Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > old jack russell - what to do?

old jack russell - what to do?

19 11:10:57

Question
So we have a 14 year old jack russell. She is loosing her bladder constantly all over the house. Pee Pee accidents she has if I do not take her out every 2 hours. She has stopped barking to let me know she needs to go out. She even pee's in her own bed. We have been keeping her in a kennel at night which she seems to be okay with. I have taken her to the vet and they did a bunch of blood work and a urine sample. Basically they came up with nothing. They said she had an increase in her Kidney Levels which lead me to believe that her kidneys are going.
I just don't know what to do anymore we have 2 young children and I am starting to go crazy. This has been an issue since september. It started gradual and now is getting to the point where yesterday she pee'd 4 times in the house.
Is they anything we can do to help her kidneys. Do I go back to the doctor for more tests. Putting her to sleep is a touching subject for my husband as it was his mother's dog who passed away. Although we have had her for the last 7 years. Our dog doesn't seem depressed. Her whole body shakes and doesn't appear to be in pain. She is eating less and loosing weight gradually. She has lost 3 lbs since her september checkup.
Sorry to babble so much. What would you do? Is there anything that can help or do we just wait it out or put her to sleep?
P.s. We have tried the proin and it didn't seem to help.
Thanks for your time!

Answer
Your dog is going downhill the very same way my first schnauzer did. I would suggest you try a different medication such as diethylstibesterol on her and see if it doesn't work better. Be sure to keep her somewhere such as the kitchen so that it is easy to clean up after her so that you won't get upset with her. You could also get a pair of doggy britches for her and insert something like a sanitary napkin to catch the urine; that might give her a more normal life in the house.

Touchy subject or not, at 14 your dog has lived a good long life and she is nearing the end of her time. If a change in meds doesn't work, then it is probably time to help her along.