oh dear, and also the store is closed on sunday, ugh

[cimorene]

The dog was already unable to hold it at all anymore, and had his newspapers on the floor near the bathroom door. But he's been gradually getting worse at newspaper, rendering the flat depressingly disgusting, and now he apparently can't aim at all. Yesterday he completely stopped using the newspaper at all and just pooped in the middle of the kitchen floor and the hallway (two separate occasions). I'm inclined to suspect senility, because urinary tract problems can't explain poop and the poop itself is apparently completely healthy, going by its shape and so on. Sadly I'm kind of an expert in that these days.

Of course beagles are known for being ornery and stubborn, but Perry hasn't done any Statement Pooping before and I've had him nearly 15 years, so it would be astonishingly out of character. On the other hand, he's so feeble he can't seem to sit or stand without wobbling around and he does seem to be mostly blind and mostly deaf these days (and in surprisingly good cheer with it).

Evidently I have no choice but diapers now, which is kind of upsetting because diapers can get quite expensive and although we have more income than we need, sort of, right NOW, that's due to stop in a couple of months when my Finnish class ends.

There's a whole website dedicated to knit and crochet dog incontinence diapers, where you use rags as the linings; but this sounds like it might be more grossness than I can handle. I guess I may try it if disposable ones look too unaffordable though.

Comments

[vass]

Senility is likely, unfortunately. But one quick check: how is his tail? If he can wag it fine then ignore this, but if it just trails down and he doesn't purposefully move it, there is a kind of slow paralysis that some animals get when very old, and it starts with the tail and moves up the spine from there - if that applies to your dog, it'd be his hindlegs next. If it is that, then the good thing is that I'm told it doesn't cause them pain, they just lose their mobility bit by bit, and usually die of old age long before it causes major quality of life problems.

[cimorene]

OH, interesting! Now you mention it, his tail may be less mobile. He sleeps so much that I couldn't remember right away. I'll try giving him a treat the next time he begs and see if he wags it.

[norah]

Adult incontinence liners are perfect, we used them for years. V. Absorbent and cheaper than disposable diapers

[cimorene]

Oh, cool! I'll buy some tomorrow. And get knitting, I guess, once I find that pattern.

[gwyn]

I was just going to mention this -- I have used a diaper shell that's easily washable and put either women's maxi pads in (these are especially great for belly bands), or a full adult diaper or pad.

I have a feeling it is age -- I've seen many very old dogs just walk along, pooping as they go, completely unaware that they're doing it. I hate to say this, but it's often and end-stage thing (though the end stage can last a long time).

[cimorene]

It's all right, he's lived significantly above his expected lifespan already. Not that it won't be sad, but at least I've been accustomed to the IDEA of him dying for a long time.

[kay_mulan]

oohhh. :(