my 18 year old mongrel is in pretty good shape for her age apart from the weeing in the house 3 or4 times a day!! i have even changed my shifts around at work so that someone is in the house most of the time to let her out at regular intervals, i know that it's to be expected but it is stressing me out so much now that i don't know what to do, she just does it without warning. i love my house and can't bear to see all the floors being ruined, but i love my dog even more, so having her put to sleep is most definately not an option, it doesn't work to keep her in the kitchen because she constantly howls if she's not with me, and i can't tell her off because she's deaf (and i know she can't help it anyway.) is there anybody out there who knows if there is anything that can be done i.e medicine, doggy nappies . anything at all !!!!!

You could have a word with your vet there are medications that improve bladder tone that you could try but your lovely old dog is a tremendous age the only other thing I would suggest is to go back to puppy style bladder drill and take the old gal out on the hour every hour when she is awake and imediatedly on waking up after every nap. Of course you will not really be working towards extending the periods of time to improve bladder control as you would in a pup but it may help keep the house clean and your old girl happier.

Hi Louise,
I had a similar problem with my elderly yorkie. I can sympathize about attempting to clean up the wet and the constant odor :(

Have you had her checked out for Urinary Tract Infection yet? If not, do so. The dr. should also do a dip stick test for her kidney functions.
If it's problems with her muscles holding, then there are some homeopathic remedies out there. If you're interested, let me know. I'll dig up the name of the stuff that's worked with my dogs.
good luck
toodles

yes please, i'm desperate! i've been to see a couple of vets in my area but i was appalled at their complete lack of interest because she's so old but i guess it's time to find a vet who does actually think my little girl does have a right to life.

Caniphedrin-20 ad us. vet. It also says on the box "Ephedrinhydrochlorid". This particular item was manufactured in Germany. But I"m sure the UK has something similar.

Yes, you do need to call around to find someone who thinks that geriatric dogs are worth having around as long as they live well.
Right now, I'm about to call up one of the base vets to get a second opinion about Samma and her cysts. I don't know where else I can check in this area.

My regular vet, while a very nice and helpful man, is a little 'distracted' from his normal routine. He's doing the wait and see on her lymph nodes and her cysts. I just don't feel that she's getting all of his focus and getting the old age 'shrug' too :(

His wife and vet partner is expecting twins anyday. I prefer seeing her since she tends to be more proactive and less laid back than he is. They've also expanded their office space so they are seeing more patients than ever, but with only one doctor-him. They've hired new clerks, but they really need another doctor. I'm just not comfortable with what's going on, even though I can really understand their 'stress' :rolleyes:

As I said, have her checked out for a UTI/bladder infection first....then kidneys, and then try some musculature remedies.
good luck with the auld gel :)
toodles

Hi there,

From my experience and that of several friends, Propalin is very effective to start with but loses its efficiency over time. When this happened, I used to have to to take a break from it (should re-word that, my dog that is, not me!!) then start again after a while, but effectiveness seemed to reduce each time.

Ask your vet about INCURIN - as long as there are no reasons your bitch can't have it, I found it far more effective than Propalin, it's just one tablet a day rather than the syrup and is usually far cheaper too.

M.

My friend uses a medicine called Propalin I think, from the vet for her 16 year old Lab. Other posters on here use it too as it was mentioned quite recently, probably only last week. It has worked for her and hope it will for you.
tangle

the name of the drug is phenylpropanolamine, used for incontinent bitches. It worked well for a while on my old afghan bitch, but after a while it may not work.

Can't you get underwear for dogs? I'm sure I have seen them someplace for dogs with week bladders.