Incontinence in female Labrador

[ddsr38]

My 7 year old female Lab developed incontinence several weeks ago. She has been treated with antibiotics for 2 weeks.
She has been off the drug for a week, and the incontinence is back..
Suggestins.

[ginger899]

What was she treated for, when she was given the antibiotics? Was it a urinary infection?
This is just a thought. IF she was treated for a urinary infection (or kidney infection) there is the possibility the antibiotic hasn't worked completely, and she may need another course of some other antibiotic.

I don't know, without more details, if this is the case or not. But my dog once had a urinary infection, and one of the symptoms (among others) was that she peed indoors on the floor. (And was mortified at this, as she NEVER pees indoors!)

[ddsr38]

Thanks for the reply.
She did not exhibit an infection, but the vet said sometimes they don't. She took two courses of antibiotics, and seemed to be better while on the drug. When the drug was finished, she started leaking again. She does not just pee, she has a constant leakage while lying around, ie, a wet spot underneath her when she gets up.
I started her on cranberry caps yesterday ( vet approved ). I will see if this helps before trying vitamin C, another none drug therapy.
Her urine ph was / is too alkaline and not concentrating as it should, ie, too weak like she had been drinking too much water, which she has not.

[dogmom192]

Hello. My female dog developed a leaking problem at age 8.  My vet said that many middle-age spayed females develop leaking problems due to lack of hormones.  I believed him, (even tried hormone replacement) - helped brieflly, but once off the hormones, leaking again, (BIG mistake with hormones- don't go that route).  Then, he recommended Proin, a drug he said had no known side-effects.  Well, it worked, but my dog developed strange staring behavior within 2 weeks, so took her off that, (and later found out this Proin is actually the equivalent of human dexatrim, which was taken off the market by the FDA).  Also, I believe this harsh drug, Prion, (in combination with a vaccined given around the same time frame) weakened my dogs immune system, instigating cancer development in a spot on her leg where she had had an traumatic injury 2 years prior.  So, BIG mistake to turn to pharmaceuticals.

My dog doesn't have a leaking problem anymore, because I figured out on my own it was a diet/supplement related problem. Her body wasn't getting what she needed to function normally.  I changed her diet to grain-free food, (dogs systems are not built to digest grain, and it causes stress on their kideys/liver overtime to try to digest it).  Get a high quality dog food, such as EVO (a grain-free variety) or "Taste of the Wild", etc...  A raw diet is even better, as raw meat contains enzymes cooked out of dry food, which dogs need for optimal health.  

Also, I found out (through many hours of searching) about a product called "Fresh Factors" by SpringtimeInc.com .   A lady was using this supplement for her dog just to give her dog the necessary enzymes/nutrients not present in cooked kibble, (that are found in raw food).  She discovered, as a side bonus that her dogs incontinence ceased after starting her dog on the Fresh Factors.  It works.  You can double or triple the dose if you wish, to boost it in the beginning, as well, with absolute safety/no harm or ill effects, whatsoever.  Anyways, I tried it, and it works.  I throw it in both my dogs food daily, and even crush one up with the back of a spoon and mix in with my 18 year old cats food every day-  incidentally, this supplement gave new life to my very old cats who were basically both sleeping 24/7.  Now they chase each other around the house, go in and out the cat door all day long- like regular cats.  You can go to their website and read tons of testimonials.  I love it-  I started it even before changing my dogs diet, and it made a big difference even before the diet change.  

[ddsr38]

Thank you so much!
I am going to start your program ASAP.
I will let you know our results.

[ginger899]

I have learned of a new surgery which can help in 75% of cases of incontinence (what is called 'acquired incontinence') in spayed females. It is done by keyhole surgery, so is less invasive. Collagen is injected into the urethral sphincter to help it to close better.
Depending on whether your dog is fit for anesthetic in your vet's opinion, you could maybe discuss this with your vet?

[ddsr38]

UPDATE : My dog, Molly, has not leaked , as far as we can tell, since starting the cranberry caps (500mg once a day ). It is remarkable.
I ordered the Fresh Factor, and started her on that, too, but she had already stopped leaking . I am going to continue both for awhile.
I am starting my wife on the cranberry treatment,because she has had one "sling" surgery and 5 collagen injections without lasting relief for incontinence.
Thanks for all your advice. I will let you know how we do.

[AllisonMain]

My 3 year old black lab Daisy started "leaking" when she was just a year old.  Our vet told us this is a common problem with lab females.  She chews 2 "Proin"  tabs a day and the problem is solved, however, if she misses a pill, she'll leak all over the floor or kennel.  It is caused from a weak spincter muscle.

[ddsr38]

I have been giving Molly 500mg of Cranberry supplement and 2 Fresh Factors twice a day since mid June. She was doing great until several days ago, then she started leaking more than she ever did.
Any advice?