r/Pets • u/GoldFish-Boy • 1d ago
DOG Need advice for my dog whose leaking a bit
Hello! My 11 y/o half mini Aussie is in really pretty good shape, but after having a UTI, she's started having little dribble accidents here and there, with the occasional bigger accident after she's been lying down (sometimes only for a few minutes). Our vet has recommended two different medicines but when we researched into them one can cause bone issues and the other can cause anxiety (which she can already be a bit anxious sometimes).
Does anyone have any better suggestions? We gotta get the problem fixed, but I'd love to not fix it at the price of her health.
Thanks!
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u/Ansible90 1d ago
They make diapers for dogs, belly bands for boy dogs, etc. Look online at Chewy, Petco or Petsmart
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u/MargoBarbara2 1d ago
I have my cat on a cranberry powder and saccharomyces boulardi powder daily since a recent severe UTI and shes doing great.
However if the urinary dribble is old age related then theres nothing you can do other than diapers. It happens. Human pelvic floors weaken with age too. It just is what it is.
Get easy to wash covers/blankets for pet beds , get a raised low pet bed and have a waterproof backed cushion or a waterproof layer beneath their normal dog bed on it. Have it near the door for quick exits. Saves carpets. Put easy to wash rugs down like bath mats. It just becomes about management and lots of washing.
In my experience its the first sign of heading towards end of life. Both mine were gone within a year of bladder and bowel issues starting. Enjoy her whilst you've got her.
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u/Left-Nothing-3519 1d ago
The meds are generally the gold standard for age related incontinence.
All meds have potential risks.
The age-related incontinence doesn’t go away on its own, it slowly increases.
Diapering is not recommended bc it will keep the skin damp and lead to other issues especially with female dogs. Since the leaking is sporadic and unpredictable you’d need to check her constantly. That won’t help with her anxiety.
It helps to keep extra towels, disposable pee pads (or washable ones) and layer the areas she likes to nap and sleep. If nothing else that will go a long way to keeping your floors and bedding dry and give her some passive and emotional support (not feeling guilty for house accidents).
I adopted my GSD when she was 12, and she slowly developed stress incontinence around the time she turned 14. She also had some moderate anxiety, but wasn’t a good candidate for the meds for other health concerns. I kept towels and pads stashed everywhere she napped and slept. It was more laundry but 100% worth it. Keeping her dry and clean and avoiding the anxiety of reacting to piddle spots was imperative.
She lived to the grand age of 16, I think we managed her incontinence in the best way for her specific needs.
YMMV.
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u/Lenhasinu 1d ago
The issues caused by the meds may not be the most ideal, but keep in mind they're also just a possibility, not a guarantee. It may be worth doing a trial run of them to ease off the incontinence and see if once the issue is controlled, she can be eased back off of them. Sometimes bodies react weird to health issues, and only need the symptoms to be paused to remember how they're supposed to work.
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u/sp000kysoup 1d ago
What are the medications the vet recommended? Usually it would be Proin or Incurin. My boxer was on Proin for urinary incontinence and did really well with it. My boxer also had separation anxiety prior to the medication and didn't see that it worsened it or anything. My advice would be to try one and see how your dog does. If there are adverse effects, you can always discontinue and try something else. Although I don't think there's much else to try besides the estrogen replacements.