Senior poodle on diuretics with loss of bladder control...

[Mochadelicious]

I have a 16 year old miniature poodle that can't seem to hold his bladder anymore while I'm at work.  A couple years ago, he was diagnosed with heart problems and he now takes diuretics to help keep fluid from building up around his heart.  Unfortunately, this also causes him to be thirsty all the time and he drinks a lot.  Obviously this is probably the problem with his bladder control, but I don't know how to fix it.  It has pretty much become a daily problem and I'm so tired of having to clean up puddles when I get home.  He has full run of the house because he never used to have a problem, but now I'm thinking about crating him or using puppy pads.  I'm concerned that puppy pads will encourage him to go indoors even more?  I work part-time so I'm only gone from the house for about 7 hours total per day.  Any thoughts?

[Ghilly]

The first thing I thought of was belly bands as well!  These are just the greatest invention, it will make your life SO much easier!

Ghilly

[Mochadelicious]

Thank you!  I will look into getting some.  

[LoveMyBostons]

I had never heard of them before either. I HIGHLY recommend them! My dog didn't mind wearing them. I think he knew they were helping, honestly. Plus he didn't have to lie on wet bedding until I got home to wash it.

They are washable. You just throw away the disposable pad inside. They sell pads specifically made for them but I found that the Poise pads worked great. I would put 2 side-by-side and sometimes there was leakage onto the belly band. I bought 2 and swapped them out if/when I had to wash them.

Seriously, they're going to save your sanity. I don't know if puppy pads would even work because when he has to go, he'll just go. It's not his fault, but you know that :)

Good luck!

[Mochadelicious]

I have never heard of these before and had to look them up to see what they are.  I had no idea they made such a thing.  Did your dog try to bite at it?  I'm not sure if mine will tolerate it, but I'm desperate and will try just about anything at this point.  I was tempted to try the puppy pads, but I'm not sure I could teach an old dog a new trick...so these belly bands sound promising.  Are they disposable or made of a washable material?

I may also call the vet and ask if there is any other alternative medication we could give him instead of the diuretic.  Thanks again!

[LoveMyBostons]

Get him some belly bands!! They saved my sanity when my dog was going through the same thing. I ordered mine online from Foster & Smith. Make sure you get the kind with elastic on the sides. The homemade ones didn't work as well for us. Put a human incontinence pad inside (like a Poise pad). I swear this will save your sanity. I know what it's like to have to mop and wash bedding every day. My vet said they could be worn for 4 hours at a time between changings (to prevent irritation) but sometimes we had to leave it on longer, depending on the day. Good luck!!