Would More or Less Fibre Help a Senior Lab With Nerve-Related Fecal Incontinence?
by Claire
(Salem NH)
He has had a full neurological exam ( MRI, spinal tap, muscle and nerve biopsies)
It is clearly degenerative nerve damage. He is otherwise healthy and quite active, aside from his hind quarters.
I'm wondering if changing his diet to more or less fiber would help. He is currently on limited ingredient Natural Instincts sweet potato and fish diet.
Diet can help, but the goal is firm, predictable stools rather than simply more or less fibre. Dogs with nerve-related incontinence often do best on a highly digestible food that makes less, firmer stool, so there's less to leak. Some dogs do better with a little added fibre to firm up the stool; in others, extra fibre makes stool bulkier and accidents more frequent.
Ask your vet to help you choose, and change one thing at a time over a couple of weeks. Feeding at set times and walking him soon after meals so he empties his bowels on schedule usually helps as much as the food itself. Keep his bottom clean, and use washable bedding.
See senior dog fecal incontinence and fecal incontinence in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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