Please please help me, my parents are going to have my dog PTS

[redmerl]

Sorry, I know this isn't the right place, but just wanted as many ppl so see as possible.

Please help me.

Our dog is a JR X border who is 16. He was ill with fluid around his heart about 4 months ago. He was give tablets to making him wee and get rid of the fluid (which worked).

He is now fine but we cant stop him weeing in the house, he is worse than a puppy again. He doesn't even try to get outside, he is particully bad over night, we have to actually take him outside for a wee.

He now has to sleep in the dinning room/kitchen and we had to take up the wooden floor as it got so wet the floor lifted.

We have had him to the vet loads of time, he has had blood and urine tests which all show him to be in perfect health, the vet says there is no more she can do.

I love in dearly, my parents say they can not longer cope with him wrecking the house.

Please help...any ideas are very welcome.

 

[Brontie]

Kennel outside?

 

[redmerl]

It has been mentioned. But he is really old and has always lived in the house. I dont think he would adjust.

 

[JoJo_]

My dog has the opposite problem. Shes a great dane and is 11 in october. She doesnt warn us when she needs a 'number two'. She does it in her bed at night or in the car sometimes. I'm not sure what to say to help your situation as theres nothing your going to be able to do. Its up to your family if you can cope with it.

We have a really good dog spray which eliminates the oder if that would help. Ooo and my mum just told me you can get doggy nappies!

 

[hellspells]

Oh Sweetie, thats horrible.

Unfortunatly I can be of no help. The drugs given to the dog are diaretics (as I am sure you are well aware). To a younger dog although there would be a increase in the amount of urine they are passing they wold normally be able to control it but at his age he simply can't control his bladder efficently. Dogs hate this as much as the humans that have to clean up after them. You say you actually have to take him outside which suggests that he has now even lots the abilty to know when it required and probably only knows afterwards.

I really really don 't mean to sound harsh - but why don't you go and have a chat to your vet on your own without your parents (and ask all the questions you want - write them down first if that helps -I always forget half of them). Please remember that quality of life is really important and if he is know really incontinent you made need to start slowly thinking of whats best for him.

Its so horrible owning animals and each time I loose one I say no more - but I always do, what they bring us while they are life more than makes up for the pain we go through making the PTS choice for them - they deserve it when the time is right.

 

[ladyt25]

I think there are some sort of 'nappies' you can get but, to be honest if it has got to the stage where the dog is that incontinent you may have to ask yourself is it fair to keep him going like this?

16 is a very good age for a dog and making the decision at the end is the toughest one but you do have to think what is right for the dog at the end of the day. I am sure it would be something your parents are doing lightly, it does sound like your dog is pretty poorly unfortunately.

Sorry that won't be what you want to hear but you have to think of the dog's wellbeing at the end of the day even though it's the hardest decisions we have to make as pet owners

 

[ajn1610]

Puppy Mats?
Have you tried re house training him - if you are sure it is just a habit and not down to illness/medication? 16 is a good age maybe he is just incontinent.Could you take the dog assuming you don't live at home?

I can understand where your parents are coming from it isn't really acceptable to have the dog weeing in the house all the time. I feel very sorry for you. We have an elderly cat that is losing bowl control he is on medication but it is just putting off the inevitable. At the moment he is well in himself but it can't go on forever. I'm sure they aren't taking this decision lightly it must be upsetting for them too and it sounds as if they've done their best to sort him out. Good Luck.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I was going to post something similar - but you said it far better than me - mine would have sounded insensitive !

and would not have been meant.

xx

 

[redmerl]

He is fine in every other way other than this. When we are in he tends not to do it. He just holds it in then when we take him ot he has a wee.

They are away next week so will speak to vet. ant bear to part with him.

If they made doggie nappies we would buy them, we would do anything for him.

 

[irishdraught]

Does your dog get distressed when he has an accident? If so, I really think it is time to let him go. The saddest part about having animals that sometimes we have to make difficult decisions. From what you say, you clearly love your dog but are you acting in his best interests or yours?

It is difficult to be rational at a time like this, like already mentioned, perhaps a confidential word with your vet will help.

I am sorry, I don't really know what else to say but I hope you take this in the faith it was written. x

 

[Chestnuttymare]

oh poor you, i have to say that i agree entirely with hellspells. have a chat with your vet. but ultimately it will be your decision. your wee doggy is very old and probably doesn't realise that it is happening til it is too late. this can be very distressing for them. i am sure you agree that it is important that he retains his dignity.
i am so sorry, i know it is a very tough time for you.

 

[Tiggy1]

You can use baby nappies on dogs you just make room for the tail

 

[hellspells]

[ QUOTE ]


If they made doggie nappies we would buy them, we would do anything for him.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please consider who you are doing this for, is it him or is it you? Have a chat to your vet when your parents are away as obviously they know him and his history and are the best to advise. Sometimes talking to the Vet nurses is quite useful if they know him too, they always have a slightly different perspective to the vets.,

 

[JoJo_]

I can understand where people are coming from but a dog being incontinent doesnt mean it should be PTS. Like remerl said he is healthy in every other way. We dont PTS old people because they are getting incontinent.

I am sure the dog is very happy with himself and as far as keeping his dignity, I personally dont think dogs worry about that sort of thing. At 16 it is inevitable that life goes downhill but does he have a condition he is in pain for? I dont think being incontinent is a reason to put a dog to sleep. I wouldnt put mine down because she poops in the house. We do what we can to live with it and we know she hasnt got much longer in her.

