My dog is 10 years old, and bit overweight, and has trouble walking. She also has a film over her eyes and may be partially blind. She recently has been drinking her normal amount of water, but her food intake has decreased. She also has been urinating in the house the past few days uncontrollably. I am taking her to vet as soon as I can. Until then [it could be 1-2 days until I can] what can I do to help her?
Thank you so much.

As for the film, dogs get cataracts as well as humans and I guess she has a weak bladder from her age. You don't say what kind of dog she is, big or small? You could buy her a doggy diaper; they work quite well but have to be washed out. That was never a problem for me. I guess the vet will read you the riot act about her weight and depending on what type of dog she is, l0 years is not over the hill yet.

I can't give you any advice IJ. The problems she is having can only be managed by you because you are there with her. The fact that she is drinking is good but maybe you should take up her water at night (after she has her night time pee).

Tick

I generally agree with tick with an addition. IJ, you really need to get your dog to the vet asap. The fact that she is suddenly unable to control her bladder and her food intake has decreased means something medical is going on. It could be that she is simply suffering from a urinary tract infection which is easily cleared up with medication. But, there could be something else going on. In either case, she is experiencing discomfort and the quicker you get her to the vet, the better it will be for you both. Please don't delay this.

If you can't ger her to a vet asap, keep her hydrated, dogs can live without food for awhile, but cannot live without water very long. Keep her comfortable and try and keep her activity level to a minimum. Get her to a vet ASAP.

Thank you all for answering! And yes of course I made an appointment at the vet right away as soon as I could possibly take her. I couldn't tomorrow because my family member who is taking her has to go to help my family with surgery for 2 days but I talked to her vet and got a lot of information, and I gave her a bath so she is clean, and cut her nails so she can walk easier. But very soon she will has her wellness check and they will do bloodwork etc. and also check about her urine and her eating habits. She has eaten though recently I was just concerned because it changed a little. But I always do and am taking great care of her and the vet is very good so I am just doing as much as I try to before she gets to the vet soon. Thank you for the diaper idea! I was actually even looking at that earlier. Do you know where they are sold?

Also, she is a golden mix. She is large and a bit overweight but they can help me with her diet. Thanks!

I don't know where you live but you can find them at any pet store. You might want to try the pet section in Walmart or Target.

Your girl is getting up there for a golden mix but she probably still has a number of good years left in her so please don't worry. I have a large breed that is getting older. I have noticed that when she puts on weight, she has a tendency to get UTIs. So, hopefully that is all you are dealing with and she might benefit from being put on a chow made especially for senior dogs so that she has the opportunity to regain her girlish figure. :)

Thanks, I'll try looking in my local pet store and if not I'll try a Target or a larger store that may supply them.

To get her to the car to take her to the vet she has to walk down a walkway and several stairs which I would have course help her walk. She does have trouble walking- which the vet will try and help her with, but I was wondering if anyone had ideas to get her to walk. She doesn't always want to get up and walk to get outside, so any suggestions to motivate her to walk down to the car would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like she has arthritis? The vet can give you medication for that as well.

Are there any treats that she really loves? My old girl goes crazy for plain cooked boneless chicken breast. So, when I ask her to do something special, I dice up the chicken into very small pieces so that I don't overfeed her. If your dog goes crazy for something like that, hold it in your hand, allow her to smell it, and hold out your hand (closed so she can't get to it until you are ready to give it to her). Encourage her follow you to the car by by keeping that hand under her nose. Treat her with a very small piece when she gets to the car. Treat her when she finally gets into the car, or throw the valued food into the car and encourage her to climb up there after it. Make sure you have a few pieces to use to get her into the vets office and back home in the same manner.

Thanks, I have some treats she eats which could work, I'll try fillet mignon pieces or chicken pieces too. And yes I think she has arthritis but this vet actually specializes in that so I am happy they can help with that, too. It seems severe so I think maybe I'll lead her out helping her walk with food, and let her rest a couple times, then comfort her and let her eat in the car. Would a basic plank of wood work as a ramp to get her from the ground to the car, because she cannot get there by jumping.

Sure. If you have a piece of wood that is wide enough and sturdy enough to hold her weight, that would work perfectly.

