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Question

16 year old schnauzer, in extremely good health has frequent episodes of passing stool that he seems unaware of, sometimes in his sleep. No other symptoms. eats, sleeps, plays like a much younger dog.

Submitted: 1183 days and 7 hours ago.

Category: Dog

Value: $8

Status: CLOSED

Optional Information

Posted by NancyH 1183 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

Usually this is due to arthritis either in the spine area or hips impacting the nerves that control the anal area.
It could also be due to sphincter valves becoming more lax.
There are some meds that can help with this.
You should discuss it with your vet.
Hope this helps you!

1183 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Nancy Holmes's Post: If this were due to arthritis wouldn't I see signs of pain? I know the signs, and he doesn't have them. No panting, shivering, spells of inactivity or anything like that.

Accepted Answer

If there is arthritis or a spinal disc problem that is pushing on the nerves it might just cause numbness not pain.
But it could be he has just lost some of the tone to the muscles that control the area and when he sleeps they relax too much.
Hormonal changes can cause that.

Accepts:
Expert:	NancyH
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Answered:	8/27/2006

Dog Expert:Rescue, Train,Breed,Care

30+ yrs dog home vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior&training, responsible show breeding, genetics

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