Old age, rear end weakness
He recently seems to have less control over his bowel movements. He hasn't been a "poop in the house" kind of dog, but over the last week or so, he's had several "accidents" in the house. Sometimes it seems like he doesn't even know when he's going. It just sort of drops out of him. Do you think these two problems are related? Have you ever dealt with an elderly dog with these symptoms? Any advice? Other than those two problems, he has a very good quality of life, and seems really happy. Help  |
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| I am sorry you are having to deal with this. It is heartbreaking for sure. I hate to say this but I do think they are related. We dealt with the same situation with Tucker. For the longest time we were occasionally finding "hangers", "kisses" and "nuggets" that we thought were from Zeke but later found it was Tucker all along. Tucker was in no pain even though he could no longer get up on his own in the last few months. He had muscle and nerve damage and had slowly begun to lose control over time, but was clearly still quite happy and enjoying life. We ended up putting him in diapers - people diapers - and it worked out really well. He had lost all muscle tone and was very thin in the back end and I had to velcro them in place. I also used a pad underneath him where ever he was laying because eventually he lost control of his bladder as well. I accepted this situation of changing pads and diapers as part of my routine. I was washing the back end a couple times a week at one point and that was hard to do alone while having to hold him up. I would do it all over again, too. I am certain he was in no pain, otherwise I would never have allowed it to continue. It is a very individual thing. Some dogs progress with this very quickly and some slower, and some are in pain. You know your dog better than anyone and you will know if he is hurting and when it becomes too much. For now a sling to help him up and/or baby socks (we call them stickies ) may help a lot. I also had a bit of success with a high fiber tablet for a short while along with more frequent potties. Sometimes going through the motions was just enough to prompt an outdoor deposit. With Tucker he just didn't know he was doing it. I would get with the vet and see what options he can offer and maybe a time frame of how he feels this will progress (if at all!) and that may help you have some ideas in mind for later on down the road. This is incredibly horrible and difficult to watch our guys go through. I wish you the best and I hope this helped a little bit. Shellie |
| I'm sorry to hear that. Yes, it is related. Probably stenosis of the spine, lack of sensation for the pooper. We went thru that with MO near the end. "Torpedo Alert!" Try a lift harness that says on all the time. With a boy you have to be creative to keep the spigot clear. With a harness that can be worn easily and not interfere with side sleeping, you can easily aid in lifting without making a fuss. Assume you've done the Glucosamine, etc. When Torpedo Alert begins it is more advanced nerve damage. Don't know if acupuncture would help. Dang I wish they lived longer! |
| Same thing happened gradually with Nelson. We found a qualified veterinary acupuncturist and chiropractor that did wonders for him until osteosarcoma was discovered in his front legs. His spine was actually pinched with arthritis to where he really didn't feel pain like many dogs do so he wasn't on pain meds that often cause internal damage. He was on large doses of Cosequin and a mixture of Chinese herbs with daily doses of a homeopathic called Zeel. We knew at the vet's when the x-ray was done on his front leg and the cancer was found. By then he was totally unable to walk and everything failed at once. The incontinence was a minor issue for us to deal with since we could be with him 24/7. Sending more hugs to Pirate, Deb. It's so hard to watch our heart dogs failing. As hard as it is to believe, you really do just know when it's time. It becomes less about how badly you want them with you and all about what is best for your friend. |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: Same thing happened gradually with Nelson. We found a qualified veterinary acupuncturist and chiropractor that did wonders for him until osteosarcoma was discovered in his front legs. His spine was actually pinched with arthritis to where he really didn't feel pain like many dogs do so he wasn't on pain meds that often cause internal damage. He was on large doses of Cosequin and a mixture of Chinese herbs with daily doses of a homeopathic called Zeel. We knew at the vet's when the x-ray was done on his front leg and the cancer was found. By then he was totally unable to walk and everything failed at once. The incontinence was a minor issue for us to deal with since we could be with him 24/7. Sending more hugs to Pirate, Deb. It's so hard to watch our heart dogs failing. As hard as it is to believe, you really do just know when it's time. It becomes less about how badly you want them with you and all about what is best for your friend.  thanks Nita, I know you know . Hugs.... |
I am so sad to see this in regards to Pirate.  I would also guess that the incontinence is a part of his mobility condition.We are going through something very similar with Oscar. He declined rapidly last winter, and more slowly since then, but winter is right around the corner again. Not sure if we are going to make it through. He is not in any pain, which is good as he can't take anti-inflammatories due to the prednisone. He had bowel incontinence last fall after a very difficult surgery where they removed a bunch of tumors from the soft tissue around his rectum, but he has been good lately. Just had a senior check at the vet, and she said the next things to occur would involve incontinence. I bought him a helpemup harness, but have been unable to use it as we have been fighting a drug resistant infection on his back and flank. I bought it about 6 weeks ago, and I might have to try and exchange it, as Oscar seems to have shrunk considerably in that little amount of time. We have tried alternative therapies, to no avail. Hugs to you and Tony. This is going to be a very tough winter.  Laurie and Oscar |
