Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 8/11/2008

Question
We have a 14yr old female dalmation. She is peeing in her sleep and she stinks to high heaven. I had her teeth cleaned and pulled along with anal glands. I noticed her teeth are getting black but I don't think she can make it through another teeth cleaning. We have throw out 3 dog beds this month due to the peeing. I don't know what to do. She drinks tons of water and hardly any food.

Answer
Barrie -

You should have your dog examined as soon as possible. There are a couple of reasons why your pup might be urinating in her sleep; she may have a urinary tract disease or she may be experiencing urinary incontinence.  A urinary tract disease will cause her to urinate frequently.  Given her age, it is likely that she may have urinary incontinence.   As a female dog ages, her estrogen level decreases.  As that level decreases, there is an increased chance that she may become incontinent because the lack of estrogen causes her urethral sphincter to lose its tone.  As the urethral sphincter loses its tone, your dog is likely to become incontinent.  

There is also a chance that your dog may have bladder stones.  Dalmatians tend to form bladder stones.  The stones formed in the bladder may also cause her to be incontinent.

Check with your veterinary professional to determine the diagnostic and treatment plan best suited to your dog. I am sure your vet will recommend bloodwork and possibly radiographs to determine why she is incontinent.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell,DVM