yorkT Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hi everyone. Really looking for any advice regarding my 11 year old cocker spaniel bitch. Over the last couple of months she has started wetting her self in the night and seems not to wake up at all. We go down on a morning to find her back end absolutely soaked. I would say it happens most but not every night. We've had her at the vets where they first thought it could be linked with kidney failure. Test came back negative. They then checked her kidneys. All fine Then put her on antibiotics for cystitis but these have proved to do nothing. The next step is back to the vets I guess but he has said there are a number of tests that can be done its just a case of finding the right one. Money is no object to a point, we are already £250 down and have got nowhere but im not sure what to do next for the best. She has recently developed cataracts which currently aren't too bad but she is slowing down a lot. Part of me thinks she simply doesn't wake up when she needs to go as she is an exceptionally heavy sleeper. Don't want to be selfish and drag things out unnecessarily but if we could just find a solution to this problem theres no reason why she hasn't got a few years left in her. Shes always been an 'old' dog and never really been particularly active due to the way she was kept by her previous owners up until the age of 4 but has recently lost interest in going foe walks etc. She does but only reluctantly. Any advice anyone can give will be gratefully received. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam1e Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Was going to dig out the name of the specialist veterinary centre we took our dog to, but looked at where you are. It's way down in Forrest of Dean area, which would be a hell of a trek for your dog.... Had our old (about 16 years) Bedlington Whippet put down last year. She was doing the same, but then apparently had a minor stroke/bleed, and seemed in a dream world all the time. The only advice I can give you is what the vet told me (which is obvious really). If your keeping your dog alive for you, but she/he has no quality of life, it's time to let go... Good Luck to you anyhow Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkT Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Thanks for the reply. She seems happy enough I guess and is eating normally but just sleeps a lot and then makes a mess most nights. I don't mind the cleaning up etc but its starting to stain her back end and I imagine over time it may become sore and cause her fur to fall out? I'll get back in touch with the vets and see what they say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hey, it happens to us when we get older- its just we can go the bathroom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkT Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 its not the mess that bothers me really its the fact that she seems unaware its happening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 My cocker is also 11 now , he is still lively as a puppy , but like yours when he sleeps now its in a much deeper state , a year ago I could not turn the door handle without him waking , now I can open the door and walk in and he is still asleep , in fact the other day I had to give him a little shake to wake him up ,I thought he was dead !. His eye sight is also not what it was as he now barks at people he knows when they pull into the drive where before he did not. Luckily I have had no issues with incontinence with him so far, for me if that becomes a problem it may well be time to let him go , hopefully that will be a few years yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 One product I can HIGHLY recommend is called Propalin. I believe it's only from the vet on prescription, but it's a liquid that you add to the dogs food, and it was very effective with our 15 yr old border collie, who was also suffering with bladder incontinence. Took a few days to take effect, but for the 3 or 4 months from then until we had him put to sleep (suffered a huge stroke), it worked brilliantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkycorksta Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 One product I can HIGHLY recommend is called Propalin. I believe it's only from the vet on prescription, but it's a liquid that you add to the dogs food, and it was very effective with our 15 yr old border collie, who was also suffering with bladder incontinence. Took a few days to take effect, but for the 3 or 4 months from then until we had him put to sleep (suffered a huge stroke), it worked brilliantly. Like he says, Propalin works great. I had my boarder collie on it for 3 years with no noticeable side effects. It can be a bit pricey at some vets so I used to buy it via the internet for about half the price. You do need a prescription but your usual vet should be happy to issue this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Propalin worked well for one of my brothers terriers, she was on it for about 3 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DazzJo Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 My late border collie cross Alsatian had the same problem it turned out that she had epilepsy and was fitting in the night and after a fit being completely out it. I hope thus isn't the case though for you mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkT Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Recently we have been mixing in a small bit of wet food in to the dry mix as they became a bit picky. Anyway 2 days ago we ran out so they have had only their dry complete food. Since then she hasn't had a single accident. Not sure is this is just coincidence or not but for now we'll just stick to the dry food and see how long it lasts. Thanks all for your replies so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 5, 2014 Report Share Posted July 5, 2014 I presume she has access to water all the time as you feed dry food. I really can't see how adding a little wet food to the dry mix can make any difference. Has she been spayed ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussexboy Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 (edited) +1 for propalin. When a bitch is spayed they stop producing a hormone which keeps the bladder supple and under control(according to my vet). This affects them as they age. My old spaniel had to have propalin for the last few years of her life. Took a couple of weeks to take effect, but no problems after that. Edited July 6, 2014 by Sussexboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 On the balance of probability (now that a urinary tract infection and kidney problems have been ruled out) the most likely diagnosis is something called urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. Basically the dog is unable to hold the urine once the pressure builds in the bladder. The animal is frequently unaware this is happening. Very common in spayed female bitches, but we see it in unspayed bitches and males too (and old ladies!). Treatment via Propalin or Incurin tablets. Wet food has a high water content, and so the dog will consume more liquid and therefore urinate more. With dry food the dog will just drink the amount of water required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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