Activity/sleep behavior (Dogs often sleep more during the day, and much more deeply; they often are awake at times they "should" be sleeping, e.g. during the night. They may act restless and pace or wander inappropriately - hence we often state that they have an increase in purposeless activity, and a decrease in purposeful activity);

Housetraining (inappropriate elimination in dogs previously well housetrained, or increased accidents in dogs that had occasional ones. These dogs are often disoriented and will, for example, signal to go outdoors, stand in the yard for a while and re-enter the house to urinate, often right in front of the owners); and,

Interaction with family members (walking away from being petted, greeting owners less (or not at all) at the door; no longer initiating play or petting).

If your baby has more than one of these symptoms, you could be dealing with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Anipryl seems to have become the treatment of choice and can be quite effective with few side effects. If you think it would help your dog, please discuss this with your vet.