[Chucker]

Hello again,

I have a new question. Layla just started in the last couple of weeks to pee while she sleeps. It gradually began to happen more, so this past week I brought the vet a urine sample. He said she has no UTI. I explained that she's fully housetrained and it only happens while she sleeps.
He mentioned that although she's only 9 months old, it could be incontinence and that if it got too bad, it can be treated with estrogen?
Has anyone had this problem before? Is there anything else it could be? I've read up that it can be a birth defect also. I know I'm not qualified to make any decision, but I would think if it was a birth defect, it would have happened from day 1.
I can't really get mad at her, because usually she doesn't know what's going on. She just wakes up all wet a groggy. It even drips still for another few seconds.
It really makes it hard to just relax at night and let her sleep while I watch TV when I know she's going to pee more than likely.
Any insight would be helpful. Thanks

 

[gene]

I tried doing some research and came up with what you did. Is she spayed? I hope others have some answers for you. All I saw was recommendations for hormones from the vet. Sorry I wasn't more help. Good luck and we're sending puppy hugs. Keep us posted.

 

[Chucker]

Yes she is spayed.
I am worried about any side effects that could occur from estrogen. I have been told that too much is not good for them. Anyone know anything about this?
I hope this just goes away without anything further, but I'm not so sure it will....

 

[lmtoth2]

I have never heard of that before...good luck finding a solution!

I wonder if the possible effects from estrogen are the same for dogs as humans...hmmm...

 

[DebBrown]

This reminds me of children who are bed wetters. They often don't have the trigger to wake up BEFORE the accident. Maybe you could look at some of the techniques used with kids?

Does this just happen overnight? or anytime Layla is sleeping? I would suggest limiting water before bed and waking her up for a trip outside during the evening when she is napping.

Let us know what solutions you find. Good luck!

Deb

 

[Chucker]

Does this just happen overnight? or anytime Layla is sleeping? I would suggest limiting water before bed and waking her up for a trip outside during the evening when she is napping.

Deb

Actually, it's kind of wierd. It doesn't happen overnight. Only when she naps, usually in the evening. I don't give her much water after 7pm, maybe a drop or two. She will lie down to sleep when I'm watching TV or something, and then wake up to an accident. I will let her out while I clean it up and then she's usually fine overnight. I really don't have an answer...but it is getting a bit frustrating. I don't blame her at all, I actually feel bad for her. You can almost sense her embarrasement. I will give it a day or two more, then I'm going to have to take her back to the vet.

 

[Chucker]

If it makes any difference, she can hold it just fine when she's awake. Her accidents are few and far between while she's awake. I would say 99% housetrained at this stage. These are completely while she's sleeping.

 

[DebBrown]

All I can suggest is that you take her out immediately before her evening nap time. You might want to make sure she does her business. Charlie can fake me out by running down the stairs and right back up if he doesn't think he should pee.

I hope you find a solution!

Deb

 

[Guest]

Looking on the internet, it does seem that he most common cause would be the incontinence that could be fixed with estrogen.
I also found this information, it seems like this might be a small possibility that would be easy for the vet to check out. Although it is a congenital condition (had since birth) I would think with all the growing that a puppy does it would be possible that the condition could be there and then get worse as different organs grow and move? I would ask the vet to rule it out. Then maybe give the estrogen a try (this article says PPA is the drug of choice) or just put a doggie diaper on her at nap time...

http://www.medi-vet.com/UrinaryIncontinence.html

A less common cause of incontinence in female dogs is called vulvovaginal stenosis. It is a condition in which the vagina at the level where the urethra ends is narrowed. Occasionally when the pet urinates, some urine will get trapped in the vagina in front of this narrowed area. Then when they rise after lying down the urine pours out. This condition can be diagnosed by feeling the vagina with a gloved finger. In some dogs the narrowing can be stretched under anesthesia. The incontinence may or may not resolve as sometimes other defects are also present.

