Labradoodle Urinating Issue

by Gregg Jons
(New Haven CT)

Reader Question on Urination Issue Followed By Suggestion From our Vet

Our Labradoodle is about 11 months old and fully house trained. However, she often urinates while seemingly dozing on the floor among us while we are conversing or watching TV. She has NO problem with holding it through the night or any other time, except for these regular circumstances.

Does anyone else have a similar issue or something to say?

Suggestion From Our Veterinarian on Urination Issue

Hello,

The fact that your dog only leaks urine during short rests but not overnight is odd, but I think she needs a similar workup regardless of when the problem is occurring. You did not mention if your dog has been spayed. Urine leakage can be an issue in spayed female dogs, but absent other problems it often responds well to medical management with a drug called phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Hormone replacement can also be considered but carries a greater risk of side effects in dogs.

If your dog is not spayed, it becomes more likely that she might have abnormal anatomy of either her bladder, ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder), or her vagina. She could also have a urinary tract infection, but this may have actually developed as a result of another, primary problem.

Your best option is to make an appointment with your veterinarian. He or she will start by performing a physical examination and a urinalysis and will then be able to talk to you about what needs to be done next.

Best of luck,
Jennifer Coates, DVM