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Leaking urine

Sent to Pet Experts July 22 12:00 AM

I have a chocolate labrador retriever that is only 3 years old and has started having leaking urine. This seems to happen only when she is relaxed and comes in sporadic instances. She has had this problem off and on for a couple of months now. It also seems that she does not know that she is doing it, because she just lays there and doesn't seem to get up when it occurs. She has no behavioral problems and otherwise always goes to the door when she needs to be let out to go to the bathroom. She is very healthy and active and is at a very desirable weight. We are not sure what is causing this.

I have read online that it may be due to getting spayed too early, but she was over a year old when she was spayed. However, the vet spayed her when she was actually in heat and her vagina was swollen. Since then, her vagina has not went down and still looks alittle swollen, but the vet said that was normal since she was in heat when she was spayed. I am not sure if that has anything to do with the leaking urine, but I wanted to give all the information possible.

Please help because we are very worried but don't have a lot of money to go to the vet.

Thanks!
Katie

 

Optional Information:
Age: 3; Female; Breed: Chocolate labrador

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $30
Answer
July 22 12:04 AM (3 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Sometimes, their urinary sphincter muscles don't work as well as they should, especially in this breed and with the spay history that you mention. If this is the case, there are medications that can help to improve sphincter tone. You should talk with your vet about them.

Also, urinary incontinance can be a sign of a disc or back problem so you will want to have this checked by the vet as well.

My last thought is that she has a urinary tract infection or or urinary stones that might be causing a blockage.

No matter what, you need to see the vet about it. You don't want to take any chances as a pet ages.

If finances are a problem for you (because you stated that you want to avoid a vet), you might want to look into www.carecredit.com. They offer financing for large and small vet bills.

Let me know if you still have questions.

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Tammy F. -- Pet Care Expert -- 99% Positive Feedback on 5067 Pet Accepts
15+ years-Pet care, Veterinary shelter medicine and infectious disease, Behavior training, Rescue
Reply
July 22 12:10 AM (5 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: You said that disc or back problems may be too blame. She was hit by a car a year and a half ago and broke her leg in 8 places. Since then, we have had to go through two surgeries to save the leg with a plate. She hasn't had any problems since then but I was wondering if the weight on that leg was hinging on a disc in her spine and causing something like this to happen. Is that possible?

Also, her urine when she goes outside is a very distinguished yellow, but when she goes in the house is it almost completely clear... which tells me that it is very watered down when she is having these problems. Do you know why that may be?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 22 12:11 AM (1 minute and 44 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

It's definitely possible that the trauma is an underlying cause.

I can't speak about the color of the urine. You would need a urinalysis (not very expensive) to determine if there is a urinary issue going on.

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Tammy F. -- Pet Care Expert -- 99% Positive Feedback on 5067 Pet Accepts
15+ years-Pet care, Veterinary shelter medicine and infectious disease, Behavior training, Rescue
Reply
July 22 12:16 AM (4 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: Is this something that can wait to see if it keeps occuring or does she need to go to the vet right away. I am worried that it could be kidney problems or diabetes or hormone problem. Also, do you know a ball park on how much this might cost?

If she does need to see a vet right away, can it wait until next week or do I need to bring her in tomorrow?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 22 12:19 AM (3 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

I would go ahead and take her on Monday. Many problems are tougher to treat (and more expensive) the longer you wait.

Average vet visit - about $45 in my area then bloodwork/urinalysis varies, depending on the vet.

1 Other Expert Agrees with this!
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Tammy F. -- Pet Care Expert -- 99% Positive Feedback on 5067 Pet Accepts
15+ years-Pet care, Veterinary shelter medicine and infectious disease, Behavior training, Rescue
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