Peeing in the house

[sosue]

My 18yr old terrier/poodle ( female ) has had a few accidents in the house lately. She is blind and partially deaf but can seem to find her way around the house. She lets me know by a whine/bark that she needs to go outside to do her business. She has been eating well, drinks quite a bit and sleeps quite a bit (which she has been doing since her eyesight lessened several years ago. She has just seemed a bit unsettled since this peeing in the house started. I know she is elderly and that some things may seem inevitable. I was wondering if this could be a bladder infection or kidney trouble?

[sosue]

Absolutely I will!

[Ghilly]

It wouldn't hurt to take the little one to the vet to have her checked out just to be sure it's not a bladder infection.  At her very advanced age it's entirely possible that her immune system is weak enough that she picked one up.

I am thinking more along the lines, though, of it could just be her age and senility catching up wtih her.  Dogs are just like people.  As they age, they develop little quirks and habits that they never would have dreamed of doing as a youngster.  It could be that she just isn't able to hold it like she used to, and the unsettled thing could be that she KNOWS that she should do it outside, she just can't tell you quickly enough for you to get her there.

As long as the vet gives her a clean bill of health with regard to her bladder and kidneys, have patience with her.  I know it's a pain in the neck to constantly have to clean up after her, but she has been a loving, loyal girl to you for all these 18 years and she's worth it.  You have been fortunate to have her as long as you have, and you won't regret cutting her a wide berth when it comes to being patient with her.

Please come back and let us know what the vet says about her.  

Ghilly