urinary incontinence after spaying

[jeal32]

Whomever can help me,
A few months ago, I adopted a dog from our local humane society. They had siezed her from an abusive home. She had scars on her face and was so emaciated she could hardly walk. I knew I had to save this dog. We weren't really allowed to take her home, because they had just got her that day and she wasn't healthy, but after contacting our vet, who gave us great recommendations, they allowed us to adopt her. We spent a few months gently nursing her back to health and happiness. By the way, her name is "Macie", after the word "emaciated". We then took her to be spayed. Upon returning home, she started not being able to control her bladder and needing to go outside much more frequently. I looked into this on-line and I fear she has urinary incontinence. My question is will she have to be on medication forever, or will these muscles eventually strengthen again?
I would appreciate any info on this subject----Cher

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Cher, bless you for taking her in and giving her a good home. I know it couldn't of been easy nursing her back to health and helping her adjust to home life!

First of all, has she seen a vet for this problem? Because it sounds like it could be a UTI or bladder infection, as well.

[dogs4life]

Have you asked a vet? Have you consulted the vet that did the spay? What does her chart say from the spay, can ask for copies of her full chart be sent to you?

When you say incontinence, what do you mean? Do you see dribbles all day, every day or does your dog have accidents often? Can she hold any urine at all?

[jeal32]

Thanks for responding! In answer to your question, I had not contacted the vet yet, only because Macie had only been home from her operation for 2 days, and I didn't realize what she had until I researched it on-line. I will be taking her tomorrow afternoon, as I am off work. I am hoping it is only a bladder infection, because when I got home from work tonight, my daughter(who, by the way, is an extreme animal activist and a vegan vegetarian, which would explain why my house is like an animal shelter!), informed me that Macie was able to control her bladder much better today. She was only really having problems when she was in her pen over night, almost like it was happening in her sleep. Also, on her way to the door, she wouldn't be able to hold it and would squat half way there, but only a little amount, and then she would urinate alot when she got outside. Do you think it sounds more like a bladder infection? I'll keep you informed and I will be including some before and after pictures of Macie from when I adopted her. They are heartbreaking. Thanks to all---Cher

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I would call your vet and ask if this is just a temporary after-effect of the spay, since it was just two days ago. Then they may or may not say they need to see her to test for UTI or other infection. I seem to remember hearing about this same problem after a spay, and it just improved and went away within a week after the spay. So call your vet and see what they say, and don't jump to any conclusions in the meantime.

[dogs4life]

Cher, try to remember your dog just had a hysterectomy, where her stomach muscles were cut open and she may be in pain. Sometimes we forget that our dogs need bed rest and critical care after surgery as we humans do. Did the vet give you any pain medication?

I'm glad you are going to the vet, in the meantime, can you set a timer to remind you to take her pee. We get used to our dogs telling us when they need to go so when they are in pain, sometimes we need to set reminders cause we get busy and forget.

[mom2cocoa]

A dog with spay incontinence does not necessarily have trouble holding it in the normal sense. They leak urine while resting or sleeping because the muscles relax and urine leaks. Usually it happens only when laying down and resting, but occassionally they will dribble while standing. They are not aware of it or able to control it. Though they do seem to get upset when they notice a pile of urine under them. I think it confuses them. Cocoa has spay incontinence. There is medication for it and it is for life, but it is very affordable.
It sounds to me, though, like it's too soon after surgery to diagnose it.