And here is a good site that talks about the side effects of the treatment drugs:

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Pr ... R00442.htm

 

[Napathedoodle]

Incontinence is the first thing that the Vet would diagnosis because she is female, spayed, and peeing freely. So, make sure if you don't think its this, to force your Vet to investigate further. I don't know about girls, but when Napa was having peeing issues, they did an ultra sound to make sure that all of his "plumbing" was in the right place. The only problem with doing this, is that we had to go to a specialist, and it was quite expensive.....

I do know of a dog whose on estrogen because of incontinence and I don't think she's having any problems with it.

Best of luck!

 

[Jac]

I think it is spay incontinence...it is very common in spayed females and can be easily treated with hormones. Yes, it is lifelong treatment, but easy to take care of.
I doubt that it is considered a genetic disease...it happens often and vets debate whether or not age of spaying causes the problem. I am of the belief that no matter when a female is spayed, if she is inclined to get this, she will get it.
Still, it isn't anything to worry about, but you will need to treat her because it could cause infections due to moisture in her sensitive areas.

 

[TexasDoodle]

Our yellow lab had that start when she got old. We started giving her medication and it worked really well. Some dogs need more than others, you just have to play with the medication a bit to find the correct dosage. I totally understand your frustration Daisy always had this look on her face like I'm sorry I didn't mean to. I felt so bad for her. Good luck!

 

[Chucker]

Thanks all for your input. You have been great help.
She had no accidents last night!!! I gave her a bath, and really cleaned up her "area" and made sure it was clean and dry.
Does anyone know if this is something that can go away on it's own? Or will it 100% have to be treated?
She has no UTI as of Friday.
She was playing with dogs all weekend. I think it happens more when she's extremely tired too.

 

[TexasDoodle]

I don't know if it'll go away on it's own, you should probably ask your vet. For Daisy it would only happen while she was sleeping. The muscles relax while they are asleep and they just can't control the flow, it just dribbles out.

 

[Caramiama]

My 11 month old doodle is doing the EXACT same thing. It really upsets me and I feel really bad for her. She is having little accidents when she sleeps. I never really thought much about it, until today. She peed a big puddle on the couch while she was resting, she was really tired (after playing with another dog). She licks herself afterwards, too. One other thing I noticed is that sometimes when she stretches, a drip or two comes out. She is fully housebroken and even rings a little bell to let us know when she has to go outside.
I am praying it's just an infection, and nothing serious. After looking this up on the net and reading everyones advice, I think it is probably more. I'm calling the vet tomorrow!

 

[blueteal]

Wow I never knew of this ......................
Hope a solution is found soon.

 

[Chucker]

Caramiama,
Layla is almost 11 months old too.
My vet says since the accidents are only 1 or 2 every week or so, he would like to avoid treatment as long as possible, which I can't argue as I don't want her on meds if it can be avoided.
She does the same thing, wakes up and licks it after, which is usually how I notice she does it. I monitor her every night, and if the problem persists or gets worse, I will mention it again next vet visit.
Let me know what your vet says. Curious to see another vet's opinon.

Good luck.

 

[gowyn]

Lalya

I had the same problem with my female westie when she was a puppy and we stopped letting her have anything to drink 2 hours before bedtime.
We also had her go out right before bedtime as well. It seemed to work and she grew out of it as she got older.

good luck

 

[lisarundell]

Yes she is spayed.
I am worried about any side effects that could occur from estrogen. I have been told that too much is not good for them. Anyone know anything about this?
I hope this just goes away without anything further, but I'm not so sure it will....

Our chocolate lab KC had the incontinence due to spaying (low estrogen). She was about a year when it began. The estrogen took care of it. We talked to the vet about possible long term problems and he said there was nothing to worry about. Good luck, if you start the estrogen and the peeing stops you know that was the problem.

 

[Caramiama]

Well, no UTI for Chloe. My vet did prescribe the PPA, she is 35lbs and I have to give her a chewable 2x a day. We are closely watching her to see if this works. Keep ya posted!