Incontinence after Neutering?

[Nikki Stump]

Yesterday, Simon got neutered in accordance with the new Las Vegas City Ordinance.

Is inability to 'hold it' for more than 6 hours normal and [when] will he regain his former control? I let him out the last time last night at about 11pm, and was woke up at 4am to him whining and doing the potty dance which is VERY unlike him. But I thought, well maybe no one let him out at the vet's office, and he hadn't gone very MUCH at 11pm, so it was just sort of a weird thing and I shrugged it off.

Well then this morning between 8 and 9, he was whining and shifting around, but I didn't realize that was why because for him that's VERY short. At a little after 10am, he started leaving little puddles every time he shifted or readjusted himself.

His normal routine is twice a day, about 12 hours apart, though I've known him to hold it for even longer on occasion when I couldn't get there to let him
out for one reason or another.

He is fully wide awake and bouncing every time I head for the door, not at all groggy or 'drunk' anymore. It wasn't a lack of awareness, else I think he wouldn't have been whining, but instead just like he simply
couldn't hold it anymore.

Vet said to keep an eye on him and bring him back tomorrow if it's still happening, but just curious if anyone else has experienced this.

[Eva]

Hi,
It didn't happen with 2 of my other male cocker spaniels. I wonder if it is the start of a urinary tract infection. I would bring him in if it doesn't get better in a day or so. Good luck. Eva

[GBK]

Nikki, I hope that Simon is fine now! Can you give us an update?

[Nikki Stump]

It kept on hardcore for about two weeks in the end. It's really odd and the vet had no idea. The thing is, after that first day, it improved dramatically. He went from being able to hold it no more than 4-5 hours to 6, and gradually up to ALMOST 8 over the course of a week or so. But then he plateaued. At 10 days, we had our followup from the neuter with the vet. The vet said if it were a UTI, it wouldn't have improved with no treatment, but only worsened. Just the same, they also said they'd first want to check for a UTI, and then for things like bladder stones, kidney function, etc.

Since he did improve, I opted to not go through any tests at the time. So that night, I started him on yogurt and cranberry (when I had kidney stones, my doctor told me cranberry and lemonade were good to prevent them, and cranberry is good for irritation and UTIs too so I thought what they hey) with his dinner every night and we were also cleared to go back to normal activity, so he resumed dogpark every other night or so and also our long bikerides. The very next day, he had no accident all day at work and also was not desperate to go potty after work. And he's improved steadily since then although I haven't pushed him beyond 12 hours.

The thing is, I don't know whether it was the cranberry or resuming normal activity that did it. So he's still on cranberry until things calm down at work so I can take him in with me in case it resumes when I stop the cranberry.

But here's something interesting too. Simon has never been big on marking except at the dog park, which I don't really care about, and occasionally when we wait at a traffic light on our bike rides, which again is not a big deal so long as he's ready to run when the light turns green. When at home even though he doesn't really mark, he's always been the sort to go half on one bush and half on a second bush. Since the surgery, it's like he's lost the ability to stop mid-stream, and also he never gets his tummy-fur wet anymore. Even at the park, he'd go all on one tree and then go around and hike his leg but nothing would come out on all his other favorite spots.

I don't know what EXACTLY that indicates and the vet didn't really have any ideas either, but it is different now than it was before the surgery, so it must be important. But just VERY recently, like over the last few days, he's started being able to stop mid-stream again and move on to another bush, marking at the park again, and saving a little up to wet the traffic poles on our bike rides. So I think this is a good sign that whatever was the matter is healing, but just slowly.

I still really doubt it was a UTI, because I don't think even the concentrated cranberry powder I got for him would completely cure a UTI. So that leaves either a reaction to the anesthesia or else the actual procedure of being neutered. I think he is going to need a dental cleaning this fall (when my vet has dental month and it's cheaper lol) so I will know after that whether it is a reaction to the anesthesia. If it's the anesthesia, then I will probably have them go ahead and run the full urinalysis and kidney panel to see what's going on.

I really hope there's nothing wrong with his kidneys. I already feel bad enough about putting him through a painful and unnecessary surgery, but if the anesthesia damaged his kidneys too, then I'll really feel like crap. :(

[GBK]

Sounds like he is finally healing up though Nikki, that is great! If you are worried about kidney damage, they should be able to find that out through simple bloodwork. I also wonder since Simon wasn't a puppy when he had the nuetering if the recovery just takes a little longer. Would love to meet up and talk with you at one of the romps :)

[Nikki Stump]

Hmm maybe I spoke too soon. This morning, new symptom. When he lifted his leg on his customary bush, he sprayed SO far that he soaked one of his front legs from the elbow down and his puddle went a good 12 inches in front of his front paws. This all of a sudden from the stream being so weak it wouldn't even hit the bush half the time. We are going to the vet this evening for I guess a UTI test.

[Jennifer Grube]

My pup had some issues as well; it turned out to be two different types of crystals in her bladder. She got put on a special food diet to break up the crystals and is doing much better. I wish you the best of luck. Let us know how UTI test turns out.