Hi all, looking for some advice for a friend of a friend, she adopted a little bitch 4 months ago. She is 2 and has had a rough early life, having been pulled around by children and generally neglected. The little girl seems unable to control her bladder and wets wherever she is, not even bothering to squat. She is ok with pooing but just appears to be totally urine incontinent. She has not been spayed and has been checked for an infection apparently. The new owner has been working on improving her confidence in social situations and she is actually now increasingly outgoing with people and dogs. She leaks urine when she sleeps and can drip when walking. The vet has told the new owner that this is a very common problem with young bitches of the breed and that medication and surgery is generally ineffective. New owner manages the wetting extremely well and luckily has tiled floors. She is,  however worried that Tilly licks herself constantly and has to be washed daily. I've never heard of this problem in the breed- is it common in such young bitches? Is it?! I've never heard of it as a common problem in our breed?? And is there anything she can ask the vet to check for, or anything she could try?

Although I can't help LucyDogs, it may well be that tooolz will see your post.  I can't think of anyone with more experience of the breed.  If she doesn't see your post I would definitely PM her, as she would help if she could.

If infection has been ruled out, I would suggest that there is a mechanical problem in her bladder sphincter.
It can't be insecurity if she wets in her sleep and even the most timid bitches let go an *amount* of urine when stressed ....not constantly running out.
I disagree that it's common in the breed.
I'd ask for a second opinion for this poor young bitch.

This may be worth a read: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ectopic_ureters.html

I read a Swedish article a while ago about a similar case (one of these "Stories from the vet" type of things in the Swedish KC magazine, written BY a vet), it was in a puppy, Golden I think, and it was solved with surgery. I couldn't remember what it was called but seeing Pedlee's link now I am pretty certain that's what it was.

Thanks all! That's also what's been advised on the facebook group I asked about, so I've passed it on. Slightly surprisingly another pretty experienced breeder/owner didn't rule out stress, saying it could be nightmares that are making her wee at night, but I think a physical problem is more likely. She's going to get a 2nd opinion anyway. And nobody else thinks it's a breed problem, no idea where the vet got that idea from!!

I have heard of it as an issue occasionally found in golden retrievers.

Has the vet suggested Incurin?  This was prescribed for one of my dogs and it works wonders.

I don't think he's prescribed anything, will pass the suggestion on, thanks. :-)

Update from the lady, she got a 2nd opinion and the new vet has diagnosed large kidney stones, she is in for an op on Thursday and they hope that will make a big difference :-)

Hope all goes well.

Kidney stones?! Wow, glad that was diagnosed, poor little girl.