Thanks, I have some treats she eats which could work, I'll try fillet mignon pieces or chicken pieces too. And yes I think she has arthritis but this vet actually specializes in that so I am happy they can help with that, too. It seems severe so I think maybe I'll lead her out helping her walk with food, and let her rest a couple times, then comfort her and let her eat in the car. Would a basic plank of wood work as a ramp to get her from the ground to the car, because she cannot get there by jumping.

If you can, take the piece of wood you want to use a ramp and let her walk on it while it is flat.

You want to make sure it is sturdy and wide enough that she feels safe walking on it. Also that it isn't at a steep angle and that she can get her footing on it. You might want to think about putting 1"x2" strips across it (like the ramps on dog agility courses or boat gang planks).

Can you give her a ramp down the stairs?

Yes I could use the same ramp for the stairs as well and help her, I'll just have to make sure that she will be willing to walk that much in a period so I'll help her a lot.
And I finally can get her to a vet by tomorrow so I'm happy for her.

Yes I could use the same ramp for the stairs as well and help her, I'll just have to make sure that she will be willing to walk that much in a period of time so I'll help her a lot.
And I finally can get her to a vet by tomorrow so I'm happy for her.

Go at her pace and be patient. Hopefully, she will surprise you and learn a new trick with few problems.

I hope the visit goes well and they can give her some relief.

I hope you will keep us updated. :)

Besides making sure she eats more tonight, and a full meal tomorrow night, and letting her drink water, and letting her outside and making sure she goes to the bathroom, and of course giving her attention, what else can I do to help her before her appointment tomorrow?

She actually can't get up right now to go outside, so I tried to help her up so I guess I'll try to attract her to keep trying with food while gently trying to lift her.
I wonder if tomorrow I could get a stretcher or something like it which would be much easier than having her walk. Is there a way I can make one? Thanks everyone!

She can't get up right now. But she is sitting in a way [she normally sits like this] where one leg is under her, but I think that is also making it harder for her to try to stand up. She urinated on herself again, but won't get up to go outside for the bathroom.
Will she be okay urinating on herself [if and only if I can't get her to go outside] on a blanket until tomorrow night around 5 o clock when I can bring her to the vet?
Tomorrow since she can't get up, I'm going to put a whole bed comforter under her carefully putting it under one body part at a time. Then I'll slowly move her and the comforter outside and down the planks [ramps] of wood on stairs and then my mother and I can pick her and the comforter up and place her in the car with me. Then once we reach the vet, the people there can help us bring her in.
My main questions are:
1. Will she be okay going to the bathroom on herself until 5 o clock tomorrow since she is having trouble standing up and moving.
2. What can I do to keep trying to let her stand up to go outside for the bathroom?

Thank you very much!

If your dog has arithritis and is overweight.. more then likely that is why she is having such a hard time.

Do you feed any type of glucos pills? You can buy a big jug of them at Sams Club..

I also heard wonderful stories about feeding elk horn. One story came from my horse guy.. His dog was locked up tight in the joints. He fed her Elk horn and in 2 weeks a huge difference.

You can also purchase "Sea-Mobility".. It is a high concentrated jerky treat that is full of good stuff for joints.

She may have a pinched nerve in her back. Its painful for her to walk around. I had a dog pee all over herself many times before she went to the vet over christmas ;)... Got to the vet.. they poked around on her, kept her over night.. sent her home with a pat on the head.. She must have unkinked herself.

Quiet honestly, I wouldn't make her move until its time to go see the Doc. If she is injured, making her go outside every hour may make it worse. Just let her rest.

Dogs in pain will drink lots of water. It's their way of hiding the pain. Dogs that are nervous will "redirect" and drink water for no reason. To prevent discomfort, maybe stop letting her drink lots of water. Give her ice chunks to lick.

Pick her up to load her in the car. If she has back problems, any type of walking will make it hurt.. You might also want to hold an ice pack on her hip/back area since that seems to be where it hurts.

Keep her quiet... Don't get her excited.. And don't allow her to be uncomfortable by allowing her to drink water uncontrollably. Keep her hydrated by giving her pedialite and ice cubes. I'd give you some Rimadyl if you lived down the street ;) Unfortunately there is no human asprin that will help her out.

