Loss of bowel control, 10yo great dane female

Question
10Y.O femal great dane has no bowel control.
Drags one leg after long walk but still loves a run.
Has slept in the house since a puppy and we're reluctant to make her sleep outside. However cannot put up with the mess.

Answer

Hi Paul,

You didn't say if you've had your dog examined by a vet recently or not. Your dog may have some form of nerve damage, given the fact she's also dragging a leg.   An exam will rule out an underlying cause for her fecal incontinence. There are medications which can help with incontinence, only your vet can tell you what might work for your dog.  Keep her walks quite short if you know walking aggravates her condition. She may require pain medication.

Be sure to  get your dog on a strict feeding and bathroom schedule, as you know she can't hold it.

There are orthopedic devices, such as leg braces which could help your dog's leg to function better. That's something you should discuss with your vet. Here is some more info on dog leg braces:

http://www.orthodog.com/

http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php/help-pets-walk/k9-dog-orthotic-brace.ht...

http://www.mypetsbrace.com


You can help your dog to walk by placing a sling under her tummy area. You can make one from a large towel, or buy a sling, such as this one:

http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php/cartcompatible.html

http://www.walkaboutharnesses.com/

Having your dog wear "doggie diapers" may seem undignified, but it's a good way of preventing household accidents. You can find them in pet stores, and on line.  If you opt for the diapers, you'll need to pay extra attention to your dog's skin in the diapered area. Use baby wipes to clean the genital area, underbelly and any other places that come in contact with urine or feces. Once cleaned, apply corn starch baby powder to your dog's belly and genital area. If redness, irritation or a skin rash develops, apply a diaper rash-ointment instead of using powder, and wash the area twice daily until healed (Be sure to also dry the area well. A hair drier can help with this.).

You might consider bowel expression. This is done to make your dog have a bowel movement at a time and place that's convenient for you, rather than allowing an accident to occur.  Learn more about this procedure here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeKS-rwn5LY

http://lapawspa.com/bowel_expression_000044.html

Lastly, don't let your dog have the run of your home anytime you can't be watching her like a hawk.  You can use a couple of child gates to contain her to part of a room during those times. Lay a thick layer of newspaper down over the entire containment area, to make it easier to clean up the inevitable messes.

Best of luck,

Patti