Doberman Cross With Wet Bedding After the Loss of a Companion Dog
by Bridget
(Portugal)
Reader Question
Since the illness and eventual death a month ago of our German Shepherd, one of our two remaining dogs, a Doberman cross,has become urinarily incontinent. Our vet has put her on the syrup but I think it is more a problem of depression as she refuses to get off her bed and go outside to urinate before we all go to bed. She always used to go along quite happily with the other two last thing at night. By the morning her bed is often very wet yet she still won't go go outside to relieve herself. If we put her on a lead and take her out she will sometimes urinate but sometimes not - she will hang on for another two or three hours. On one occasion, at the time when we were both very stressed, the day before our German Shepherd's death, she stood with urine streaming down her hind legs, seemingly unaware, and still made no effort to go outside.
She got on very well with the German Shepherd but we had not thought that they were particularly close. He required a great deal of attention from us over a period of several months and during this time she kept a very "low profile." She is a very sensitive dog and this is her 3rd home - we have had her for nearly 3 years.
She has had tests for infection, liver and kidney function - all negative. Would you think it is more likely to be a physical or emotional problem, or a mixture of the two? I forgot to say that when she goes out for her daily walk, she passes urine two or three times, quite normally.
I appreciate that you may have many questions on this topic and quite understand that I may not receive an answer.
She got on very well with the German Shepherd but we had not thought that they were particularly close. He required a great deal of attention from us over a period of several months and during this time she kept a very "low profile." She is a very sensitive dog and this is her 3rd home - we have had her for nearly 3 years.
She has had tests for infection, liver and kidney function - all negative. Would you think it is more likely to be a physical or emotional problem, or a mixture of the two? I forgot to say that when she goes out for her daily walk, she passes urine two or three times, quite normally.
I appreciate that you may have many questions on this topic and quite understand that I may not receive an answer.
Answer from Our Team
Grief and stress can change dogs' routines, but waking up in a wet bed and leaking without noticing also fit urethral sphincter weakness, which is common in spayed females and in Dobermans. The medicine your vet prescribed treats that.
Give it a fair trial, take her out on a lead before bed, and keep her routine gentle. Ask your vet to recheck her urine for infection and her thirst, and let them know if the leaking continues on medication.
See urinary incontinence in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