Good luck

Thanks for the suggestions!
I hope that she is not having trouble with her kidneys.
She has been drinking reguarily right now.
I'll just make sure she's very comfortable and that I'm very careful moving her.

If she were having kidney problems, she shouldn't be urinating as much as you say she is. If she can't move.. Its something to do with either her hips or back..

She is drinking water still and I think has peed since last night but I'm not sure, and I'm going to try feeding her now by mixing in some cooked scrambled egg in the food which she loves, but only a little- I mean cooked eggs are good for dogs, but she already had a little yesterday. And I got a vet appointment and I can bring her there in almost 3 hours.

Actually the eggs are bad. What other food could I put a little of in her regular food to help her eat?
Thanks so much.

You could try cooked hamburger and rice, maybe some bacon, vegetables, anything she likes.

She is drinking water still and I think has peed since last night but I'm not sure, and I'm going to try feeding her now by mixing in some cooked scrambled egg in the food which she loves, but only a little- I mean cooked eggs are good for dogs, but she already had a little yesterday. And I got a vet appointment and I can bring her there in almost 3 hours.

When was the last time she had a bowel movement (pooped)? If she isn't wanting to move, I wouldn't worry about feeding her until after the vet visit. If she hasn't gone for awhile, there could be pressure on a sensitive spot from her intestines causing her to not want to move.

Let the vet determine what to feed her and how much and then we can go from there.

I talked to them a little while ago. She just has 3 more hours. She's sitting outside in the shade right now. She is drinking water, and just ate some of her food, I put a couple little corners of her favorite treat in the food, and she ate the regular food, too. The vet can try to help her later which I am very happy I found them, because I called about 10 vets this morning, some couldn't take her because of their hours, some because they didn't have a opening at that time, and some were closed, etc. But this vet is very good so I am happy. She actually got up and moved to another part of the yard, which in a way is good, because she can move. But when I take her to the car my mother and I will gently, very slowly carry her low to the ground on a comforter, and the drive to the vet is only 11 minutes away.
Thank you all for trying to help!

Actually the eggs are bad. What other food could I put a little of in her regular food to help her eat?
Thanks so much.

IJ, you are worrying far too much which generates some bad decisions because you are anxious to make your dog comfortable. Cat is correct, don't push the food; dogs can go without food for a while and in your dog's case, probably till after the vet makes a decision.

However, I am anxious to hear what the vet declares about your dog's care and the diagnosis.

Good luck my dear

Tick

Thank you for your input. I am actually relaxed, and was trying to help because she went at least 3 days with no food while I wasn't here [someone was] because she didn't eat. And she ate yesterday, and recently today. But I understand that worrying won't help a situation I know, but I am relaxed, just being cautious of what I do, and how she is. I am trying to make her very comfortable, since she has peed, eaten, and is drinking water, because she is outside, and probably will be for 2 hours, so I'm giving her attention and comfort.

I cleaned up her pee last night with a towel, and I couldn't find any of her towels, so I used one of mine. How can I wash it so it cleans it extremely well. My mother gave me some advice, but told me since it's dark green not to use bleach.
Thank you all.

I cleaned up her pee last night with a towel, and I couldn't find any of her towels, so I used one of mine. How can I wash it so it cleans it extremely well. My mother gave me some advice, but told me since it's dark green not to use bleach.
Thank you all.

I am afraid even pinesol will not disinfect that towel, IJ, so you had better keep it as one of her towels from now on.

Tick

Thanks for that information, I'll try to talk to my mom, to figure out what to do. Also she moved again so she walked again in the yard.

I am washing it with 2 small washclothes that had egg on them, and I'll wash it a second time alone after this. It's in hot water, and on regular wash on medium with detergent. Hopefully this will work, and after I wash it a second time.

Right now she is sitting outside with her head resting on a small step and I'm going to try to make her as comfortable as I can. What else can I do to help her. My mom will be here in 1 hour and then we will put the comforter under her and bring her to the car and to the vet.
Please give me any advice or tips!
Thank you so much!

I am washing it with 2 small washclothes that had egg on them, and I'll wash it a second time alone after this. It's in hot water, and on regular wash on medium with detergent. Hopefully this will work, and after I wash it a second time.

