Bladder problems in an elderly Black Lab

@beckish (641)
United States
July 22, 2007 9:14am CST
Our Black Lab, Tia, is around sixteen or seventeen years old. The past few months she is having an intermittent bladder problem; sometimes when she lays down urine drips out of her. It is causing havoc with my hardwood floors. She is still happy, runs around outside, and eats well. Has anyone else ever experienced this problem and any ideas? Doggy Diapers don't work. Thanks!
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1 response
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
22 Jul 07
Honestly, if the diapers don't work, the only way you can save your flooring is by having her be outside more than inside :( It's sad when older dogs have problems like this but it happens with old people too so there's not really a lot you can do - unless, you want to spend the money & cover your floors with a rug or something like that? Either that or you could just put down blankets in different rooms (folded up so they're comfy) & try to encourage her to ONLY lay/sleep on those, that way, if she accidentally has her little accident, it will go on the blanket which can be easily washed. I hope you manage to come up with a solution but unless you can get the diapers to work, you might just have to chase her around with a blanket & make sure at least her back end is over the blanket before she lays!
@beckish (641)
• United States
22 Jul 07
Thanks for the response! She is a very good dog and will lay on blankets if I put them down on the floor. The areas that are getting the worst are right in front of the kid's bedroom doors; Tia guards the children. I have two still at home and she splits her night between them. (Drives the kids nuts because they have trouble getting out of their rooms sometimes, she is laying so close to the door.) I hadn't thought about putting washable rugs in front of the doors (blankets wont' work there because then the doors really wouldn't open.) Thanks for the ideas; I really appreciate it. :-)
• United States
24 Mar 08
Gemmygirl1, I am having the same problem with my 12 year old lab. It's really heartbreaking to see her experiencing "old age" ailments. I was wondering if you discovered a solution to your problem with your lab. I am not so much concerned with the floors as I am with her problem. Is there any treatment or medication for this other than surgery that you know of?
• United States
11 Aug 08
My 11yr lab is having the same problem. I am lost as to a solution. I would appreciate any ideas or solutions. Roxanne will sleep on sheets and blankets, which are easy to wash but I spend more time doing dog laundry than the family laundry. With her newly developed limp, bad breath, and blood tinged saliva, I am fearing a visit to the vet is rapidly approaching. She has been a great dog and has had a good life. I would like to find a way to keep her a little longer if possible. Thanks