Elder Female Dog has begun to have accidents with a red/brownish stinky discharge and the end of the urination trail. She is spayed and has been for 12 years.

Our female dog has begun to have accidents in the house over night.  She is 12 years old, has a tough time climbing stairs (just recently) and now has been going in the house at night with a red/brownish discharge at the end of her pee trail.  While peeing outside she often repeats the squat and releases this discharge two to three times.  
Her temperament has become some what mean also.  She no longer likes to deal with my husband but rather only deals with me... she can attempt biting when we try to take her outside at night.  I'm not sure if that's because going up and down the stairs is just too difficult and she would rather not attempt or if she's becoming mean.  
PLEASE HELP!  I need to take her to the vet but I'm doing my research prior just to see what we may be looking at.

I also have two children, age two and one month... this may cause some of these behavioral problems I'm sure.  She most likely doesn't feel like the baby anymore.  :-(  

[have 2 kids]

It sounds like she may have an infection.   I would contact the vet right away and let him figure out what is going on.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

It is always so hard when the dogs that we enjoyed so much during their younger years start having issues in their "senior" time.

As you and have 2 kids mentioned, a trip to the veterinarian is warranted due to the discharge you are seeing in the urine.  But, to help with your research, you might consider posting this question over in the General Health forum of the Ask A Vet Expert section.   We have several veterinarians that can help you with ideas, advice, and real world experience.  We also have pet behaviorists that can chime in and provide some thoughts on her changing behavior.

Good luck!!

[ginger899]

This discharge does need attention. As she is spayed, it's got to be coming from her bladder. It most likely is an infection, as it smells so bad. Hopefully antibiotics will clear it if it is an infection. But I would definitely take a sample of urine and discharge with you if possible, for analysis.

Sudden behavioural changes in a dog of any age can mean that there is a health issue going on, in the absence of any 'psychological' triggers or traumas. You know when we feel bad, it can make us grumpy, or impatient....same for a dog.

[ilmbg]

Could the discharge possibly be coming from her anus- full anal glands?
If you are not familiar with this, they are glands just inside the anus- at about 4 and 8 o'clock. Usually the stuff comes out with a BM- but as a dog gets older, and the muscles/skin around the anus is not as tight as when she was younger, sometimes it leaks out while she is squatting.  It smells vile.  It is an easy fix if this is the problem, but very important that it is taken care of, or she could get infected glands (that might already be the problem).  Your vet should check to see if this is the problem- and can show you how to empty the glands yourself.
I am hoping this is the problem and not a urinary infection.
Whatever it is, you need to see a vet before it becomes something that her older body can't handle.

[krystalraine]

Thank you so much for all of your help!  Maggie has been my baby for many years and I'm not ready to lose her... she is an excellent, essential part of this family!  We already have a vet appointment for her and hopefully after this she will be feeling back to her old self.  

:-)  Thanks again!