If you have a family dog...

stgn01

Help me feel better.  My dog is having a rough day.  He's a pug and is 12.5 years old.  He'll be 13 in March.  He's totally with it mentally.  You know he understands everything.  But his body just isn't what it used to be.  He is incontinent and pees and poops in the house constantly.  You can see he doesn't even realize he's doing it.  I bought doggie diapers for him, but he doesn't really walk in them.  He just scoots around.  Which can't feel good to him since he has probelms with his hips and back legs.  That's why he can't feel when he has to go potty.  He can't do stairs at all so everytime I bring DS up for nap, my dog just sits at the bottom of the stairs and whines.  I chose not to bring him up for those 10 minutes I put DS down for nap because my dog will usually just pee on me when I pick him up to bring him upstairs.  

I know this sounds really dire, and I've had fleeting thoughts of putting him down.  But he's my baby!  I've had him since he was a puppy.  He was my roomate in grad school.  He's the reason I started dating my DH!  We have another pug the same age and they are like brothers.  I don't know what one would do without the other.  How can I think of putting him down when he's still 'with it' mentally?  Just because I don't feel like cleaning up after him?  Uggghh.  This is a bad dog day in my house.  Talk me off the ledge because I'm crying just thinking about this.    

Aussie45

Your dog being incontinent isn't a reason to put him down. If he was in a lot of pain, then I could understand it, but just because you don't want to clean up accidents? No.

I would talk to your vet about his incontinent problems and see if he has any solutions to help you out. You say he's still with it, but his hips and legs hurt. Is he constantly in pain? Or is he just not able to tell when he needs to use the potty? It would suck, but maybe you could try taking him out more often (like every hour). I'm sorry you guys are having to go through this I dread the day my pups get older. They're my babies.

Keeptruckin

So sorry you are going through this. With our dog the bodily functions went first. The his mind followed. He ended up having cancer. We ended up putting pee pads down, we put them everywhere. It was much easier to clean.

rockyrollgirl

What did your vet say?

UnofficiallyLO

I would speak with your vet about your concerns and although dog mess can be gross it's not something that should lead you to euthanasia. As pp mentioned, if he was in constant pain or immobile obviously that would be understandable. Although he will whine and you will feel bad, you may want to give him a section of the house (again as pp mentioned with wee wee pads) to contain his messes and maybe add things he enjoys like toys or a bed so he is comfortable and feels safe to retreat there eventually if he can't join you upstairs. Unfortunately at that age his years with you are numbered and my advice would be to do what you can to maintain your sanity of course and keep him content, then you will know you did your best.

PS I'm from A14 and just think intros are awkward so here I am :-h

stgn01

Thanks everyone.  I've talked to the vet about him and there isn't a whole lot we can do.  There is no medication that can help him with the incontinence.  He's already on medication for arthritis and pain management.  It's just him getting old.  And I would ever put him down just for incontinence.  But he can't really walk anymore.  I pick him up to take him outside and then have to position his back legs just so he doesn't fall over.  He can't do stairs at all.  I can't put the pee pads around the house because DS thinks they are his play things!  He couldn't really get to them all the time when we had them anyway.  If his mind was going too, I think that would make this a tad easier.  This is just so hard and it's been getting worse over the last 2 years.  I can't tell how much pain he's in and I guess that's the hard part too.  If I knew he was really suffering, I wouldn't think twice.  Ugghh.  This sucks!

Aussie45

Based on your last post, it seems like he is having a lot of trouble. If he can't really walk even on pain and arthritis medicine, then he might be in pain. It's hard to know for sure because they can't talk to us and let us know. If his really having that much trouble in his daily life and needs that much assistance, maybe it is time to put him down. Originally, I thought it was just the incontinence. I'm sorry you guys are going through this. It's tough to watch pets get older. Hopefully you guys can come to a conclusion soon that makes him (and your family) feel better

lyingliarlies

I am so, so sorry.

Like OP said, can you confine him to one room and put down pee pads? That way he still has space but your child can't get into the pads or accidents? At least it could be a temporary solution.

I totally understand what you are saying about not knowing what to do since he seems to be mentally sound as his body is failing. We talk about people living out their life with dignity, and want the same for our loved pets.

carryon23

There is medicine to help him.  We had our 15 yo lab on a chewable pill to help with his urinary incontinence.  It didn't totally "fix" the problem, but it made it easier to deal with. He was on it for about 6 months before he passed (he passed on his own - we did not put him down).  He also had bowl issues, but that was far easier to clean.  We ended up giving him an area of the house with pee pads, blankets, food/water/toys.  It is a difficult situation........but like others said, with our dog incontinence came first....Good Luck.

carryon23

I'll ask DH if he remembers what it was called.

UnofficiallyLO

Well yes that is another story if he's becoming immobile, of course. I think quality of life is what's most important. Sorry you are dealing with this! It's hard to see furbabies get old.

thechickencoop

I'm sorry that you're dealing with this, but please don't beat yourself up.  From what you described, it really sounds like your dogs quality of life is diminishing - not just the incontinence, but having trouble walking, unable to do steps, needing continuous pains meds, etc.  I don't think you should feel bad for considering euthanasia.  {{hugs}}

carryon23

Proin - that is what our lab took. The dosage had to be increased every month or so, but it was well worth it.   GL!

stgn01

carryon23 said:

Proin - that is what our lab took. The dosage had to be increased every month or so, but it was well worth it.   GL!

Thanks @carryon23.  I'll have to ask my vet about this.

keshupe29

Sorry you are dealing with this. I feel for you as my doggies are my babies. I feel that you know him best and know if he's suffering. But that being said I would never do anything because I didn't want to clean up after him. If his quality of life can be managed or improved with meds to give him more time I would do it in a second. When people get pets it's a forever thing. Not temporary. I'm happy to see you have compassion for your animals! Sounds like others have made good recommendations for alternate meds. Good luck! Thinking of you and your sweet doggie.