Saturday, November 3, 2012

Potty Pads - Any Advice?


Many of my readers are probably familiar with our little Bubba and his previous problems. For those who don't know, he's been blocked (bladder) twice, and had two emergency surgeries. He almost died when stones got stuck in the urethra, but he survived what many dogs don't. He gets bladder stones and even though he's on prescription food for that, they still come back. They aren't nearly as big as they once were, but they are still causing the little guy problems.

When I said in my previous post that life gets in the way, this is one of those obstacles. For the past week, he's been having off and on difficulty urinating. It breaks my heart to watch him struggle during those times. The vet had to catheterize him twice last week. I took him to work with me everyday because if he wasn't urinating, we could help him before I took him home. This is one advantage of working for his vet. Unfortunately, and of all times, Doc is out of town! We do have a substitute doctor, but he doesn't handle emergencies or surgeries. If Bubba has more problems, we might do another surgery when Doc comes back that will reroute his "plumbing." It's good answer for this type of problem and is very successful.

I bought some training pads and some special spray and I'm trying to get Bubba to pee on them but he shows no interest. Not only is this a way to keep watch on his medical problem, but I hate taking him outside, especially after dark. We have coyotes and other animals that would not make nice with my Bubba! Our winters are also pretty rough and it would be quite nice to keep him inside since I follow him in the yard in case of furry intruders.

So, I'm looking for advice. Has anyone had success using the training pads on an older dog? I'd really like for this to work for so many reasons.

14 comments:

  1. I've never used the training pads, but I have an idea. If your home improvement store still has sod, buy a square (or rectangle) and lay it in a plastic lined cardboard box for him to use. He's used to going in the grass, so this may be just what he needs. Good luck Sher, and I hope little Bubba feels better and is ok until Doc gets back.

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  2. No experience with pads. Poor Bubba. I hope he isn't suffering too much with the stones.

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  3. Awww, poor Bubba. It's so difficult when our 'babies' are sick! I sure hope he's doing better soon. I haven't had any experience with the pads, I hope he'll get the hang of them soon, we live in the country too... and I know what you mean about not wanting to take him outside especially at night.

    Our little Emmi has problems every now and then with her digestive system, and it's difficult. In fact, she's on a special diet right now and we will have to have add powder (FortiFlora) to her food for the rest of her life to help regulate her.

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  4. Bubba sure is a cutie, love the pictures!

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  5. I used pads with one of my dogs, and though she didn't have medical problems, she had stubborn problems. An idea might be to take the pads with you when you go outside, and put them under him right when he starts to pee. Then try and use that pad inside and see if it helps. My dog wouldn't respond to the bottle pee scent, but she responded to her own.

    I hope your Bubba is ok. Give him a scratch behind the ears from me.

    http://www.AllThingsTangled.blogspot.com

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  6. Poor little guy! I wish I could offer advice, but I don't have any experience with that. I think Della's idea is good, but I would change the cardboard box for a low plastic container maybe, and fill that with a square or two of sod. It's worth a try?

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  7. I hope Bubba can get better when the regular Doc is back. I didn't know you could "reroute" plubming!! All I can think is do like when training a puppy. Tie his leash to your waist in the house and, when he starts to pee, run him to the pad.

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  8. Oh poor Bubba!
    sorry. I have no idea.
    I hope you come up with good solutions for his issues.

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  9. No advice, I'm afraid, but lots of good wishes to you and poor Bubba.

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  10. I've never used those before so I have no suggestions. Poor little Bubba. I hope he's doing better soon

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  11. Bubba is really cute. I wish i could offer advice but i ma not familiar with training pads. However, I will send some healing energy to him hoping he gets better really soon, I bet he is precious too :)

    http://psychicjoelle.blogspot.com

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  12. what a cutie! I've used the pads for our peekawauwau mix. And still at 5 years of age, he still uses them because he refuses to poop outside! he'll go outside to urinate, and we can even keep him out on his lead for a while, but as soon as he comes into the house, he runs to his pad to unload, hahaha. I pray Bubba gets better soon..
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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  13. Oh, what a sweet little guy! I have no advice, but I hope you get something that works well for such a little cutie!
    -Jamie
    http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/

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  14. Sorry, no advice here, but wishing him the best. He's an adorable little guy and I know how tough it is watching pets in pain. Hope he's back to usual self soon, without the need for another surgery.

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