My 3 year old GSD bitch has become incontinent.  Last few days I have noticed her bedding is a little damp but just thought it was from her wet feet.  Today, we went to agility training and she was great and normal in everyway but after our walk she is leaking when she walks and its trickling out of her when she lays down.  There seems to be quite a lot but she doesnt seem to even know she is doing it.  She has eaten her tea tonight and is not drinking anymore than usual.

I am going to take her to the vets tomorrow but wondered if anyone else has had a bitch to do the same.  She was spayed at 15 months after two season (one at 6 months and another at 12 months).

She is such a sweet thing, I am concerned.

Is she spayed? 

If so it could well be 'Spay Incontinence' (a not uncommon side effect of spaying) as you say she isn't drinking or peeing more than normal.  would be an idea to take a sample to check for a Urine infection.

If it is Spay Incontinence she will need to take drugs to help tighten the muscles, either Propalin, or if that fails to work Incurin.

Yes, as I said, she was spayed at 15 months.  Does S.I happen soon after spaying or a while after.  There seems to be alot of pee but not excessive drinking. Would she need to stay on that medication for life or is it just a course?

If it's spay incontinence then she would need to remain on medication but there are very limited and rare side effects to propalin whcih works for the majority of bitches.  The time after spaying varies from one individual to another.  As advised take a sample with you to help rule out other things.  I'm sure the vet will put your mind at rest.

i have a 12 yr old bitch which i foolishly had spayed at 6mths old (never again) she has been incontinent ever since. the trouble ive had with medication is it doesnt last that long, then you need a stronger one then another then another and so on. i cannot remember the last meds my dog was on but it sent her so mad she was out of control. i got sick of it and took her off tablets 4yrs ago, since then she has not been so heavy most days hardly anything at all!! i do find it better without the medication.

could she have just got over excited? it might not be incontinence. hope it goes well for you and your dog anyway

Thanks everyone.  Off to see the vet today or as soon (hopefully he is on today) She had a dry bed this morning and no puddles since last night.  Living with an incontinent bitch would not be easy with two children but we will do whatever it takes to keep her well.

I think as the dog gets older, the Propalin dose has to be increased. One dog I know was on  O.4 and this worked for a while but eventually it wasn't enough and she was put up to 0.6 which is working a treat at the moment.

Have seen the vet tonight and he thinks its spay incontinence.  We are testing the urine tomorrow and have some meds for her too.  Bit sad for her really as I was very cautious over timing in her spay not to do it too early and not to leave it too late reducing the mam tumour risks etc.

Double wammy, my eldest GSD who is having a well deserved break from A.F has a lump that the vets thinks is cancer, the second one in under 6 months, surgery thursday. 

I love and care for my dogs but just dont seem have much luck with their health. :-(

Just one more thing.... have read that csj do a supplement called 'hold it' with very good reviews.  Anyone out there that has tried it for their bitches with this problem?? Like the idea of a natural solution for her if it is spay incontinence rather than just an infection.

My collie was spayed at 10 months and incontinant by 14 months. She has been on Propalin since. I did try 'hold it' but it didn't work for her but I know others it has worked for. Probably worth a try.

I know some people have had success with Dorwest Herb mixed vegetable tablets for dogs with incontinence.

Update:
Vet rang urine sample perfectly normal but 2nd urine sample will take 5-7 days for results. He thinks its spay incontinence but I can't understand why Sunday she was dripping and leaking all afternoon but since then nothing.?? Is that how is goes with this problem?

Yep.. that was the presentation with my girl, initally seemed very hit n miss re leakage but gradually become more obvious. Propalin has got the problem under conrol.

K

my old weimaraner had it bad after spay.  With her we realised that she was worse after exersise so a day where she hadn't done much wasn't so bad on wetting but she was only 18 months old so needed her exersise.  Jodie ended up having surgery to improve situation as unfortunatly did not respond to herbal stuff/ propaline, incurine, hormone therapy etc etc and as it turned out there when surgery was done there was some physical issues that had been making matter worse that surgery was able to help.

Could it have been a one off, since Sunday, nothing, no leaks or drips.  Have not given the meds from the vets yet, wanted to see she definately needed them. Does anyone think it could have a one off with her, she had eaten some snow that day after agility, could a chill do this??

my 14 year old collie bitch wet her bed on two consecutive nights,tests proved clear and shes been ok since.good luck!

Colliepam - I do hope this is the same for my girl. I suppose time will tell. :-)

Could it have been a one off, since Sunday, nothing, no leaks or drips.  Have not given the meds from the vets yet, wanted to see she definately needed them. Does anyone think it could have a one off with her, she had eaten some snow that day after agility, could a chill do this??

Oddly I have heard a few people asking the same thig recently, normally fine doggies leaking while asleep having been out in the cold and eating snow?  I don;t know why it should b ut like I say a few people have asked the Q.  Spay incontinance can be a bit all over the place though and can be affected by how deeply they are sleeping, with some it only happens after exercise or play, others only in sleep, sometimes it can be affected by stress aswell.

I know of several people who've tried the CSJ herbs with no luck, so can't recommend there.  I would just hold on with the meds at the mo if she seems fine and if it happens again start her on the advised dose :-)

Only yesterday someone told me their collie had the same, never happened before or since and she had eaten some snow aswell.  Will hold back on the meds, I have them if I need them but hopefully they will collect dust on the side!

Thank you to everyone who has offered help and advise :-)

good luck with your older dogs op.there always seems to be something to worry about with animals doesnt there?

He had two lumps removed this week, waiting for histo report but vet and myself think the lumps looks cancerous. You are right, always a worry!

Update: looking good! No leaks since that Sunday a few weeks back so we assume it was a one off - tabs are in the cupboard, unopened, glad I held back or I would now be saying 'those meds have worked well'
:-)