Senior Peeing in the house

Jax08 · 12-09-2011, 01:43 PM

Banshee, 12 years, has started peeing in the house in the morning. This morning, while I was laying the couch after surgery yesterday, she refused to go outside for DD. But then within 15 minutes peed on the floor. She has been doing this for quite some time. No reason too. Water is picked up at 9pm, all dogs are taken out at 10pm. This is not a dribble. This a full bladder release. She does this at all hours of the night. It could be anywhere from 1am-6am.

Is this a common problem? How do you handle this? Is this a health issue or a dementia issue? Diapers?

mysweetkaos · 12-09-2011, 01:48 PM

We haven't gotten there yet. Although our vet said to watch for it. It often can signal a lack of muscle control....common if they are already having hind end issues (displasia, arthritis, etc). I think it can also be typical with cognitive function loss. Does she seem to be aware she is doing it? I would do a vet call at least...chances are they will want to see her.

Can I say I feel funny answering your question...I feel underqualified. You seem so knowledgeable and always have good answers. Is this a test

Lucy Dog · 12-09-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mysweetkaos

We haven't gotten there yet. Although our vet said to watch for it. It often can signal a lack of muscle control....common if they are already having hind end issues (displasia, arthritis, etc). I think it can also be typical with cognitive function loss. Does she seem to be aware she is doing it? I would do a vet call at least...chances are they will want to see her.

Can I say I feel funny answering your question...I feel underqualified. You seem so knowledgeable and always have good answers. Is this a test

Very good advice and I completely agree with everything you said.

When was banshee's last checkup? At that age, especially when they start losing their bladder control, I say a vet checkup is an absolute must.

Jax08 · 12-09-2011, 02:01 PM

mysweetkaos - I'm just a really good faker!

She just had a check up in November with full bloodwork done and everything was really good. She is a little stiff sometimes but I'm not seeing any signs of debilitating arthritis. We didn't realize it was her that was doing it. We thought it was Sierra (who just does it for kicks, I think) so it was not brought up to the vet at the time.

Banshee has had a couple of accidents during the day right after DH is home to take them out to potty. I have never seen her do it so can't say if she's aware but my guess is yes because it is a full bladder release and a flood. So my guess is she is not going when she's out. The last couple of months she has gone to the door every time someone stands up. It's almost like she doesn't remember that she's been out or just thinks she has to go out. I know her vision is starting to go and I'm guessing she's getting some dementia as well.

mysweetkaos · 12-09-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax08

mysweetkaos - I'm just a really good faker!

She just had a check up in November with full bloodwork done and everything was really good. She is a little stiff sometimes but I'm not seeing any signs of debilitating arthritis. We didn't realize it was her that was doing it. We thought it was Sierra (who just does it for kicks, I think) so it was not brought up to the vet at the time.

Banshee has had a couple of accidents during the day right after DH is home to take them out to potty. I have never seen her do it so can't say if she's aware but my guess is yes because it is a full bladder release and a flood. So my guess is she is not going when she's out. The last couple of months she has gone to the door every time someone stands up. It's almost like she doesn't remember that she's been out or just thinks she has to go out. I know her vision is starting to go and I'm guessing she's getting some dementia as well.

Does sound more cognitive to me. Growing up we had an indoor cat who only went out to use the bathroom (my mom refused to have a litter box). As she got older she would meow by the door to go out....come right back in and go in the house. Like you said almost as if forgetting what she went out for. My mom eventually caved and got a litter box when the cat was 18. I know for dogs with beginning dementia, they do offer meds. Although they can not be taken with pain meds if memory serves me right. Be worth checking with your vet about. As for the faking....you're pretty good at it, keep up the good work

ChancetheGSD · 12-09-2011, 03:30 PM

You may want to get her tested for a UTI. :/ Zoey will start acting like that when she gets them. (which she's had several in her lifetime) Maybe start her on a triple strength cranberry pill supplement if she does have one, something I prefer to keep my girls on even when they DON'T have them. I've found over the last couple years this has virtually eliminated all Zoeys previous bladder problems. (Knock on wood with my luck lately) While you're there, you can also consult the vet with more options and advice. Because of her age and possible dementia, I'd to take her out more often and make sure she goes when she's out. I'd start treating her about like a puppy again. :/ Make sure she goes out at 10 and then again at 1 and then again at 5 and then again whenever you get up for the day. If that works, stick with it, if she keeps peeing in the house at night then go out even more than that. During the day I'd take her out at least every 2-3 hours to potty if you can. (Maybe hire someone to come let her out if you can't get home due to work, ect) Because of how she's acting, I'd say it's time to go back to pretending you're potty training.

1sttimeforgsd · 12-09-2011, 03:45 PM

Maybe it is an incontinence thing, has she ever done this while she is laying down? If this is the problem they have a pill that works really well for incontinence, my deceased girl Blue was wearing a diaper untill I started her on those pills, they were a miracle.

Jax08 · 12-09-2011, 05:07 PM