Possible spay incontinence

    • Gold Top Dog

    Possible spay incontinence

    I'm worried my new rescue dog Zoey (one year old) may have spay incontinence.  Here is what happed tonight.
     
    I was watching TV on my couch and Zoey came up and curled up on my chest.  She feel asleep like that.  I wasn't quite laying down, but kind of sitting up in a reclined position, so we were not flat. Zoey fell asleep.  I have asthma and cough from time to time and when I did, Zoey jumped so I know it startled her.  After about ten minutes, Roxy barked at something upstairs so Zoey went up to investigate and I noticed my hand, which was supporting her rear area, was wet and there was a quarter size wet spot on the blanket we were sitting on.  Tanker, who was laying on the other end of the couch came over and sniffed the area.  My hand and the spot smelled just horrible, like very stale or strong nasty urine.  After throughly washing my hand (yuk!) I wiped Zoeys private parts with a doggie wipe.  She smelled pretty strong (same yuk smell).
     
    Zoey was spayed on March 2nd.  Since last Saturday when we adopted her, I have not noticed any wet spots where she had been laying.  I also have not seen Tanker or Roxy sniffing her in that area any more that what I would consider a normal amount.  Do you think she has an incontinence problem or do you think she may have peed a little because she was startled by my cough and because of the position she was laying?  If she is incontinent from the spay, do you think it is a permanent problem or will she get better as her spay heals more?  Is there anything, besides washing that area often that I should be doing?  The skin doesn't seem to be inflamed at all.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Years ago I had a samoyed who definitely had spay incontinence.  She would be sleeping and when she got up, there'd be a little puddle. We treated her with DES (one pill a week) and had no further problems.  She had been spayed at 6 months.  When we got Sassy (who we think was 2 y.o.) she was spayed before we could bring her home.  Months later, we experienced what you did and I thought it must be the same thing.  But - I couldn't figure out how come it smelled so bad and my samoyed's never had any odor at all.  Anyway, the vet gave us DES for her, but it didn't seem to help at all, so I quit giving it to her.  It only happens on a rare occasion and I now think that it's anal gland secretion - hence the smell.  I'm not sure if that's what you experienced, but just thought I'd share my experience.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Wow, I never even considered an anal secreation- you could be right!  I haven't noticed any more wetness or odor since I cleaned her up, so that might be what the problem was.
     
    Its also very comforting to know that there is a drug that helps should it turn out to be incontinence.  Thanks, Cathy!
    • Gold Top Dog
    My brother's husky developed spay incontinence too.  I was living with him at the time and it was awhile before we figured out what the problem was.  She now takes a hormone pill once a month and it has helped tremendously.  She still has a few problems, but nothing like before.  Good news is that the pills are quite inexpensive as well, which is nice since she will need to be on them for her entire life.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm thinking Zoey just let loose with her anal glands (must have really startled her with that cough!), as I haven't seen any more wetness.  I haven't been able to check her smell, as I have the worst head cold  and am all stuffed up (although no one in my family has complained).  Thanks for your responses!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I think you're right Sandra and if it is spay incontinence, you will absolutely know soon.  My samoyed started leaking everytime she slept until we put her on the DES.  She also licked that area a lot (I'm sure the acid in the urine was irritating). 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yup- pretty sure it was anal glands now.  Seems obvious but it didn't even occur to me at the time!  I just love i-dog and all the helpful members when something like happens.  Instead of worrying I get to just relax and enjoy our new girl.  Thanks, Cathy, you took a load off my mind!