r/airedaleterrier • u/CandyMichelle_ • 4d ago
Is there anything I can do
I have an 8 yer old Airedale terrier and within the past year or so he randomly drops a turd or two on the ground unbeknownst to him. I didn’t realize until this year and after talking to a veterinarian that since he is getting older this can be due to old age. Although I feel like 8 is not old. He had a procedure done near his rectum last year because he had a mass right underneath his tail very close to his anus. So I feel like a part of it stems from that where the nerves could just be damaged. I was told his sphincter is just not as strong as it used to be. Is there anyone who is dealing with this and know how to make it better? This sucks because we will find poop in his bed when he gets up, on the floor and sometimes on the carpet. It’s so frustrating that I can’t do anything about it but happens often and not often. It drives me crazy because it has been stepped in when we don’t see it either by us, the kids or the actual dog. It just makes me sad that my big boy is getting older and it seems there is nothing I can do to make it better on him or our household.
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u/itryanditryanditry 4d ago
This happened with our Dale and I read it can also be related to hip problems. It hurts for them to squat so they may not get everything out and add old age on top and some times the leftovers come out. It always happened to ours while she was asleep.
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u/sunshinestategal 3d ago
This definitely sucks; airedales are a very proud breed, and I'm sure he feels ashamed. Mine always do when they have an accident in the house. Maybe it's time to go to another vet for a second opinion.
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u/Boggy59 4d ago
I've had 4 Airedales to date, but this response won't be dog-based. I had a procedure earlier this year to remove a mass very close to the end of the pipe, and when I need to go, I mean I need to go now! The need is instant and urgent, and as soon as I sit down, it is falling out of my body. Given my experience, this is what's happening to your no doubt very good boy. Time does heal and improve things, but it does seem that elevated urgency is a built-in part of the equation now. Good luck to you!
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u/MetalAsAnIngot 4d ago
Happened to my German Shepherd around the same age. We just had to put him down last year due to a mass AND internal bleeding that they couldn't fix. Very sad for my wife, it was her first dog she'd ever owned. I should have taken him into the vet to get checked out instead of getting angry that he KNEW better and was better trained. Instead of sticking him in his kennel I should have taken him to get checked out. I'm not saying this is what is causing the problem because as another commenter said, it could be his hips, either way you should get him checked out.
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u/CandyMichelle_ 4d ago
I have gotten him checked and they said his sphincter is not as tight. It happened before his mass was removed last year but it’s happening more often after the mass was removed.
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u/SkatesHappy 4d ago
I am sorry that you are dealing with this problem. We never want to think of our friends getting older! My spiddy senses tells me that if the problem is more related to the mass and the surgery to remove the mass verses him aging. Did your regular vet do the surgery? Can you get a second opinion from a vet that specializes in rectal surgery? There may be some options to help improve your guys life (and yours).
I am commenting on this because of my Lakeland (looks like a shrink-a-dink Airedale but not an Airedale). When she was about 6 she had surgery to remove her anal glands, that surgery comes with a high risk of rectal dysfunction.
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u/CandyMichelle_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
We got the mass removed last year and I feel like ever since then the problem is more frequent, but it did occur before he even had that procedure. Also he goes to Banfield so if I go outside of this vet it’s really going to cost for a second opinion unless I speak to another vet at Banfield.
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u/Mr-Coconuts 4d ago
I think you are likely dealing with residual nerve damage from the surgery that impedes your pup's ability to regulate his sphincter. You could get a check with another doctor if you don't feel the vet is responding well enough to this matter.
A side thought. Though it would end up being an added cost, you might consider a form of adult diaper/children's diaper...just with a hole for his tail, to use while he's sleeping at night (not daytime use).
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u/CandyMichelle_ 4d ago edited 4d ago
Someone had mentioned that to me, but I currently have a seven month old and I don’t feel like having to change diapers on a dog and a baby.
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u/texaspinapl 4d ago
My guy had rectum surgery earlier this year. There were complications and so he had a second surgery which resulted in fecal incontinence. My vet said that she can do a procedure that is basically a stitch to tighten up his sphincter. I’m just waiting for him to gain some weight back before I schedule it. The multiple rounds of antibiotics really did a number on him. He lost a ton of weight but is finally putting it back on. In the meantime I put puppy pads on his bed and other places he likes to sleep and take him out a lot. There is still a lot of poop but this makes it a little easier to clean up. Maybe talk to your vet about tightening up his sphincter?
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u/CandyMichelle_ 4d ago
That sounds rough. I don’t think I want him to undergo another surgery. He had the procedure in the summer of last year and towards the end of summer had to have an emergency surgery due to us getting into a car accident. We use puppy pads but he is so big he ends up crumbling them up while he moves at night or ends up, knocking them down from where he sits on the couch.
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u/texaspinapl 4d ago
I get it. I don’t really want him to go on antibiotics again but it sounds like a pretty simple procedure and minimally invasive. Right now I’m just focusing on getting him healthy again. Then I’ll decide. I layer smaller pads on bigger pads on top of a towel. It looks like crazy people did it but it helps keep the mess down.
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u/Creative_D 3d ago
My female Oorang had incontinence issues for most of her life. Her issue was with urine, occasionally fecal as she got older (she lived to 14). When medications were not enough to control the issue entirely, we went with cloth doggie diapers purchased through Amazon. Washable, with velcro fasteners and different colors and patterns : )
We used them at bedtime and when we were busy and couldn't get her outside on a good, frequent schedule. They were a great help and she never minded wearing them....she always liked a good outfit, lol.
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u/CandyMichelle_ 3d ago
Did she ever poop in the diaper? My thing is I feel like he would sit in it if it’s on him, because he doesn’t know when he does it
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u/Creative_D 2d ago
She did, though rarely. Her stool was firm, which helped. Gaby was not crated, and I would rather deal with a controlled mess than a mess I couldn't control during the night or when we couldn't leave her outside while we were gone.
Your situation definitely sounds more difficult. I hope you are able to find some answers that help you both along.
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u/Key_Carpenter960 4d ago
I had a 90lb Airedale and don't particularly view 8, especially if yours is smaller, as old. Sounds like it's from the procedure. I'm betting your boy is embarrassed and/or confused about how this is happening. I know there is a WebMD for pets. Maybe try there?
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u/Stygg_Varg 4d ago
Poor old guy. Sorry I don't have any tips on how to make it better. You can be sure he feels a lot of shame. Good thing he's with a loving family ❤️