Monday, February 15, 2010

Help - my paralyzed dog is urinating everywhere!

Taking care of a paralyzed or neurologically-impaired dog can be difficult, especially when it comes to urine! I have learned many tricks from my clients. But, I'm getting firsthand experience in a way I have never have before in dealing with my own dog! My oldest dog, Tucker, is now 12 years-old and his backend neurological function is decreasing.

I recently discovered a nice trick that really helps decrease the amount of laundry you have to do! Wherever you have your dog lying down (preferably on a dog bed, covered with layers of towels or blankets for extra padding), put a shower curtain liner over the top of the blankets or towels. It is water proof, costs only about $2, and it will save you on all of the laundry! I placed a couple of incontinence pads on top of the liner and underneath my dog's backend to catch the urine. But, as you know, dogs usually move around a bit and having the shower curtain liner on top of the dog bed and blankets prevented the urine from reaching them! I went from washing several loads of towels each day to not washing any!!!

Male urine wraps are great for dogs that leak a lot. But, don't leave them on around the clock. Urine that remains on the skin will cause urine scalding (burns the skin) and the skin needs regular air. Don't learn the hard way -- urinary tract infections and hot spots (skin infections) can quickly develop and be both painful and difficult to deal with! So, remember to keep the skin clean (mild soap and water) and dry to prevent these infections. Use the wrap primarily when walking the dog through the house (to prevent dribbles all over your floor).

Hope these tips help some dog owners out there! Keep up the great work -- your dog appreciates it!