[lJ.]

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.

[tickle]

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

[Just_Another_Lemming]

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.

[Emily94]

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.

[lJ.]

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?

[lJ.]

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

[Just_Another_Lemming]

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. :)

[lJ.]

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.

[lJ.]

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.

[Just_Another_Lemming]

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.

[lJ.]

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.

[Just_Another_Lemming]

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

[Cat1864]

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?

[lJ.]

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.

[Cat1864]

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. :)

[lJ.]

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?

[lJ.]

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!

[lJ.]

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!

[Lucky098]

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

[lJ.]

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.