MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
 |
| 10/16/2012 3:31 PM |
|
Bailey (4 yo) has been with us not quite two weeks yet. She is overall a very well behaved girl. However, she has been having pee accidents in her crate while we are gone at work. The first few days she did not do this, then she did it once or twice last week and now she is peeing on her blankets/towels daily. (monday when I came home on lucnh she was fine, but then when i came home at the end of the day she had peed on them. Tuesday when I came home at lunch and when I came home after work she had peed in the crate.)
I make sure to take her outside before I put her in the crate, so she has the opportunity to go.
She had a urinary infection when we got her, and she has taken her anti-biotics on schedule the past 10 days.
She is not tearing up bedding in the crate, or toys. Though she has chewed off one metal bar on the crate.
She gets a 20-30 min walk in the AM and a 40-60 minute walk/jog in the evenings.
I am assuming this is separation anxiety, but I have never dealt with it. She does not have accidents when in the house with us, but doesn't really let us know when she wants to go out either. We take her out when we wake up, before we leave, at lunch, when we get home, after she eats dinner, and before we go to bed.
Any advice from all you seasoned dog owners out there is much appreciated. |
|
|
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
|
| 10/16/2012 4:33 PM |
|
The peeing in her crate could be the tail end of her UTI and just regulating her body again. It could very well also be separation anxiety. Is she vocal in her crate when you leave? She could be working herself up if so. The couple of times Bella had crate accidents which were not due to inability to wait, or failure to let her out, was due to extreme anxiety because we were on vacation (her first trip) and we left her crated in an unfamiliar house. She was yelping and crying when we got back (about an hour and a half later) and must have been the whole time. Bless her. This may improve in and of itself with time (one for the UTI, and two for her to grow more trust in you and that you will return). You may want to limit water intake in the mornings, and at lunch. Also, dogs often don't fully empty their bladders (she may even be going quickly to appease you if she knows you are going to be leaving...she wants to get back inside to you). Make sure she goes a couple of times and this may help. We taught Bella to go on command which has been very useful for the times I know she is letting just enough out to get back inside. I send her back to her spot again and she goes fully. Also, make sure you are washing her bedding fully and use an urine eliminating spray that you can get at about any pet or feed store. The smell of their own urine can prompt them to go again.
Bella was very destructive in her crate. She now has free reign of the house, and to our surprise does much better. I think that was a mixture of anxiety and boredom. One thing that seemed to help a little was leaving the TV or a radio on so she was not in complete silence. But, ultimately...she always took her boredom out on her bedding. When I go back to work after my off seasons it takes Bella about two or three weeks to fully get used to it and for her anxiety to subside.
Another idea is to try having a training session during your lunch break. The mental stimulation might help her settle a little more in her crate. Also, don't make a fuss over leaving. You can put her in about 10 minutes before you go. Let her see you still moving around the house, but don't make any eye contact or talk to her while she's crated. That way she isn't just being put in and you leaving immediately. She has time to accept what is about to happen. When you return. Without fuss take her out and outside. Once she goes potty and comes back in, treat the potty outting (so she doesn't associate it with leaving her kennel) and then make all the fuss you want. You just want going in and coming out of the kennel to be as fuss free as possible. We also required Bella to be calm in the kennel before being allowed out, so she was was to remain in her lay position...I would tell her to "wait" and open the door, and release her once the door was open a few moments and she remained calm.
