On the off chance, there is a neurological component, we are also keeping up with chiropractic adjustments which Cookie would need anyway because of her old pelvic injury and having one hind leg slightly longer than the other.
Cookie does not leak all the time.
There is no regular pattern to it either. Sometimes she won't leak at all, sometimes she'll drip, and sometimes she'll have an outright leak. She may be sleeping or she may be awake. Though the biggest leak she ever had was when she was hard asleep after a play in fresh snow, which involves eating bunch of it too.
I still find it puzzling that it happens mostly during the day and rarely at night or in the morning, and that often she'll leak even after she went to pee.
One theory was that she has a anatomical abnormality causing urine pooling. Based on my observations I'm still somewhat partial to that theory, even though abdominal ultrasound she had done to investigate her elevated liver values didn't seem to show any evidence of that.
At this point I am still hesitant to consider the go-to treatment, Proin.
It seems effective and many dogs do fine on it. It does have side effects and some dogs don't do well on it at all. Proin seems to be involved in stimulation the "fight or flight" reflexes in the body, resulting in constriction of blood vessels (which also increases blood pressure), mild CNS stimulation ... and increase of urethral sphincter tone.
Potential side effects include restlessness, anxiety or agitation, urine retention, anorexia, tachycardia and high blood pressure. There is a potential for seizures and stroke-like clinical signs.
While Cookie might do just fine on that, I don't believe we're at the point of such desperation.
We tried DES therapy, which is a synthetic form of estrogen.
This one seems more dangerous to the pet parent than the dog. For myself, I'm not overly worried about that.
I couldn't really tell whether it did anything or not but at least it didn't cause any new issues. Because Cookie's vet is sold on the estrogen-responsive incontinence, I wanted to try something natural. Presently we're experimenting with Bladder Support by Pet Naturals.
Doesn't seem work any better or any worse than DES. I've tried minimum dose, now I'm trying a dose a bit higher.
I also got Leaks No More to potentially try, even though Cookie's vet doesn't have much faith in that.
One thing that is on my mind is wondering whether learning how to express her bladder might be a good idea for the future. Where there isn't any, no urine can leak, right?
Since Cookie doesn't leak constantly, not even regularly, I'm trying not to over-treat it.
Meanwhile, the goal is to keep Cookie and her environment dry and clean.
We do not limit Cookies water intake.
We offer frequent potty breaks. I monitor for leakage so I can take Cookie out right away and clean up. Some days there is a bunch of laundry involved.
We got special mattress protectors which are made to absorb any leaks, are soft and comfy and easy to wash. We got pee pads laid out on the couch and doggy beds, covered by comfy sheet. The pads absorb well and the sheets get washed when needed.
Sometimes is a challenge to keep everything set in place, because it's just laid out there and not secured in any appreciable way. But it's been working.
Do you have an incontinent dog? What worked for you?
Further reading:
Toxicology Brief: Phenylpropanolamine toxicosis in dogs and cats
Related articles:
Leaky Dogs: A Primer on Urinary Incontinence
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
And So It Begins Again(?) Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie
I Didn't Know I Could Fly: Why Cookie Wears A Harness Instead Of A Collar
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews For Dogs CAN Be A Choking Hazzard
Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie: The Knee Or The Foot?
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Too Young For Pot: Cookie's Snack With A Side Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Putting The Easy Back Into Walking
Cookie's Ears Are Still Not Happy
The Threat Of The Bulge Is Always Lurking
Today Is Cookie's Three-Months Adoptoversary
Cookie Meets The Electric Horse Fence And Her First Chiropractic Adjustment
Why Examine Your Dog's Vomit?
Why Is That Leg Still Not Happy? Cookie's Leg Keeps Getting Sore
Cookie Too Is Insured With Trupanion
Does Being Insured Mean Being Covered? Our First Claim With Trupanion
Is Cookie's Leg Finally Getting Better?
Is Cookie Going To Be Another Medical Challenge Or Are We Looking To Closely?
The Project That Is Cookie: Pancreatitis Up Close And Personal
Pancreatitis: Cookie’s Blood Work
Another Belly Upset: Pancreatitis Again Or Not?
Happy Birthday, Cookie
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Don't Just Stand There, Do Something? Cookie's Mysterious Bumps
Cookie's Mysterious Bumps Update
One Vomit, No Vomit
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
Don't Panic, Don't Panic: Know What Your Job Is
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
Cookie's Minor Eye Irritation
Regular Wellness Exam: Cookie's ALT Was Elevated
Cookie's Plantar Paw Pad Injury
How Far To Take It When The Dog Isn't Sick?
Cookie Has Tapeworm Infection
Cookie's Elevated ALT: The Ultrasound and Cytology
Cookie's ALT Update
The Importance of Observation: Cookie's Chiropractic Adjustment
Sometimes You Don't Even Know What You're Looking at: Cookie's Scary "We Have No Idea What that Was"
Your story can help others, maybe even save a life!
What were the first signs you noticed? How did you dog get diagnosed? What treatment did/didn't work for you? What was your experience with your vet(s)? How did you cope with the challenges?
Email me, I'll be happy to hear from you!