Just a bit at a loss

[Roodog]

I have a greyhound, he's 10 years old, came to me 5 years ago via rescue so not a lot known about his early life, other than racing industry.

He has never been entirely wee free in the house, would go months fine then have odd wees for no apparent reason; we'd have been for a walk, or the garden door was open etc, so no obvious reason. Tried lots of advice but in the end put it down to some sort of anxiety or separation anxiety (even when I was in the next room!).

But the past year it's got worse, and I just feel at a loss and I'm not sure where to go from here. He can go overnight, or for several hours in the day, no wee. Then I'll be upstairs and he's downstairs for 10 mins, and there will be a little wee. He has his favourite spots, and I've done all the enzyme cleaning things etc etc. No effect.

He'll wake me in the night, I'll let him out. Then there will be a wee in the morning anyway.

Then he started losing full control of his bowels. Vet suggested potentially something neurological and or arthritis. He's on meds. We go on a walk, he poos, I let him in the garden, he poos. Then other times, he's in his bed and suddenly leaps up, I can see he really needs to go and it's hit and miss whether he makes it outside in time, like the urge to go just overtakes anything. And its happening at night as well, so I come down to poo every morning. One night this week he woke me 4 times, I let him out each time. There was still a poo and a wee when I got up.

I think he might be in pain and not wanting to go, but then he can't hold it any longer. It happens in the car too. He suddenly stands up and goes.

I can take him outside indefinitely and he doesn't do anything. I don't think there's anything else I can do.

He's not showing obvious pain, not showing distress. But then he's a very stoic greyhound, not renowned for showing their feelings, unless it's the scream of death.

I'm taking him back to the vets, but he's been on the meds for the best part of a year and they didn't really make a difference. It is getting steadily worse.

So maybe this is my life now, and his, for the next however many years.

I feel so guilty and sad. He looks at me with his big eyes, I'm his person, but I don't know what to do. And the constant messing is really getting me down.

I would put him on raw, as the amount of poo will be massively reduced.
I realize this will only make the symptom easier to deal with, but I couldn't cope with kibble poo in that situation.
Raw poo is tiny quantities and easy to pick up. It doesn't smell.

I know a few people with Rescue Greyhounds and they raw feed, not necessarily to reduce poo but because they can have very delicate tummys.
I raw feed too and I agree the poo is very small and relatively inoffensive even with a large dog
I know that doesn't fix the underlying issue but it might make the symptoms to deal with

Over the years I found food that works for him. But now he'll have good stools, followed by really mucous and runny ones. Could try a different food, I can't keep on like this. He doesn't enjoy his walks any more either. I think there must be something undiscovered.

Unfortunately I fear it’s neurological, my dd started this about 11, passed away from a huge seizure a year later, we weren’t asking for a pm but the vets (teaching practices) asked for permission to help their students and understanding, he had a tumour. I hope this isn’t the case but do prepare yourself, give him the best life for now

@mamagogo1 I'm sorry to hear your experience. This is what's in my mind, and I'm preparing myself for the possibility.

I'm sorry you are going through such a worrying time with your boy 😞

We have two retired racers and they really are special creatures, aren't they!

If I had these issues with one of ours I'd be straight to our vet. Sometimes we are scared of what our vet might say ( it's how I've felt on multiple occasions, but there's no choice - the only option is to be brave for your hound 😦), but there may be something that could help.

Sending my best wishes 💐

@LadyGrillingSole they're so special aren't they. We're booked in to the vets, but I wanted to see the person who has looked after him for other things.over the years, and he's on leave until 24th. Wondering whether to wait or go this week, the other vets at the practice are lovely too, but the one he's seen before has all his history and is great with him.

Ah, I understand the dilemma you're facing - speedy appointment vs a vet who knows your boy better...😕

In your position I'd see the first available, but if I wasn't 100% happy I'd go back to the vet who knows him better. It's really all you can actually do to cover all bases ( and yes, I do drive my dh up the wall with many and frequently unnecessary visits to our lovely vet 🙄) but you'll hopefully get some sleep tonight!

@LadyGrillingSole thank you for understanding

What medication are they on currently?

Currently on gabapentin, has also had metacam but not currently on that

Your vet has suggested arthritis and from my experience with it is similar to yours.

Prior to my dog being diagnosed with arthritis she started losing control her her bowels when going up the stairs, jumping or sudden movement. She was then put on Librela and microdosed with ketamine as my vet says it is more effective than gabapentinan. The librela stopped her bowel issues entirely. She enjoyed walks again and was a new dog. She was a Staffy so showing pain was not in her nature at all, her arthritis was extensive and severe so she must have been in pain for a long time before the bowel issues clued me into something being wrong. It could be worth trying the same treatment if arthritis is a possible cause.

Personally, I would see the first available and then follow up with the vet who knows your boy best.

I lost my girl this year to unrelated issues. The vets that didn't know her well thought she was doing better, she was but she still wasn't happy or right. The vet that knew her well knew as soon as we went in that it was time for her to go. My dog was also more relaxed with her so didn't hide her pain or symptoms around her so being able to see a vet that knows your dog well and your dog knows well is a good idea.

Sorry you're going through this xx

@Cluckycluck that's interesting, thank you. Decided overnight to see vet ASAP. Good to have thoughts re arthritis and neuro. Thanks all for your kind words and advice.

@Roodog please update us when you've seen the vet. Fingers crossed for your and your boy.

Hi, and update as promised. Saw the vet this afternoon, and although not the one who has most history, fortunately it was the lovely vet who has seen him before the usual one, and she remembered us!

Really thorough investigation and history taken. She thinks he might have Guardia, and that intestinal pain could be making his back/hips worse. She's not definite that the existing pain is arthritis or neuro, and as Gabapentin was previously helpful, the plan is to have Panacur treatment for the Guardia and then up the Gaba dose, and review next week.

I mentioned Librela, but she said at the moment she didn't think this would be the primary treatment.

I feel reassured that she thinks it's something treatable, so more hopeful than yesterday.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that your lovely vet has solved the problem 🕵and hopefully your boy will be feeling much better soon!