Davy wetting the bed?!?!?

[Linn]

I'm worried about Davy. Last night was the 2nd night in a week that he wet the bed ... my bed! It's not that he's soaked the sheets, but he "leaks" enough to dampen a pretty large area of down comforter and the sheets underneath.

He does have a bit of a background in this area. The first time he wet himself was when I went to pick him up from being neutered. His underside was all wet, and the vet tech told me that rather than stand up to pee when he was coming out of anesthesia, he just went to the bathroom laying down. She didn't seem to think it was a big deal though.

Then, for about a week last summer, I noticed Davy leaking pee while he was napping. I realized that we were coming home from long hikes and swimming, Davy was drinking a ton of water and immediately passing out, then going to the bathroom in his sleep a little bit. I thought of him as an over-tired kid, and I just started making sure he went to the bathroom before falling asleep, and the leaking stopped.

Now, at just over 1 year old, he doesn't always go to the bathroom before bed, so I think that might be the problem. I always give him the option, but lots of times he just looks at me like "Nah, I don't have to go" and it's so darn cold that I just let him back inside. I'm now going to make sure that he uses the bathroom before bed, and I really think that will solve the problem, but I'm still concerned that rather than wake me to let him out, or even stand up to pee on the floor, he's peeing in his sleep.

Have any of you heard of this before? I know I should go to the vet, but I'm so scared it's going to end up being an expensive ordeal. Any other advice??

Thanks so much for any help.
Linn

[MaxandMe]

LINN for a PEACE of mind and also to rule out a UTI (urinary tract infection) Catch a urine sample say with a jar or pie tin
bring to vet's. This way you save $$ and if he has one, they'll give you antibiotics and no vet visit cost.

Also do you take up all water say about 2hours before bedtime? and maybe have a routine in future to bring him out
right after he wakes up from any nap regardless of length and ALSO a quick potty walk before you all head to bed.

OH........do you give cranberry tablets? they really can help and dogs can't overdose on them.

[Chucker]

I had this happen with Layla for some time after she was spayed, and still from time to time. I've never heard of it in a male dog tho.
I agree that it's probably best to check a urine sample with the vet.
I also found letting Layla out before bed or after a very tiring day helped alot.

Good luck

[tuffystar]

I agree about peace of mind. I do have to say my mom had a little dog that just hated to pee outside. When that dog stayed at my house I spent hours following it around making sure it really peed. That dog would go behind a bush and then run to the door. I fell for that once or twice then caught on and followed that darn dog everywhere!!! It took a month or so to break her of that but I did. However I have to say I would check out that it is not a physical thing first. Good luck!

[Beardedlady]

Lucy has had some "leaking pee" issues. It is infrequent but usually happens when she is really worn out from exercise and has had a good drink. Had her checked out for UTI and kidney problems but all was OK. Sometimes the muscle to hold in the the pee can be weak. Not much can be done about it other than try to make sure she is allowed to go as often as she wants as well as asking her to go before she is left alone. (Lucy will pee on request) I would at least rule out the UTI with your vet. Wouldn't want to let that go. Hope you find some answers.

[Linn]

THanks guys! I'll go ahead and take a urine sample in to the vet... luckily with the holidays here we have plenty of aluminum pie pans around! It appears that Davy's issue is similar to Lucy's, since there is definitely a corolation between heavy play and drinking and the leaking, so hopefully the vet will rule out anything serious. Thanks for making me feel better!

[Jac]

I think that is good that you are checking with the vet. Then, once you get an all-clear report, you can focus on behavioral issues. Maybe you just need to put a belly band on him when he sleeps.

[MaxandMe]

NOTE: just wanted to add. PRENDISONE makes both my doodles LEAK and/or even pee in their sleep if the dosage is higher than 10mg


also, Peanut very rarely but a few times when i didn't walk her after hard play with max and she fell asleep very soundly
has leaked a tiny bit in past. They were isolated incidents in past. I also found say they chew marrow bones even that type of activity
does require a walk afterwards too

[CharlieBear's Mom]

We've had the same problem with Charlie when on preninsone (sp)

[Linn]

That's interesting! Davy's not on any medications, and there is a definite link between high activity before bed time and the leaking. I feel certain that if I make sure he does his business right before bed, we won't have any more problems. I was just surprised that he was having accidents rather than waking up and asking to go out, but I'm relieved to hear that it is not so uncommon. I've been so busy all day, haven't gotten the urine sample yet, but will be sure to do so after Christmas. Oh, and no wet sheets last night, phew!