Incontinent Dog

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Our elderly dog is full of life and energy, but has urinary incontinence.

She wears a nappy at night.

AIBU to have her put to sleep? DH thinks so

We say all the time when a dog is sick that just because a dog looks happy, it doesn't mean it is. And I fail to believe any dog that has to wear a nappy, and therefore spend time with it's own urine or faeces in contact with it's skin, is happy.

Personally, I think once a dog that was once clean can no longer control their bodily functions then you're only prolonging their life for your own benefit.

But some people cannot bring themselves to do the 'kind' thing.There are posters on Mumsnet who practically glorify, and boast about, the fact their dogs lay in their own faeces overnight - so if you want a balanced view, OP, you've probably come to the wrong place.

I am sorry though, it's horrible watching them get older.

Incontinence is rough for dog and owners. If there are any skins sores then that is definitely a quality of life issue.
I think dogs don't like smelling of urine and can be upset when they realised they have soiled in the home unintentionally.
The care and time needed is a lot.

There are some good quality of life diary/scales for keeping track of all the things that matter..not just continence. They can help track declines.

It doesn't say if medications have already been tried but can be very useful for urine incontinence (Propalin and Incurin in the UK). Would need to be prescribed by a vet.

Thank you. That's what I think.

DH think that is cruel to put a "Healthy" dog to sleep.

I argue that she isn't healthy.

She's on Incurin, but the effect wore off within a week

Have you taken her to the vet and got a vet's opinion?

Yes. They prescribed Incurin and she's had a variety of scans. It's not improving

Would he like to wear a nappy 24 hrs a day?

Have you been back to the bet? Had the dose increased? What are the causes / diagnosis?

More information needed.

Had a similar issue with #2's for my dog, 2 years ago.... Correct medication due to nerve issues and problem fixed. Costs a few quid per month, but issue is gone.

Thanks everyone.

We've been to the vet several times, but they can't out the cause. The vet recommended nappies. 😥

I think messing inside would have put my dog in such distress that I never wanted it to get to that point. He never ever had an accident beyond puppyhood. In his last few days he struggled to stand but always went outside to toilet. He absolutely fell off a cliff though - had has annual check, all ok if a bit slow and deaf, three weeks later we had to put him to sleep. He still ate fine, but there was no question it was time. I saw him whimper a couple times and had to help him get to his feet so he could go out - three days before he could still walk around the block. I carried him to the vet the next day. (He had been on pain meds and a short course of steroids when I first took him back a week after his annual check as he had deteriorated so much but no improvement). He went peacefully with me and my DD with him.

An incontinent dog will be a stressed dog, we know they don't like toileting in their own spaces.

I'm sorry this must be upsetting but yes she should be pts

I think only you know OP. You know your dog. In itself its not necessarily an issue, its about how stressed it makes the dog. If it doesn't bother the dog then ok. If the dog showing signs of distress then it might be time

Can't say I like wearing incontinence pants, tbh, but they're a health aid. You can be certain it isn't worse than death!

It seems a bit of a drastic response but, not being a dog, I wouldn't know whether wearing nappies is that unbearable for her. Is she trying to pull them off all the time?

Humans can continue living a fulfilling life with severe disabilities due to our capacity for abstract thought. Animals can’t sit and enjoy a good book or many of the other leisure activities that make our lives worth continuing when our bodies shut down. It can’t be pleasant for the dog to be dealing with this. When it comes to when to put an animal down it’s very much on you to judge since you know your dog best. We can’t give a fully informed opinion over the internet. However, I’m not sitting here thinking you definitely can’t put a dog down for being incontinent. It is a valid reason as far as I’m concerned. It’s down to you to make the judgement call though.