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Ask a Vet (Pet Health) (Expert Forum)
Concerned about our dog
Answered by
Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M. - Small Animals, dogs, cats
Randolph - NJ
This forum is for pet health questions! Dr. Cheng's interests include: Small animal medicine & surgery, Veterinary Acupuncture and Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine and Veterinary NAED, Allergy diagnosis & treatment
Concerned about our dog
by line, Jul 22, 2007 12:00AM
Our almost 10 year old Australian Shepard seems to be having a problem. When he is walking he is losing his bm, This has just been happening for about a month. He always went the same area in the yard but it seems to just come to out as he is walking. There is no visible blood and is formed. He hs not gone in the house as of yet,but on the porch and deck. He does go on the ground to pass his urine.
He seems to have no discommfort, appetite is good but does have a few small lumps here and there on his belly.
Two weeks ago our neighbor found him three blocks from our house, he never ever went off our property except on a leash.
Thanks, Line
He seems to have no discommfort, appetite is good but does have a few small lumps here and there on his belly.
Two weeks ago our neighbor found him three blocks from our house, he never ever went off our property except on a leash.
Thanks, Line
Doctor's Answer
by Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., Jul 26, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 26, 2007 12:00AM
Fecal incontinence, and wandering behavior could be two early symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is age related deterioration of the brain, much like Alzheimer�s disease or senility in humans, but the two problems could also be unrelated.
If the problems are related (cognitive dysfunction)there are medications that could be used to try to help correct the adverse behaviors, or prevent further deterioration.
Physical causes of fecal incontinence include: degenerative myelopathy (deterioration of the myelin sheath that coats nerves, intervertebral disk disease(bulging or herniated disc's that impinge the spinal nerves), Ischemic myelopathy caused by a fibrocartilaginous spinal emboli (a piece of calcified disc that has broken off resulting in blocking the blood supply of the spinal nerve) , Lumbosacral stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal due to arthritis), cauda equina syndrome (spinal nerve problem at the very tail end, past the end of the spinal cord).
You should seek veterinary attention for diagnosis. The suitable medications for your dog would depend on accurate diagnosis.
Medications for cognitive dysfunction include: Anipryl, Neuromins, DHA, Phosphotidyl serine and choline, ginko biloba and many more.
Medications for spinal disease include anti-inflammatories, steroids, and more.
Physical Therapy and Acupuncture could be very helpful especially for spinal problems.
Hope that helps!
If the problems are related (cognitive dysfunction)there are medications that could be used to try to help correct the adverse behaviors, or prevent further deterioration.
Physical causes of fecal incontinence include: degenerative myelopathy (deterioration of the myelin sheath that coats nerves, intervertebral disk disease(bulging or herniated disc's that impinge the spinal nerves), Ischemic myelopathy caused by a fibrocartilaginous spinal emboli (a piece of calcified disc that has broken off resulting in blocking the blood supply of the spinal nerve) , Lumbosacral stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal due to arthritis), cauda equina syndrome (spinal nerve problem at the very tail end, past the end of the spinal cord).
You should seek veterinary attention for diagnosis. The suitable medications for your dog would depend on accurate diagnosis.
Medications for cognitive dysfunction include: Anipryl, Neuromins, DHA, Phosphotidyl serine and choline, ginko biloba and many more.
Medications for spinal disease include anti-inflammatories, steroids, and more.
Physical Therapy and Acupuncture could be very helpful especially for spinal problems.
Hope that helps!