GOOD LUCK |
|
|
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
|
| 10/16/2012 4:35 PM |
|
| Oh, and by free reign of the house...I mean...we shut all the doors to the extra rooms and basement, so she has free movement in the living room, dining room, and kitchen only. For the most part...she lays on the back of the couch in front of the big window waiting for us and watching birds at the feeder. I've noticed now on my days off...she sleeps all day. So it is now what she is used to. When I'm off...we go go go all day. |
|
|
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
|
| 10/16/2012 4:35 PM |
|
| Oh, and by free reign of the house...I mean...we shut all the doors to the extra rooms and basement, so she has free movement in the living room, dining room, and kitchen only. For the most part...she lays on the back of the couch in front of the big window waiting for us and watching birds at the feeder. I've noticed now on my days off...she sleeps all day. So it is now what she is used to. When I'm off...we go go go all day. |
|
|
|
|
Jena
SH
Posts:58
|
| 10/16/2012 4:39 PM |
|
I agree with Bella's momma. I am not a seasoned dog owner, I just know what has worked for us. Her issue could be that the antibiotics are not working for her and she still has some infection. For Stella, we brought her home at 8 weeks. Of course I felt terrible leaving her in the crate without a blanket. So for about a week or two I washed blankets constantly. I decided to take her blankets out and once I did she never peed in her crate again. That may be an option too. Worth trying. Stick with it - she will get into a routine soon! Good luck  |
|
|
|
|
MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
|
| 10/16/2012 7:44 PM |
|
Bailey is not vocal in the crate until about 5-10 minutes after when she realizes I have left. (I pretended to leave and listened to what she does) She quiets down after about 10 minutes and settles in. She is happy to see me when I get back, wiggling her whole body until I get the collar on and lead her outside.
We have a follow-up with the vet to see if we beat the urinary infection, so hopefully we can rule that out soon. I am hoping she will settle in and the accidents will stop over time. I know that as an adopted dog, separation anxiety is a possibility. We have 2 Kongs in the crate and a squeaky ball she likes. I will try the putting her in the crate 10 minutes before I leave and see if that helps.
THANKS |
|
|
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
|
| 10/16/2012 7:57 PM |
|
| Separation anxiety is a possibility with any dog. Particularly GSPs, in my opinion, due to their loyal and sensitive nature. So don't fret, I don't think it's anything you're doing wrong. I think she just needs time. She is adjusting to a lot. Really awesome of you to have taken her in and being doing all you can to do right by her and make the new situation work best for everyone. Hoping for the best for you. |
|
|
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3136
|
| 10/17/2012 7:35 AM |
|
| I would rule out the urinary track infection... but seeing hwo she did chew a bar of the cage it is possible it is SA... I helped a friend who had a dog with SA and I thought the dog was peeing in the cage until I video taped her when I left and saw that she was drooling and salivating that much! |
|
 |
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
|
| 10/17/2012 10:44 AM |
|
| That is so true...B used to leave pee sized drool puddles. If it smells like next to nothing it is drool, but you will obviously know if it is urine by smell. |
|
|
|
|
MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
|
| 10/17/2012 5:16 PM |
|
oh it is definitely urine! I am washing her bedding every day! She had a bath sunday and already needs another from laying on the pee soaked bedding.
Vet appointment Saturday.... We'll see what the good doc says.
I have to remind myself she has not even been here 2 weeks, and needs to settle in to her new routine. |
|
|
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:999
|
| 10/17/2012 5:40 PM |
|
Posted By MeganD on 10/17/2012 5:16 PM
I have to remind myself she has not even been here 2 weeks, and needs to settle in to her new routine.
Great thought - I really think she is likely still fighting the UTI, I have heard of so many people's dogs have to go through several courses of antibiotics in order to clear the infection.
Also she's an adult dog who is only with you two weeks. Not sure what her previous situation was but its a whole new world for her. I am so appreciative of you and your family taking her in and hope that in the weeks ahead she settles and you get to see what she's like once she realizes you are her very own humans |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
|
| 10/17/2012 6:35 PM |
|
I am really starting to think it could be the UTI she is still battling. She had to pee multiple times on our jog this evening.
Other than the peeing in the crate and lunging after squirrels on walks, she really is a great dog. She is learning her new name quickly and we are working on heel, sit, down, and stay (this is hard for her...)
I am so glad we found her and got her out of rescue. She had been through one foster, but then they didn't have a new foster for her so she was being boarded at a kennel for maybe a month or so. I was surprised there wasn't more interest in her, as she is beautiful and purebred, so maybe we were meant to go get her.
