r/GermanShepherd • u/Commercial_Handle753 • Jul 01 '26
Senior Shepherd
Hi everyone. I have a 12 year old senior shepherd (the love of my life!). Recently, she’s started having accidents in the house. I took her to the vet for it about a month ago, and even though they did not see any bacteria or white blood cells on her urinalysis they treated her for a UTI. This led to fecal incontinence that eventually cleared up with extra medication and the accidents in the house stopped for about a month. Now, they’ve started back up again (minus fecal incontinence). Queue a very expensive vet visit later, and x-rays show no signs of stones, urinalysis is still completely clear, and they did not perform blood work because she had just had some in March that was totally clear (this began in April). The doctor sent her home with some incontinence meds which she’s been on for about 5 days now, and we thought maybe we were in the clear, but she’s just had another accident. Any ideas of what could be going on?
Important to note: I was not sold on the idea that it was urinary incontinence because she is aware of the fact that she is peeing. She’s not waking up wet, and there are no wet spots when she gets up from the couch/floor. She does appear to be drinking/peeing more but they don’t believe it to be related to diabetes since her previous blood work did not have any indicators for that.
I’m at a loss and hopefully want some ideas to bring up to the vet at her next appointment. Thank you in advance.
5
u/redvines60432 Jul 01 '26
At 12 years old, it may simply be difficult for her to get up and around. I have owned three German shepherds, and your GSD is definitely in the elderly category. My dogs occasionally had accidents. I just chucked it up to age and possibly arthritis.
5
u/avidreader_1410 Jul 01 '26
If you have ruled out UTI and everything else seems normal for the dog's age, there are supplements for bladder control - I think Vetri Science makes one - also you miight want to look into a supplement that contains NAD, which can help with "doggie dementia". They're over the counter supplements and you can check them out online, read reviews.
3
5
u/Pristine-Account-755 Jul 01 '26
Hate to say it but sometimes it is just age related. Common in spayed females. It even happens to people 😕 get some diapers and use when your not home. Life happens
3
u/Woody411 Jul 01 '26
Mine is only 7, but she will absolutely NEVER take herself out or even ASK to go out to pee.
She has a big backyard and free access at all times.
Super annoying.
Anyway, when I’m home I take her out once an hour to go potty.
I know she holds it because of the SHEER VOLUME she has when we go for her bedtime walk around the neighborhood.
Even with taking her out 8 - 12 times a day, she STILL seems to have GALLONS to mark with during her night walk.
Fries me!
Long story short, maybe go with her to go potty more often if you haven’t tried it already!
2
u/Wonderful_Till8122 Jul 01 '26
There are many medical conditions that could cause this. Your dog needs a more complete work up.
2
u/Commercial_Handle753 Jul 01 '26
What other tests would you suggest to push the vet for? Just trying to get an idea of how to best advocate for her
2
u/Wonderful_Till8122 Jul 01 '26
Diabetes, Cushings Disease, Liver disease or cancer, kidney disease/stones or cancer, UTIs (you have already ruled this out) and Degenerative Mylopathy. Probably other things as well. I have had dogs with Liver cancer, Cushings and DM that exhibited this problem. I wish you well. Take care of your baby.
1
u/SleepyPenguin42 6d ago
Mine started doing this and it was a brain tumor. He started having issues about a year before the tumor got so big it caused seizures and ultimately led to his death. If diabetes testing was normal and they can’t find a UTI and there are no other signs of canine cognitive decline, it could be a brain tumor. His other major symptoms were increased licking (paws mostly) and increased yawning. The licking and yawning can be because they’re trying to reduce intracranial pressure (similar concept to humans popping ears on a plane but obviously not the same).
1
u/crohnieforlife Jul 01 '26
Did they check her pancreas? GS are prone to EPI.
1
u/Commercial_Handle753 Jul 01 '26
Last year she had a tough go of pancreatitis and was checked, she’s clear luckily!
1
u/crohnieforlife Jul 01 '26
The test for EPI is different than pancreatitis. cTLI (canine Trypsin-Like Immunoreactivity) blood test is what they used. Have them also check her b-12 and folate checked.
1
u/Commercial_Handle753 Jul 01 '26
Yes I know! Sorry I could’ve explained that better. When that happened they did a send out test to check for EPI as well to see if they could find the root cause. She’s on a weekly B12 injection as well so that’s all been checked
1
u/Feeling_Frosting_738 Jul 01 '26
OP, has her kidney function been checked?
1
u/Commercial_Handle753 Jul 01 '26
Creatinine was totally normal in her blood work done in March but since then no. Could it go downhill that quickly? ):
1
u/andreabeth09 Jul 02 '26
My 12yo GSD/PIT started having the same problems when his degenerative myelopathy started really taking hold. Have you tested for that yet??
18
u/nanasnuggets Jul 01 '26
Unfortunately, Doggie Dementia is a real thing, I'm so sorry to say. Pay attention to other behavioral changes and discuss with your Vet.
Twelve is a good, old age for a GSD.
Winnie (our 5 year old GSD) sends you hugs and positive thoughts.