Dealing with Incontinence

[DogMom623]

Both Barney (11) and Mynka (12) suffer from incontinence as a result of diuretics and other meds they take for congestive heart failure. Mynka has developed a habit of urinating inside, and we have weewee pads down for her. Barney regularly goes outside to potty, but he "dribbles" when he sleeps, and I'll find his leg and tummy fur damp after he wakes up. His cough medicine (cough related to CHF and trachea collapse) is a narcotic, and he sleeps so deeply I think that he doesn't wake up when he normally would need to go out. The dogs have a doggie door that allows them access to our fenced backyard anytime they want, so they don't have to wait to be let out.

My poor dining room carpet is beyond help, even with the weewee pads and frequent shampooing, and I can't seem to get doggie diapers or wraps to fit right on them (they either fall off or hinder their movement). Does anyone have any suggestions on great products to use to clean urine stains and odors in carpet, or any supplements that will help deal with the incontinence?

BTW, they are already on taurine, Co-Q 10, Omega-3 and 6 oil capsules, glucosamine/chondritin/MSM, and L-Carnitine, plus Prescription K/D and H/D foods. Meds are Lasix, Enalapril, Cardizem (for blood pressure), and Torbutrol (for Barney's cough). I feel like I run a pharmacy out of my kitchen!

Thanks for any suggestions!!

Linda
Barney and Mynka, the cocker kids

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Well, your doing all you can with what they have going on and I know how tough it can be to find any type of diaper that will fit properly. They can't help it and you already know that so maybe just some cleanup suggestions from me.

Have you tried Natures Miracle and the Bissell Little Green Proheat to clean up with?

[DogMom623]

Thanks for your reply. I've tried Nature's Miracle (in the giant economy size), as well as other versions of pet-stain-and-odor removal products. Also tried baking soda, carpet deodorizing powder, and I've used both the little steamer you mentioned and the big Bissell ProHeat full-size steam cleaner, which I bought when I couldn't keep up with the little one!

All great ideas - and all in use. We're probably doing all we can, but it's frustrating for us, and also must be unconfortable and distressing for them. I keep hoping there is some solution out there that we just haven't thought of yet!

Linda
Barney and Mynka

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

So sorry Linda, thats about the best I can do but maybe someone else here has something in mind...you never know, we're a pretty good group!

I'm sure it is difficult for both the babies and so hard for them to understand why its going on. **HUGE hugs and kisses to Barney and Mynka**

[JackLover]

You can get hygine pants for dogs they are ment for a bitch in heat, what if you tryed on of theese and inserted a sanitary towel, the ones with the sticky backs as they stay in place better, chect them out ::Mod edit - please don't post links here. Your welcome to PM the link to the member.::

[elegy]

i had the best luck with bitch pants. i tried newborn baby diapers because i was told by someone that they worked well (just cut a hole for the tail) but because my little dog was so small and so skinny, i couldn't close them tightly enough that they'd stay on. (she was an 8# mini poodle)

i know what you mean about feeling like you're running a pharmacy out of your kitchen. i had a chf dog who was on lasix, spironolactone, benezapril, digoxin, co-q10, vitamin e, pepcid, and hycodan for cough. they're worth it though.

[DogMom623]

Thanks to all for the ideas and suggestions! I'm going to try the Nature's Miracle again, but one question - if I use it as the "cleaning fluid", can I use it in my steam cleaner, like I use the Bissell or Hoover-brand fluid now?

Linda

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by DogMom623

Thanks to all for the ideas and suggestions! I'm going to try the Nature's Miracle again, but one question - if I use it as the "cleaning fluid", can I use it in my steam cleaner, like I use the Bissell or Hoover-brand fluid now?

Linda

I use it in my Bissel all the time.

[DogMom623]

Great! I just didn't want to cause an explosion or something by putting some chemical in there that was apt to combust when heated or put under pressure! Ya never know!

Linda

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Just be sure to clean it out really good after each use, I've found that the solution tends to gum things up a bit after a few uses.