I'll give an update on her after our vet appt. on Saturday. Good thing she takes pills so well, b/c if the UTI is still giving her trouble, we'll be on another round of pills. We just put them in her food, and she scarfs it down so fast she doesn't even try to eat around them. |
|
|
|
|
everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3166
|
| 10/18/2012 6:07 AM |
|
| When we brought Raz home, she had just had a litter and was in a totally new environment. She had to figure out how to tell us when she needed to go for a pee, so there were many, many accidents the first few weeks. It was our fault too, since we had gotten used to Bo banging the door down when he needs to go out. Rule out all medical issues, and then give yourselves both a break -- you will get it sorted out soon. |
|
Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
|
|
DLord
Holly Springs, NC
MH
Posts:89
|
| 10/18/2012 7:53 AM |
|
MeganD, I don't know what you are giving her for her UTI, but when Zoe was a pup she had a UTI that took a long time to clear up. I was using two vets at the time, one is mobile and not as easily accessible as the one across town. I took her to the one across town and she put her on Clavamox 125 mg every 12 hours. She stayed on the Clavamox for a month and it still did not clear up. So I called my mobile vet and he came out and had a look at her and put her on Amoxicillin 100 mg every other day, within a week it cleared up. I can't remember exactly what he told me about the Clavamox but he wasn't a big fan of it and the good thing was the Amoxicillin was a lot cheaper!
Hope it gets better soon! |
|
|
|
|
MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
|
| 10/18/2012 7:44 PM |
|
DLord,
Bailey was on Clavamox 375 2 times a day with meals. If it has not cleared up, I am sure the vet will try something else.
|
|
|
|
|
MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
|
| 10/20/2012 2:24 PM |
|
Update: Went to the vet today. No obvious bacteria in the urine, so they are doing a culture on it. UTI may be ruled out. However, the urine concentration was 1.007 (should be 1.03 or higher...) So we are having bloodwork done to rule out kidney issues or possible Diabetes Insipidus. Really hoping that is not the case, but it would certainly explain a lot.
|
|
|
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:999
|
| 10/20/2012 2:31 PM |
|
| Just to let you know, they told us that Bugsy's concentration was low but he had no other signs and it just turned out he drank a lot so his urine was dilute, keep us posted |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
MeganD
Royal Oak, Michigan
JH
Posts:35
|
| 10/20/2012 4:02 PM |
|
kpwlee, The vet also mentioned it might be "psychogenic polydipsia" which means for some psychological reason, she wants to drink a lot of water. She does make it through the night with no accidents, so I don't know if it is the Diabetes Insipidus...
Guess we will just wait and see what the urine culture and the bloodwork says... |
|
|
|
|
kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:999
|
| 10/20/2012 6:54 PM |
|
I'm no expert but I don't tend to rush to any severe conclusions quickly. A sick dog generally presents as sick, if she's running with you and fine, decent coat & appetite it isn't likely to be a serious condition. Only an opinion of course.
With Bugsy I don't even recall why they did the urine test but they always say how great his coat & condition are so I wasn't worried about the urine.
She obviously has something going on, may be spay incontinence (have you asked about how she was at the other foster's?), females can get vaginitis, or as I said before it could be a super resistant uti.
Whatever it is, I hope it clears soon for her and for you. I do recommend that you keep a rational head as the vets talk and guess. Even the best vets can sometimes stretch to some tenuous conclusions.
My guess is that it is something fairly simple
May be she had limited access to water at the kennel so is drinking like a fool. A friends pup had to have water rationed until she was about 9 mos old because she was insane for it. |
|
It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1197
|
| 10/20/2012 7:09 PM |
|
| I honestly just think your pup needs time to adjust to things. Was she kenneled before or is this the first time? Do you know much about her history? When was she spayed? If it was recently, it could be spay incontinence (as mentioned). This may be her first time ever having any kind of structure. You mentioned she does get vocal in her crate after realizing you are gone. She may be working herself up to the accidents. If they tested her urine, wouldn't they have already been able to see if there was any glucose in the urine to have an idea about diabetes without running another test? I may just be cynical because I feel like the last clinic I went to with my former cat brought on her quick demise with their tests and their attempted solutions and their guesses...but, I think you may just need a little time. Hopefully... and that it is nothing greater. |
|
|
|
|