Nocturia

Got several questions for you --

1.  Have you had her to a vet?  Have they done not just a "strip" test for infection but have they actually done a full urinalysis ***and*** bloodwork to rule out renal/kidney problems and/or infections?

2.  How much does she drink and WHEN?  Does she drink every time she goes out to pee?  Does she drink CONSTANTLY?  That can be a sign of an infection and it can also be a sign of actual renal problems. 

Bottom line -- try to find out the reason behind the incontinence. 

Usually allowing them to have at least one heat cycle prior to a spay gives you a better chance at avoiding incontinence later. 

3.  Sometimes the spay itself can be part of the problem (if it wasn't done well). 

4.  What *type* of veterinary help have you gotten?  (regular allopathic vet or some type of holistic vet?  What modalities did that vet practice?)

Solutions?

See the solution completely depends on *what* is causing the incontinence.  Just because it's at night does NOT mean it's "old age".  Not at all. 

I've had superior luck with TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) and other holistic modalities. 

IF there is some simple incontinence, there are herbs that can help tighten that up.  Acupuncture can actually help improve the tone of the bladder.

However -- if this is something deeper -- like early renal failure -- then there are herbs and formulats that can actually help hold that off A LOT.

So if you can answer some of my questions I can then help answer them -- but until I know actually what is *causing* the incontinence it's impossible to just give a generic answer -- I hope that makes sense.

 Panties are also extremely useful. I've had several, in a row, have urinary issues, for varying reasons, and they're always SO upset if they soil their beds, or their hair. Boys' underwear with pads inside, or panties made for girls in season with pads inside, work REALLY well. I never call them diapers, LOL, because it seems insulting. They do not mind wearing them, especially if I tell them how pretty they look in their pretty panties. Easy cleanup, and they aren't nearly as bothered, because the urine is soaked away from the dog.

2DobieGirls

Her vet appt. isn't actually until Wednesday so I probably jumped the gun on the post. I guess I was so sad my girl was getting old. She's started to get grays so I just assumed that when we go to the vet he would tell me it was part of her aging. You post gave me great hope though that maybe this is just an acute problem. Her vet is a regular vet but one that is notarized for taking care of most of the local K-9 police officers here so I trust them very much. I guess I was hoping for insight on other's experience before I got to the vet but I will post again after I get back from the vet in a few days.

Honestly this isn't about whether your vet is "good" or not.  They probably are great.  But things like TCVM are really considered "complimentary therapy -- it's stuff your vet just can't offer (unless they've gone to school for it).  It's not MEANT to replace your vet -- but rather to compliment what they do.  Often for something like this they will just "try" drugs -- but you might find TCVM would give you an added tool to diagnose.

http://www.tcvm.com -- there is a locator on the left.

2DobieGirls

She's started to get grays so I just assumed that when we go to the vet he would tell me it was part of her aging.

"Age" is not a disease or a health problem, so "old age" is not an appropriate diagnosis for a health issue.  Some problems will occur more frequently as a person or pet gets older, but "old age" as a diagnosis is equivalent to "I don't know, so you will just have to live with it".

My dad was at stage 4 with prostate cancer before he was properly diagnosed by an ER doctor.  Several other doctors had put his symptoms (including years of severe back pain - actually metastasized bone cancer) down to "getting old".  Neurological damage (reversible thank goodness) from low blood sodium caused by the cancer is what put him in the ER and in a wheelchair for several months.

Age can result in gray/white hair, arthritis, bad eyesight, hearing loss, renal problems, liver problems, heart problems, etc., etc., but look for an issue that can be corrected/mitigated.  The only cure for getting old is dying - unless someone has found the fountain of youth and my bad eyesight kept me from being notified.   

That said, don't look for serious problems before you rule out the ones that can be fixed.  Antibiotics can do a real good job on UTIs, but get a sterile culture to be sure that you get the right antibiotic. 

Even if you can't stop the leaking, there are very cute "Bitch's Britches" that can be fitted with human incontinence pads.  Dealing with leaks is a pain, but it is not life threatening.  If it was, I would be dead. 

2DobieGirls

.... I am beating myself up b/c we were going to breed her so she had 2 heat cycles. We then figured she had a roached back and realized that would be bad. I feel like such a dope! I wish I had never ever let her have those cycles. If I could take it back....I would....instantly. She's wetting the ground beneath her while she sleeps. :( I am seriously - so sad...I've been upset all night.

Please don't feel like this is your fault for letting her have a couple heats. In reality, this condition is often called spay incontinence because it happens in spayed females. If you had spayed her before her first heat, the problem probably would have started sooner. The hormone therapy is designed to help replace what she lost by being spayed, so I would not hesitate to put her on them. Much better for her quality of life than being wet.

samshine

The hormone therapy is designed to help replace what she lost by being spayed, so I would not hesitate to put her on them. Much better for her quality of life than being wet.

I gave one of my labs the hormone therapy for many years (she was spayed at seven months) and she never had any further incontinence problems.  It might not be right for all dogs but it worked for mine.  Assuming that this is what's causing the problem and not another condition/problem.

Did you get any opinion/diagnosis from your vet?  I ask because this post is a few weeks old now.