My dogs is on steroids for severe arthritis. Since she has started on them she seems to be leaking urine. i am just wondering of it is likely to be connected? She was spayed about 4 years ago at age 5 and hasnt had problems before. She started on steroids  2 weeks ago and was on 25mg/day and this has been lowered to 15mg/day. the plan is tol lower it to 15mg every other day next.

Her leg is definitely a lot better but she is leaving large damp patches where ever she lies. She was on a waterproof bed yesterday and when she got up there was a huge patch and her side was soaked so there was obviously a lot of urine. I have noticed other damp patches on beds and blamed the puppy but now I am wondering if it was Ruby. I will ask the vet later but just wondering if other people have experienced this?

ALso if anyone has any tips for managing an incontinent dog that would be helpful. I have now put towels  over the waterproof bed but there was a damp patch on the rug she had been lying on earlier.

I don't know of there is any connection between the steroids and the leaking  but in setters it is quite common for spayed bitches to become incontinent and I found the medication from the vet was brilliant. It just needed time to adjust the dosage.  Can you phone your vet and ask if there is any connection between the steroids and the leaking? If it is only going to be a short term problem then, if possible, can you  restrict your girl to areas which can be mopped easily and even remove the rug?  I guess you've already realised that your girl will also need sponging with warm water if her coat is wet/damp. Re reading your original post it looks as though the steroids are going to be long term but maybe with smaller dosages the leaking will stop. 

If it has come on since the steroids were started then they could well be the cause.  We know they cause increased drinking and urination so it's not a huge leap to incontinence from that, as she won't be used to having to go so often and may be struggling to hold the increased amount in.

Go on FB and look for Jacob's Den, they do 'wet dog mats' which are brilliant for this sort of thing.  Another FB friend with a dog with chronic idiopathic incontinence uses them I think.

It sounds like it might be connected to the steroids, but don't panic if it is not. There are several medicines on the market that bitches can take for incontinence and they work very well. Have a word with your Vet and I am sure they can sort this out for her.

Steroids do increase thirst and therefore more pee.

I have just put my 15 year old spayed girl (done at 7 1/2) on Propalin, not having to do this with any previous spayed b8itch, but now has gotten to 15 before.

I only administer twice daily by vets advice, she is around 21kg so gets 0.5ml twice daily.  I did find I had to space it out better and give it mid morning and last thing at night on a bit of toast.

When I tried morning and night I found the odd breakthrough so going 12 hourly works best for her.

The vet has said it could be caused by the steroids or aggravated by the increased drinking. I am due to cut her steroids down  again to  see how she manages so will see if there is any improvement.  Anti leakage meds are a possiblity but he would rather wait to see if lowering the dose of steroids helps first. thanks.

Hi
Our Newf k.c had this problem- steroids for bad skin , started leaking an smelling ,when we stopped steroids it got better but still leaking a bit, so we started her on Incurin (she is 12 & spayed) worked quite well, then she started letting her whole bladder go and we thought the worst , vet gave us Propalin worked wonders . Only had to give her a weeks worth ! still on 1 a day  Incurin , fingers crossed not a dribble . hope this helps Miranda x