Just saw your thread. I have had no experience with a problem like little Jazzie is having, but have experience with diapers. I use the Simple Solutions [from PetSmart] diapers and they are just like the baby diapers but have a hole for her tail. They are great ... they are the velcro kind and you can check and then close them back. I use them when we are visiting friends and she insists on going pee pee on their carpet!! That's a whole other story .... she never ever does that at home ... my friend laughs and says she's just marking her territory! I, on the other hand, don't think it's funny!
I also use them as a safety measure when we fly, just in case. I have never had a problem with them irritating her or anything. The only problem I have encountered has been with size .... the smallest ones are too big but I put them on really tight and they stay. You're absolutely right about the little pads .... they don't hold anything!
Please let us know about little Jazzie, I hope it's nothing serious.