| Laurie, You have surely earned your degree in Vet Med with Oscar.........and sent your vet's kids through college. I'm sorry the guy seems to be in continual strife. to you and the big O. |
Oscar's Mom wrote: I am so sad to see this in regards to Pirate. I would also guess that the incontinence is a part of his mobility condition.We are going through something very similar with Oscar. He declined rapidly last winter, and more slowly since then, but winter is right around the corner again. Not sure if we are going to make it through. He is not in any pain, which is good as he can't take anti-inflammatories due to the prednisone. He had bowel incontinence last fall after a very difficult surgery where they removed a bunch of tumors from the soft tissue around his rectum, but he has been good lately. Just had a senior check at the vet, and she said the next things to occur would involve incontinence. I bought him a helpemup harness, but have been unable to use it as we have been fighting a drug resistant infection on his back and flank. I bought it about 6 weeks ago, and I might have to try and exchange it, as Oscar seems to have shrunk considerably in that little amount of time. We have tried alternative therapies, to no avail. Hugs to you and Tony. This is going to be a very tough winter. Laurie and Oscar Laurie, remember when our old boys were pups? We've know each other a long time through them. It's heartbreaking to see them decline. Pirate got a good report at the Vet yesterday, and we've started him on Previlox (?). I would be more than happy to buy your helpemup, since you can't use it, and the Vet did recommend I get it. Let me know if you'd like to do that. Pirate is a 90 pounder, is that right weight for your harness? Pirate has also developed cataracts in both eyes. He has some vision loss, but is doing well, as long as everything is well lit. Yes...I suspect its going to be a tough winter for our boys. We just have to do what is best for them. Hugs to you and your hubby and special sheepie kisses to Oscar. |
| Yes, I fondly remember those young puppy days, when our boys were healthy (relatively speaking for Oscar, of course!). So glad that Pirate got a good report at the vet! Is the med called Previcox? If so, you might want to start Pirate on famotidine (generic Pepcid AC - 20 to 40 mg per day) to protect his stomach, and read up on the possible side effects, so if you start to see any changes, you can stop the meds right away. (Ulcers can be a big problem when taking anti-inflammatories. Quincy developed huge ulcers from Deramaxx, and unfortunately, he did not survive them.) As far as the harness goes, I got the largest one they sell, as Oscar was up over 120 lbs and climbing.  (Porky!). It is ginormous, and supposed to fit a dog from 110 lbs - 170 lbs. Maybe a hair too big for Pirate.  I am going to have to "down-size" it, as Oscar is now about 110 lbs and shrinking. Deb, thanks for the support, and I hope Pirate has some good times left in him. I think he just might. And Susan, thanks for the well wishes. These last 10 years have been an amazing journey with a very special dog. My vet has three kids, so hopefully Oscar will continue to contribute to their robust college funds.  I have learned a ton from my boy, medically and otherwise. My goal is to help him enjoy his life, and to make sure that he does not suffer. Whatever that takes, I will do. Thanks to all on this forum for your support! Laurie and Oscar |
debcram wrote: Pirate got a good report at the Vet yesterday, and we've started him on Previlox (?). I would be more than happy to buy your helpemup, since you can't use it, and the Vet did recommend I get it. Let me know if you'd like to do that. Pirate is a 90 pounder, is that right weight for your harness? Pirate has also developed cataracts in both eyes. He has some vision loss, but is doing well, as long as everything is well lit. Yes...I suspect its going to be a tough winter for our boys. We just have to do what is best for them. Hugs to you and your hubby and special sheepie kisses to Oscar. How is Pirate doing after a few days on the NSAID? Did the doc prescribe or recommend something to protect his tummy? |
| He actually seems a bit happier. He wore his teenage mutant ninja turtle socks last night, and did flailed less and so got more rest. Laurie (Oscars mom) suggested I pick ip up pepsid ac, so I picked it up today. Ron, thank you for asking. Oh...and we had his tushie shaved yesterday! |
| Yay! We are using Tagamet (Cimetidine 400mg 2x per day) along with the Deramaxx. Cimetidine has an added benefit in that it seems to inhibit some cancers in humans and dogs http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919677 OTC Tagamet is 200 mg, so it would be 2 OTC tablets twice a day, I just looked up Walmart's $4 prescription program. http://www.walmart.com/cp/4-Prescriptions/1078664 Both Famotiine and Cimetidine are listed there, which is great news; 90 800mg tablets of Cimetidine or 180 20mg tablets of Famotidine (90 day supplies) is just $10. Ask your vet for a prescription to go.  I'm glad I just looked it up, I asked Joan and she tells me she's paying $50 for Mulligan's prescription, sooooo time to get a new script for us too. |
| Ron, glad to hear that Mulligan is doing well on the Deramaxx and Tagamet. Oscar takes 40 mg per day of famotidine (generic Pepcid AC), that I buy at over the counter at Sam's Club super cheap. I think I pay under $10 for 170 pills (20 mg, so he gets 2 per day). Before it went generic, I used to pay $24 for Pepcid AC. The generic worked just as well for Oscar. Laurie and Oscar |
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