Reader Question
I have a 14 year old that has LP which was solved by putting a permanent trach with no plastic tube. He is doing well, no complaints there. He also has arthritis in the rear legs and hips. He gets around just fine. Several months after the trach sugery he started having fecal episode in the house. This has happened more frequently over the last several months. The stool is very firm, thank god. He is always hungry like any normal lab which is a good thing. In the past month he has not only had fecal problems but he also started peeing once in his bed so far and several times peeing while walking around the house which makes it extra fun. We of course send him out to make sure he understands that this is not acceptable. I'm sure he knows this. We've been extra careful in monitoring his water and food intake and when he actuallys goes to the bathroom. For many years he has been like a clock. Out in the morning for a pee and bowel movement, back in the house to eat. Out it the evening for a pee and a bowel movement, back in the house to eat. Him and his son come to work with me everyday and lately we take him out more often to make sure he doesn't have an accident.He obviously knows the routine, but recently it is more important to come back in to eat especially with his son competeing for placement.He is
old, but is still happy, hungry and interested in things.Long walks are a thing of the past due to his arthritis. I don't think he has a parasite, infection, etc. the only thing I can thinkof is a hormone or nervous sytem problem. Please let me know what you think.
Answer from Our Team
It’s good to hear he’s still happy and interested in life. When an older dog starts having both bowel and urine accidents, it’s worth a vet visit soon. In older Labradors, laryngeal paralysis is often part of a slowly progressive nerve disease that can later weaken the back legs, so ask your vet whether that could be playing a part. Spinal problems such as disc disease or lumbosacral stenosis, arthritis that makes it hard to get outside in time, and urinary conditions such as infections are other possibilities.
Your vet will likely do a neurologic exam of his back legs, tail and anal reflex, check a urine sample and blood work, and ask about pain relief for his arthritis. Peeing while walking, without seeming to notice, is something to mention specifically.
Please don’t scold him or put him outside as a punishment for accidents. If he can’t control it, he can’t learn from it, and it can make him anxious. Frequent trips out, a washable bed and keeping his rear clean will help. Go urgently if he becomes weak in the back legs or can’t pass urine. See our guide to senior dog fecal incontinence.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