Google dog nappies. He could wear them at night and PM me if you want the details of the dog spray for the oder.

 

[MooMoo]

How about a crate thingy (it sounds cruel - i'm not sure why!) to go indoors. Then he doesnt have to be outside. You could put puppy pads in it and then he could go in there at night and when you go out. If he has an accident in there then its not so bad.

I really feel sorry for you. Hopefully you can find a solution that keeps your dog happy and well.

 

[stormyhorse]

I agree with JoJo_Eventer, if you dog is happy and comfortable in every other way there is no need to have him pts because of incontinence. My irish setter bitch has been incontinent since she was 2 but she has medication. Try puppy training pads and dog nappies

http://www.dog-nappy.co.uk/?gclid=CK7VlLvRqZUCFQs4QgodEySOkw

I hope things get sorted out for you and your pooch

 

[MurphysMinder]

Our lancs heeler used to do this when she was old (she lived to 15). She had loads of tests and all came okay. Strangely she was fine overnight and it was when she was left for short spells during the day. Vet said it was possibily a form of sinility. We kept her in a cage when we weren't about, lined with loads of newspaper which saved the carpets. If you think he might not like the restriction of a cage why not get one of the puppy play pens and line it with plastic then newspaper. Perhaps you could show your parents these posts and then they could see some of the solutions suggested.

 

[redmerl]

I will show them.

Vet says his blood tests came back showing he is as healthy as a dog half his age and he still has his marbles and likes walks and gets up and down the stairs with out assisatnce.

I would seam such a shame to have him PTS for something like this.

Im going to have a look though all ideas sugested and see what I can sugest.

Thanks everyone.

 

[redmerl]

Our vet says it could be that he has forgotten that he isnt supposed to wee in the house and we should re-house train him again.

 

[Smash]

[ QUOTE ]
Our vet says it could be that he has forgotten that he isnt supposed to wee in the house and we should re-house train him again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could be, especially if the scent of urine is still present in the house - any accidents need to be scrubbed with biological washing powder. Go back to basics - take him out in the morning and every hour, on the hour - encourage him to go (have a command) and go OTT on the praise when he does go. Watch for signs of him going inside (sniffing /pawing at the ground, circling an area) and take him straight outside.

 

[Donkeymad]

That has got to be worth a try redmerl, it sounds as if he is still enjoying life. Do you have a room in your house where he could stay most of the time happily? If you put lino down, any accidents can be wiped up with no harm done. Good luck.
Sadly for me, I know my faithful old Irish Setter only has a month or two left before I have to make that sad decision for him.

 

[redmerl]

I will do that while they are away and this week.

Hopefully a good few weeks might prove he is getting better.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

well if you think he is happy and is well in every other way then fair enough. he is your dog and you know him best. nobody is saying anything to be nasty, they are just trying to help. sometimes when a decision has to be made like that, it takes someone else to confirm that you are doing the right thing.
i hope it all goes well for you and your wee dog. like i say, as long as he is happy.

 

[redmerl]

I know everyone is trying to help, and I really appreciate it.

I guess I kind of dont want to hear that this might be the end.

Thanks everyone.

 

[lovnuggs]

have you ever tried using a dog cage of a nite in the house and fill it full of paper so he can piddle to his hearts content

 

[Smash]

[ QUOTE ]
have you ever tried using a dog cage of a nite in the house and fill it full of paper so he can piddle to his hearts content

[/ QUOTE ]

A dog generally will not urinate in the area it sleeps - if he really is incontinent, it wouldn't be very pleasant for him to have to sleep in the same place.
Dogs also need to be crate trained - you can't expect a 16 year old dog to be happy just put in a crate and left there for 8 hours if he has never been in one before.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

A dog flap in the door so he can go out whenever he needs might help, we find dogs get the hang of it very quickly.

 

[lilym]

we have one who is the same...he is 17 JRx Scottie, he's senile as well, but is still sparky and full of life, mine has been given a small utility room with a concrete floor so if he has an accident it's not too much of a problem just to sluice down, do you have something you can convert to a kennel??

if no other option, i would look at it like this, as cruel as it may seem, your dog will go with dignity and no discomfort or pain, which might not be the case in the near future, he has had a long and happy life with you, and i know it is hard, but animals are soo lucky to have this way out before they lose their dignity and start to suffer.
<<<HUGE HUGS YOUR WAY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[henryhorn]

No wonder you're distraught.
i think the best thing to do is try and manage the incontinence by making an area outside with a kennel or access to a shed for the times you aren't in the house, and just allow him inside when you are. If this distresses him then perhaps think about what your parents' are suggesting.
I have always felt our dogs hated being incontinent and tried to do my best to arrange their lives so they could go outside when they needed to, but if he is unaware he's doing it then all you can do is keep him sweet smelling by washing him and clear up after him.
Show the forum replies to your parents, talk again to your vet to see if he can have the diuretic tablets reduced, and then do what you feel is best for his quality of life. If you think he is happy and coping, show your parents you are prepared to go that extra mile yourself to clear up after him. They may then relent.
I hope things work out, having old dogs is one of the worst times of pet ownership, I think often we cry more before they die than afterwards..

 

[AlexThe Arab]

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