Old Great Dane; lost bowel control

[CJ Holmes]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do about my older dog's
apparent loss of bowel control? Maybe suggest medication, or a
technique (short of inserting a cork) that I could try?

My **WONDERFUL** Great Dane (fawn) is at least 8 years old. (He was
an adult when I rescued him from the pound, so I don't know how old he
really is; I've had him since '88.) He has begun pooping in the house
at night. I don't think he is even aware of it. He still lets me
know when he has to urinate, though. This dog was always extremely
conscientious about these things, so I don't think it's anything
psychological. Naturally, being that old, he's arthritic, so he's
having a hard time getting up and down.

The strangest part of it is, on the days I leave him confined to the
garage all day (gardener day), he never fouls his sleeping area. He
always manages to go to the concrete part of the garage to do his
business.

The last thing on earth I want to do is to put him down. He's still
eating fine, doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, and even horses
around occasionally with my younger Dane.

[Elaine Gallegos]

CJ Holmes (cjho...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
: He has begun pooping in the house
: at night.

He only does this at night? Seems to me that you can pick out a
sleeping area for him...say a porch, patio, balcony, or storage area.
Maybe even the garage.
I'd put down an old foam mattress with a thick plastic cover to ease his
heavy old bones. Give him some old blankets and he should be a happy
dog. Perhaps he runs around the house because he can't stay comfortable
for long periods on the floor.
Use a short piece of rope attached to his collar to secure him to his
sleeping area. He will get used to it in a few days. Chances are, he
won't foul his own bed. In case of accident, clean up will be very
easy. Pop the blankets into the washer, and hose off the bed.

[Jessmartin]

I would strongly discourage tying your dog on a "short piece of rope" to
keep him in his sleeping area. I know from sad experience that a dog can
easily hang himself, even when you are SURE it would be IMPOSSIBLE.

[Dina McCall]

On Mon, 29 Apr 1996, CJ Holmes wrote:

> Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do about my older dog's
> apparent loss of bowel control? Maybe suggest medication, or a
> technique (short of inserting a cork) that I could try?
>
> My **WONDERFUL** Great Dane (fawn) is at least 8 years old. (He was
> an adult when I rescued him from the pound, so I don't know how old he
> really is; I've had him since '88.) He has begun pooping in the house
> at night. I don't think he is even aware of it. He still lets me
> know when he has to urinate, though. This dog was always extremely
> conscientious about these things, so I don't think it's anything
> psychological. Naturally, being that old, he's arthritic, so he's
> having a hard time getting up and down.

I think the answer is in your last sentence. Our dog had arthritis (mind
you he was nearly 14). He was OK, and then he began pooping in the
house at any time when he had to struggle to his feet. It was the effort
of getting up that did it. The vet said the arthritis had now got into
his spine, and was affecting the bowel, so that it wasn't moving things
along as it used to, so there was a build up and when he had to make an
effort it just popped out.

As it was usually dry, this was not quite so bad and we tried to keep him
away from where he could hear anyone at the front door, because that was
when he did it. But he was an indoor dog, and was not happy left
outside. Eventually he began having the runs...and then it was
impossible to carry on. Sadly we lost him in March.

However - your dog may well be a lot younger and fitter...and maybe there
is something the vet can do for his arthritis. I hope so.

Dina> > >