Our precious guy is almost 15. Lately he has had difficulty squatting to defecate (no way to put this delicately). We have been trying exercises to strengthen his back legs but they are definitely weaker (altho' exercise has helped). He is also taking medications that help. He goes to squat, then gets up almost immediately and it trails behind him. That's not a huge problem. Lately, however, every so often he has been trying to get up and he falls, right into his pile (and when it's loose, it gets all over him). We live in Massachusetts and while the snow doesn't help, this winter is relatively mild and there are places for him to go where there is no snow. He has also been going in the house (and occasionally in his crate - his special place) at least once or twice a week. We take him out regularly but he will go in the house as soon as 10 minutes after being outside. He also wakes up in the middle of the night to go out, even though he has been walked around 10 pm every night. Could he be waiting as long as possible because of pain involved? He never complains or yelps, just gives me the "oh dear" eyes. Any advice would be welcome - we want him to have pain-free days!
Hi there. Sorry to hear your boy is struggling. I don't have any experience of this, but I'm sure someone will be along who has been through this. My immediate thought, after watching the Supervet on TV the other night was that he uses some sort of strap to support the rear end of dogs who have had surgery on their rear legs - maybe you could try the same to take the pressure off his legs when he squats? I'm not sure if he'd be put off and not want to go, though. It would probably take a while to desensitise him to it.
Has he been Vetted? There could be any number of reasons for this, loss of sphincter control, pain in legs, back or neck, neurological damage. If the squat is taking longer than it used to and/or he is straining that could point to prostate enlargement which is very common. Pain meds may help. Please DO NOT use any supporting harnesses or strap things till you have a diagnosis. If there is damage to a part of the back in particular and it has lead to neurological damage you can make things worse if the strap or harness is in the wrong place. Sorry you are at this stage. We learned a lot when our old girl put her back out at age 12.5. We really are not sure if her loss of faecal control was due to neurological damage or to the pain meds numbing sensation. She did well for another two years with increasingly stronger pain meds and shorter and shorter walks. Its a tough time.
He goes to the vet every two months to monitor kidney issues (he has about 35% kidney function - has not decreased and is stable). We go to the vet (he has a geriatrician) at the beginning of next week. I won't do the strap (can't figure it out, anyway). We know he has leg pain and some muscle atrophy (he has a "shelf" at the end of his back near the start of his tail) .... don't want to face up to any loss of sphincter control.
It could be part of the ageing process sadly. My daughter's old Lab became incontinent both ways and would walk along defecating, he had no control over his sphincter, so she used to put a nappy on him.
Hi there, sorry to hear about your old boy, he looks a dear fellow in the photo! I do sympathise having been through it myself with two elderly dogs, this is part of the growing older process I am afraid, and it is indeed a tough time. Just stay calm and clean up after him, you know not to get upset as he is not doing it on purpose. Give him lots of love and cuddles and be happy for each day you have left with him.
Hi, what a handsome boy he is. I haven't had to deal with this but I just wanted to say I am sorry you are going through this with your dear friend. Each day is precious. Helen x
I don't have any answers for you I'm afraid, but just wanted to say good luck at your vet visit and I hope he can help your old friend. And welcome to the forum.
My old lab had a similar problem when he got to your boys age. In fact in his photo he reminds me a lot of murphy. He too occasionally sat down in it !!! Unfortunately I do think it is a symptom of old age I'm afraid. As you've said your boy has some muscle atrophy so like with my old dog they just don't have the strength in their legs to hold the squat position. The way I delt with it was when he squatted to go I supported his back legs by positioning my hands just above the crook of the knee if that makes sense. I didn't apply pressure or hold him up unless it was necessary. Not the best look in public but by then we were only doing short walks down our lane or on our field. He also had trouble in the night. You could try altering when you feed him which might stop him needing to go in the night. I used masking tape to stick a puppy pad to my dogs bed at night just incase of accidents.
I agree , it does sound like old age . I too have been there on too many occasions , when a dearly loved dog is nearing the end , I hope your lovely old soul can be kept happy in his twilight time .
I'm at this stage with my old boy. Its hard but I go with him and support him and pick him up if he falls. he's on regular pain relief and has hydro(weekly) and physiotheraphy(2 x a day), it does seem to be part of the aging process for a lot of labs. He's very happy eating well just a bit leaky. hugs to you and your lovely boy
Thank you all for your support. Vet said he had no sphincter or neurological issues and recommended a Help'Em Up Harness. That seems to work well when we are outside. He has been incontinent inside - will defecate in the house, or in his crate at night, sometimes right after we have been outside! Can't get angry at him, but I think he knows something's wrong. The vet's also told us to keep track of his good and bad days....he's not greeting people, he sleeps a lot, doesn't play ball. He apparently also has bad cataracts but can still see. We lost our yellow guy last year to an immunologic disease. This guy, like our other one, is so sweet that we can't bear the thought of him suffering. He still loves his food....we can clean up messes! Thank you again.....
Thank you -- loved the photo of your two guys...looks like my two! I have an almost identical photo of them by a pond.
Ah, it must be tough looking after your old friend but so lovely you still have time with him. Weighing up his good times, and not so good times, is very sensible advice. You love him, and want to do the best for him - and you will.
