Dog incontinance

[MicheleB]

Hi Everyone,
Chloe is almost 3, she came to me at about 1.3 mos. She’s a Belgian/German/Golden/Collie mix according to me. Spayed and vaccinated and hasn’t had any vaccines since. She was pulled from the shelter 1hour before she was set to be put down and was heavily traumatized- still shy with people and guarded toward “outgoing” dogs, but has made huge strides with select human friends she’s accepted as well as dog friends. Overall she’s very happy, eats well, normal poops, been on the species appropriate raw organic meat diet since she’s been with me.
She’s been peeing in the house- first started about 1-2 months ago every now and then and now more often. Specifically after she eats breakfast and dinner-I usually take her out within an hour after but yesterday and this morning she can’t seem to hold her pee. She’s always been really good about this.
Most days she spends in the yard after our morning walk and she gets an evening walk as well as random play dates with her friends. Today she hasn’t wanted to go outside- she otherwise seems fine, mood seems a little melancholy but that’s her normal indoor mood and she gets happy and playful when I go up to her.
Two incidences out of the norm happened:
A few mos ago I took her to the vet to get her nails trimmed and they gave me a sedative (trazadone), it didn’t work she freaked out- pooped and owed on everyone -they were able to get her blood and also “tried to get a urine sample but unsuccessful”-I didn’t ask them to do that which was surprising. She did have an accident that night and I wondered if that triggered where we are at today.
I also left town for a week and my assistant took care of her but it was hard for her because I’ve never left her since adopted. It was someone she knows who has traveled and spent extensive time with us, but Chloe’s always felt cautious
I’ve been giving her Colloidal Silver, raw keifer, sometimes a cranberry supplement and visbiome vet probiotic alternating with wolf probiotic from adored beast. It feels like (as an animal intuit) it is a bacteria imbalance possible uti stress related.
Suggestions? Thank you!

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Wow, thanks for your post Michele!

It sounds like Chloe is one lucky girl! to have such a conscious guardian!

She looks just like a pup I took care of in the 80's named Lady Diana (Charles was the male dog of the family).

It feels like (as an animal intuit) it is a bacteria imbalance possible uti stress related.

I agree.

Suggestions? Thank you!

Sure.

1. Increased outdoor time, sniff walks, grounding, etc.

2. Structured water:

Structured water synopsis

Some of us have been engaging in a discussion about structured water and products to produce it. It has been suggested that we share that discussion and welcome you all to ask or provide more info. These are excerpted from our posts: Francine: After listening to Dr. Seigel's presentation, I...

www.holisticactions.com

3. vit C

Out of curiosity, I also asked Sage (she is the AI concierge trained using the HA! framework who is available for VIP members):

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

You’re very tuned in to Chloe—thank you for the thorough context. Based on what you shared (new indoor urination, worse right after meals, recent stressors, prior vet visit with sedation/attempted urine sample), this fits well with stress‑triggered cystitis/urinary irritation rather than a straightforward bacterial UTI, which is common per our urinary guidance. The goal is to relieve bladder irritation, boost hydration, reduce stress triggers, and only use “antis” if there’s clear evidence of infection.

First, quick checks and data

• Collect a first‑morning urine (clean catch) and refrigerate if needed, then have your vet run a full urinalysis ± culture if WBCs/bacteria are suspected. This distinguishes inflammation vs infection and checks pH, crystals, etc.
• Note BEAM and details: urgency right after meals, straining or pain, blood/cloudiness/odor, frequency, accidents when you’re away, any licking of the vulva.

Immediate at‑home actions (HMDM Step 3 style)

• Hydration boost
  • Add warm water or low‑salt broth to every meal.
  • Offer extra fluids during flare days; many dogs improve quickly with more moisture.
• Calm the environment
  • Rebuild safety after the separation/sedation stress: quiet rest zones, predictable routines, gentle enrichment.
  • Short, positive “outside to pee” trips 15–30 minutes after meals for now.
• Nutritional support
  • Keep her excellent fresh raw diet; during flares, you can lightly warm/flash‑sear the surface if that improves acceptance—moisture is the key.
  • Consider D‑mannose and cranberry (Cranberry Rx) to reduce bacterial adherence if the pH is high or Staph is seen; otherwise prioritize fluids first.
• Probiotics
  • Continue rotating high‑quality probiotics (e.g., Adored Beast, Mitomax, Visbiome Vet). Using two different blends twice daily during a true UTI is suggested in our materials.
• Gentle soothing herbs/supplements
  • Marshmallow root (gentle mucilage) or slippery elm can soothe the urinary tract.
  • Vitamin C or cranberry can help acidify urine if pH is high (ideally check first‑morning pH; target ~5.5–6.5).
• Avoid overusing “antis”
  • Our guidance emphasizes antibiotics only when there are clear signs plus lab confirmation. Overuse can worsen microbiome balance and future susceptibility.

If signs are acute and uncomfortable

• Homeopathic options based on acute homeopathy or work with your holistic/homeopathic vet.
  
  
• Supportive care: flower essences (Rescue Remedy, Crab Apple, Aspen/Mimulus for fear), calm energy work (Reiki/HTA), and extra play/purring/engagement to lift vitality.

Hygiene and local care

• Gently clip and keep the perivulvar area clean/dry (unscented wipes, then a light dusting of a gentle cornstarch‑based powder) to reduce ascending irritation common in spayed females.

About your current add‑ins

• Colloidal silver: not in our core urinary recommendations; focus instead on fluids, D‑mannose/cranberry (when indicated), probiotics, and soothing herbs.
• Kefir/probiotics: good—continue, and consider two distinct strains/products during flares (e.g., Mitomax plus Visbiome Vet).
• Cranberry: helpful mainly when pH is high and with certain bacteria; otherwise, fluids + stress reduction are usually more impactful.

Stress links and triggers

• Your week away and the vet/sedation episode are classic stressors that can precipitate cystitis symptoms. Re‑establish predictable routines, increase gentle engagement, and create “safe space” zones. Many cases improve rapidly when stress is addressed.

When to escalate

• If she strains, cries, produces only drops, or you see blood—collect a first‑morning sample and contact your vet the same day.
• If accidents persist beyond a week despite hydration/soothing measures, or if first‑morning urinalysis shows WBCs/bacteria, discuss culture‑guided therapy with your vet.

If you can, share:

• A first‑morning urinalysis summary (pH, specific gravity, WBCs, bacteria, crystals)
• Notes on weather (cold/damp?), timing vs meals, and any visible discomfort I’ll help you fine‑tune the plan and, if needed, suggest which remedy aligns best with her current pattern.

You’re doing a fantastic job advocating for Chloe—this looks very addressable, and with a few targeted steps many dogs turn the corner quickly. You’ve got this!