When one of my dogs has an accident and I have to use one of my towels I just throw in some vinegar. Wash it with just water and vinegar the first wash, and then a second wash with regular detergent. :)

I have a 15 year old lab cross that has the same issues as your dog. With him there are no medical issues, it's just old age. He doesn't lose bladder control normally, but he will pee on himself when he can't get up, which is happening more and more.

He has trouble getting up from a laying down position and going up stairs. I made a little harness for him. It's an old towel that I place under his belly, closer to the back end and that way I can help him get up by lifting his hind quarters. His main problem is with his back legs, so this works with him. If your dog has problems with all four legs just place the towel under the stomach, middle of the stomach, so that the weight is evenly distributed, that way you can lift her so she can get her feet under her. Just hold onto the towel until she's steady. :)

I hope she's okay. This is the sad part of dog ownership, they do get older, and their needs change. She can still have many good years ahead of her with the proper medication, supplements, and care.

We love pictures. Hint, hint. :)

Thank you so much for telling me that. I'm glad your dog is not sick! Thank you for that tip as well, she has trouble with her back legs and/or hips because she can sit up and lie down but not fully get up [at least in the last 24 hours]- usually she can walk around but has trouble, but lately it got worse. I hope the vet can help her with that. The towel is almost done washing already, but maybe the second time I'll try a little vinegar. 45 minutes! She is laying outside still resting her head on one of my old shirts and I'm comforting her and giving her attention. Then we'll help her onto a comforter and to the car. But I was surprised she got up and walked to a different part of the yard 3 times, because I haven't seen her get up really in the past 24 hours. Thanks again for the tips!

No problem.

Please let us know what the vet says. We tend to worry.

Also, again, pictures, hint, hint, hint. ;) ;)

I actually don't know how to put a picture up, it looks like I can only insert an image from the internet, but also I don't know if I will. I'm going to go help her now, and my mom will be here in about half an hour which is great! And sure I think the vet is going to do a check-up, check her urine, and maybe bloodwork and shots but I am not sure about those. Is it okay to very slowly put her on the comforter from the ground, not lifting her, but placing body part at a time onto it and then carrying her slowly and carefully low to the ground to the car? Also, how can I cool her down a little, maybe a little ice? Just because it's humid out.
Thanks so much!

If she can't walk to the car than carrying her out on the comforter is fine. I would try the towel under the hips first, see if she can walk by herself. That may be a little less scary for her. But, if the comforter is the only way, try lifting her up a little and sliding it under her.

Is she not supposed to drink anything? Is that why you're asking about the ice? If she's not supposed to drink because of the tests that the doctor is running, than you can always spray her with a bit of water, just to cool her down.

If it's only an 11 minute ride to the vet, I would just get her there and let the vet decide what to do, just to be on the safe side.

Good luck. :)

She has been drinking today. I meant to cool her down physically from the humid weather, because I noticed she was breathing a little heavily. I wrapped three different ice cubes in paper towel and placed one on her head which I am holding one on her upper back/neck and one on her body which seemed to help cool her down. And yes, she can't walk but I'll use an old shirt to gently lift a part of her up and be very careful and then slowly carry her with my mother. How do you put a picture up?

He has trouble getting up from a laying down position and going up stairs. I made a little harness for him. It's an old towel that I place under his belly, closer to the back end and that way I can help him get up by lifting his hind quarters.

)

Yes, that's how my vet moves dogs around outside. I remember her helping Taffy that way after surgery. Good suggestion.

He may find that more comfortable then the 'carrying' idea. It makes him remain independent with his front quarter.

Tick

Step by step instructions on how to post a picture;

1. Click the "Go advanced" button at the bottom of the post window.

2. Click the paper clip symbol.

3. Click browse and look for the picture you want to post.

4. Double click your picture and then click the "upload" button.

5. When the picture uploads close the "Manage attachments" window.

6. Once again click the paper clip symbol.

7. click the gif file.

8. Post. :)

The upload keeps failing but I can try later depending if I want to, but I'll try to let you all know how it goes. Leaving in about 3 minutes so I have to start putting her on the comforter. Thank you all for helping me today I really appreciate how much you all care. Bye, wish us luck.