Urine problems and diet change

[linz06]

Yeah I told her last night that it took me about a month to feel comfortable with it. I know Layla can't be very full if she's been trying for that long, because when she's full, any pressure anywhere on her stomach will make it go.

I think when she feels the bladder once, she will know it. I don't think she felt it last night because her hands were not where I could feel the bladder. But when she feels it she should know what to look for next time.

If nothing else, at least the other two dogs got a potty break today!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by linz06

Yeah I told her last night that it took me about a month to feel comfortable with it. I know Layla can't be very full if she's been trying for that long, because when she's full, any pressure anywhere on her stomach will make it go.

I think when she feels the bladder once, she will know it. I don't think she felt it last night because her hands were not where I could feel the bladder. But when she feels it she should know what to look for next time.

If nothing else, at least the other two dogs got a potty break today!

Heheh...so all is not lost!

You know, I don't always feel the bladder still! I just know where it is and squeeze....I usually start toward the tummy and work back. I just have issues feeling it at times.

[linz06]

Yes, I usually start up further too and kind of trap it at the back lol. Actually we're having an issue now with all of Layla's other organs being in the way. The vet said we should put her back end in the air so everything falls forward, and then put a hand under there to block everything from coming back when we put her in position to be expressed. She said she has never felt her spleen as far out as it was the last time we went in. She has no tone in her abdomen anymore so everything is just kind of jumbled there together. I'm worried that we might have been squeezing on other things too hard. We didn't tell the sitter about that yet though, we'll let her get the hang of however she feels comfortable expressing, and then show her how to pull the organs forward first.

I never thought I'd be taling about things like this regarding my dog lol!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by linz06

Yes, I usually start up further too and kind of trap it at the back lol. Actually we're having an issue now with all of Layla's other organs being in the way. The vet said we should put her back end in the air so everything falls forward, and then put a hand under there to block everything from coming back when we put her in position to be expressed. She said she has never felt her spleen as far out as it was the last time we went in. She has no tone in her abdomen anymore so everything is just kind of jumbled there together. I'm worried that we might have been squeezing on other things too hard. We didn't tell the sitter about that yet though, we'll let her get the hang of however she feels comfortable expressing, and then show her how to pull the organs forward first.

I never thought I'd be taling about things like this regarding my dog lol!

hmm... that is a good idea about putting their butt a bit higher! I don't think you can really hurt them...unless you squeeze really hard. It really does not take that much pressure once you are in the right area.

haha..yeah it is a bit odd

[linz06]

After Layla's surgery, every vet at the college said we are not going to hurt her by squeezing. Our hometown vet seems concerned now, but I guess maybe we shouldn't worry too much. She doesn't seem to know a whole lot about this, but it's not like she sees it every day like the others.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by linz06

After Layla's surgery, every vet at the college said we are not going to hurt her by squeezing. Our hometown vet seems concerned now, but I guess maybe we shouldn't worry too much. She doesn't seem to know a whole lot about this, but it's not like she sees it every day like the others.

I am definitely going to ask my vet next time I see her!

[linz06]

Well, the sitter forgot about other plans she had so she couldn't make it over last night. When we got home, Layla had finished her bowl of water but did not overflow at all. She was full though. It's just very weird that last week she was overflowing every few hours and now she's almost back to normal.

She seems hungry all the time though. We had been feeding her 3/4 cup a day of Acana, and now she's getting 3/4 cup a day of Urinary SO. She goes crazy for food though. We wait to feed her until around 7 because she's taking a pill every 12 hours with her meals. But from 5:00, she's already crying and chewing at her bowl and licking it to get any crumbs she may have left earlier. She has even ventured out on the hardwood to get some of the Acana from the other dogs (they usually have some left all day), and she is terrified of the hardwood! But I guess she is just that hungry

[ladyjane]

Is the sitter going there today?

[linz06]

Yes she is. We expressed Layla about a half hour earlier than normal this morning so maybe she'll have a little bit more in her today.

[ladyjane]

Hope it goes well!!

[linz06]

She got some pee out today!! I asked if she'd like to come back and practise and she said she'll wait until tomorrow. If she has trouble again then she'll try coming over in the evening. But she thinks she has the hang of it now. Yay!!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by linz06

She got some pee out today!! I asked if she'd like to come back and practise and she said she'll wait until tomorrow. If she has trouble again then she'll try coming over in the evening. But she thinks she has the hang of it now. Yay!!

Yippee! I know the first time I did it, I thought I had struck gold.

[linz06]

Me too! She said she just got a few drops so I don't think she got her empty, but hopefully she'll get the hang of it with time.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by linz06

Me too! She said she just got a few drops so I don't think she got her empty, but hopefully she'll get the hang of it with time.

My guess is she will. She is wanting to keep trying...that's a good thing!

[linz06]

When we got home, the pee pad was crumpled and folded by the wall, so I opened it and could see no pee on it so I'm not sure where or if she peed at all. She was really full at the end of the day though.