My 5 year old doberman bitch was spayed at 2 and has had mild urinary incontinence ever since which is starting to get worse (it increases after lots of exercise). The vet has said that it is due to the lack of hormones affecting the sphincter muscles and has put her on propalin which, although working, is expensive and makes her quite grumpy and restless. I would really like to find something natural to give her instead. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks :-)
Replied by Bagofnuts (Metairie, La) on 12/01/2009
My post is simply to say that whatever vets are doing when they spay a female is upsetting. My daughter has several females that had been spayed and they all are incontinent afterward. Something is awfully wrong with this picture. I don't believe it is strictly the hormone change (my opinion)!Replied by Constance (Los Angeles, California) on 04/16/2010
For years, I fed my dogs 1 cup of Solid Gold Lamb Kibble with some raw meat and pureed vegetables in homemade broth. I also added some supplements. But when my girl dog turned 14 years old, she started drinking excessive amounts of water, urinating alot and had a lack of appetite. The problem escalated to incontinence. I had a blood panel and urinalysis on her suspecting a problem with her kidneys, but her Kidney function was fine. The only thing that seemed problematic was she showed slightly elevated liver enzymes on her blood panel. The Vet suggested I lower her protein percentage. So, I tried a lower protein kibble but to no avail. The Vet then prescribed medicine for her incontinence. I am very uncomfortable giving my dogs drugs unless it is absolutely necessary. Reluctantly, I gave her one pill. Then, later that day, it hit me like a lightening bolt! It was the dry kibble. I immediately took her off kibble, and within a couple of days, her excessive water drinking and incontinence stopped. She did not need any medicine. It was like a miracle, and I have come to the conclusion that dry kibble is garbage, and I don't care how "organic and natural" it states on the label. I am sorry I ever fed it to them. She is now 15 years old, and has not showed any problem with excessive water drinking ,incontinence, or a lack of appetite since. I feed my dogs real food. Her protein percentage is about 20 to 30 percent with mixed pureed vegetables, along with supplements. There are some great websites that offer information about real and raw food diets. Think about it? How healthy would any of us be if we lived on dry processed and canned foods all our lives? The same is true for our beloved pets.Replied by Lori (Tryon, Nc Usa) on 08/23/2010
Your problem with the dog food is because Solid Gold was purchased by the Diamond Dog food company and they have a very poor record and a trail of sick and dead dogs. I lost my shih-tzu to the Diamond food recall back before the larger Menu food recall. They knew the corn had afloxtoxin but used it anyway and avoided inspections. Good work getting rid of the food. That is what changed recently. They own a large portion of premium foods now including Taste of the Wild and Canidae. I had a dog get very sick on Canidae and it turned out it had a tylenol poisoning problem.Replied by Fenice (Henderson, Nevada) on 07/20/2011
I also feel that the spaying actually has some thing more to do with the incontinence issue. Really these vets seem to do a chop job for as many dogs as they can get in a day to spay or neuter. The side effects of the drugs they prescribe are awful. I wouldn't take them myself let alone give it to my dog!Replied by Judye (North Central Carolina, North Carolina) on 01/23/2012
Take a notice to when your dog leaks the most. I found that the week of the full moon my has the most leakage. Could it be the pull of the moon?? I don't know but it is worse at this time.Replied by Menard (Fallbrook, Ca) on 02/24/2012
The apple cider vinegar remedy that I read about on this page has worked wonderfully for my dog. I have a 10-1/2 yo female Gordon Setter who has taken various pills over the years to help her incontinence, but lately, her piddles have increased. I tried the apple cider vinegar in her water and she hasn't piddled in two weeks! Thank you for the suggestion!Replied by Deb (St. Louis, Missouri) on 03/25/2012
My 14 year old APBT has been leaking now for about 2 weeks. I'm not sure why I haven't thought about trying ACV as I drink 3 daily "cocktails" of ACV and water myself and have been able to stop blood pressure medication and most others. I want to add that I also put food grade H2O2 and colloidal silver in their water as well. She had lost her ability to bark for over a year and after just 4 days of drinking the H2O2 and CS water she let out a sudden and very loud bark. It about scared her to death! Lol I also started using activated charcoal in her food to keep away the "old girl" gas issues. It worked from the first dose. I give her half a capsule at every meal. She is such a dignified little girl who becomes very embarrassed by her accidents so we are going to try ACV in her food this evening.Replied by Kmonlo7 (Gurnee, Illinois) on 07/25/2012
ACV sounds like a great idea. My husband and I use this and although it crossed my mind to give to our female Pit-rescue and my FGSD for their arthritis(works great for my husband) I'm going to start them on the ACV asap.
I can attest to H202 (foodgrade only)use as a remedy. I have been using the H202 on my GSD-used to get ear infections. I clean her ears out with a DILUTED formula and add a little in her water.
Does anyone know where I can get the dried cornsilk though?
Thanks, Karen
