Incontinent senior Doberman

[ShelbysMom]

My 12-1/2 yr. old Doberman has suffered from incontinence for the past 10 years. Ten years ago our vet put her on PPA (75 mg. tablet) twice a day. Several years ago, he increased her medication to two 75 mg. tablets twice a day for a total of four pills daily.
I noticed that she is once again having trouble holding her bladder. I have an appt. with him on Saturday, which I plan on bringing a urine sample to. I have a feeling that he is going to up her medication again to like 6 tablets a day. I'd like to know my alternatives. I have heard of an herbal supplement called Leaks No More but I'm afraid to try it.

[davet]

if the urine check shows nothing and this is sapy incontinence ask your vet about DES...it has a bad name in humans but the dose that would help your dog is so minute and her age it should be no problem...probably by the time sdhe is 20 some years old it might affect her but will be a long time once the dose is adjusted...

[ShelbysMom]

Thanks davet,
I am going to mention it to him again on Saturday. In the past, he hesitated to give it to her--but I think we're running out of options. Maybe she has built up a tolerance to the PPA from being on it for so many years.

[davet]

we veterinarians are egotistical people so present the question to him in some manner that makes him think it was his great idea....not like my clients "hey doc i want her on DES , i don't care what you want"-----no respect

[ShelbysMom]

I'm a little stumped now. The vet gave her an antibiotic shot and put her on Baytril (1 daily for 15 days). Today I called and the urinalysis was negative....but the dog is now sleeping through the night and has been dry since receiving the antibiotics.
After the 15 pills are done--he wants to give her another course of Baytril.
If she has no sign of infection, then how can the Baytril improve her incontinence?

[davet]

OK. this may have been a case of urinary incontenance due to bacteria or cystitis, rather than spay incontinence...if that is all it is then it may occaisionally reappear but now you may not have to worry about the DES..sometimes it is difficult to make a diagnosn thousands of miles away...good luck, hope itis just an infeccdtion

[ShelbysMom]

So she could have an infection and still have a negative urinalysis?

[davet]

yes

[Guest]

Okay, now I understand. Thanks, davet!