Older Dog

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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edited February 2017 in Your Pets #1

Does anyone have advice for an older dog who is getting "caught short" first thing in the morning.  Her mother had the same problem not being able to hold her pooh in the morning but was older.  Mine is nearly 12 - and I am trying to cut down the evening meal to see if that works.  I have fed main meal in the morning and a small meal at night and now its getting to be a bigger meal in the morning and much less at night.  The biggest problem is on site when she doesn't get to the dog walk.  I think it may be unfair to cope with the problem for too long  but can't really think of a resolution - she is active in every other way - but not keen on having "accidents". 

Comments

  • dreamer1
    dreamer1 Forum Participant Posts: 141
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    edited February 2017 #2

    Take her to the Vets

     

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #3

    What time do you give the evening meal ??, does she "need" the evening meal ?,

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited February 2017 #4

    What time do you take the dog for his/her last walk. And what time do you take the dog for his/her first walk in the morning. Perhaps a trial of using different times might help the problem.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #5

    Husky could have a point, Pippah. Perhaps feed her one meal a day in the morning and maybe a few biscuits later.

    Although some may tut-tut on site, CC understands that accidents happen and, as long as it's cleaned up properly, very few people will have the nerve to moan about an elderly incontinent dog, surely?

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited February 2017 #6

    Hmm I wrote a reply to all above this morning but the site was grindingly slow and  lost it - thank you - for the contributions.  No this dog doesn't need evening meal - but the other one does - so just a tiny amount as a token meal and her epilepsy herbal from now on. 

    Letting them out - on New Years Eve/Day I walked them at Ferry Meadows at 1.30am ish - and again at 8 am and she didn't make it off site.  Normally I let them out after food at 6pm ish and then again last thing at night. 

    She had a health check when having her teeth cleaned a few weeks ago - and I will mention to vet on next visit - but they haven't been at all helpful when I have asked for advice on these matters before. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #7

    We have toured with elderly dogs and can empathise. We used mainly CLs with good dog walks adjacent, and kept the dog moving quite firmly until off site, or put in car and took off site. Neither of these may suit your pet, only you will know. I would also consider some of the suggestions here regarding feeding times, and walking times. We used to do a very late walk, and a quite early walk, but again depends on your circumstances. I would have a quiet word with site Wardens when you book, explain the situation, and you are very likely to get a pitch close to dog walk, or site entrance. I should think the Wardens would want to help you, as you are being proactive and recognising what might be a problem, which in turn will make their lives easier. You might have to choose your sites with care, and there is no doubt that an elderly dog can limit options some times. We definitely found CLs much easier, being smaller and with closer walks.

    Hope things work out OK for you.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #8

    It's a difficult one, Pippah. I hope you find a solution.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2017 #9

    Do not worry if she cannot make it to the dog walk or off site our last Collie got taken short (diorea?) when on Broadway site and the warden insisted that we carry on to dog walk while he and assistant cleared up and hosed the area downsmile

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #10

    Our dog doesn't always make to the exit or dog walk ,and I always walk on the road and take the quickest route , if she does do a poo it's picked up and the area sprayed with "formula H" (disinfectant) , I know it's not ideal ,but accidents happen and if you are seen to be dealing with the situation then that should surfice..

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