Which Dog is Urine Soiling?

Check first for Bladder Disease

Question:
I read with great interest (and often amusement) your weekly column. I have two female Llaso Apsos. They are sisters and are ten years old. One is quite docile and the other one can have an attitude. In our bedroom, I have placed runners on three sides of the bed. One of the girls is urinating on them. I don’t know which one is the culprit.

Dr. Nichol:
I’m sure you’ve sat these two young ladies down but that no one is talking. Now they’ll both have to go to the doctor for a first morning urine sample; somebody may have a bladder infection. I also recommend abdominal x-rays to eliminate the possibility of stones. If everybody comes away with a clean bill of bladder health you’ll have to collar the criminal by stealth.

Video surveillance, popularized by trusted governments everywhere, could provide the evidence necessary to convict. An alternative would be to ask your good veterinarian for fluorescein dye, normally used in the diagnosis of eye injuries. Administering it to just one dog by injection or orally in the form of paper strips in a capsule will make you a crime scene investigator. On a dark, moonless night with the blinds drawn you will scoot soundlessly on your belly armed with a black light, intent on illuminating the glow of fluorescein-labeled urine. Crying eureka, you will have identified the perp.

Quickly regaining your composure you can start reinforcing good behavior while completely preventing your confused pint-sized dust mop’s mistakes. There will be no punishment; that would confuse her and damage the trust she shares with her wise and consistent leader. The process is spelled-out on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

You’re often amused when reading my column? I have contributed to this fine paper every week for over 18 years. What I find amusing is that they continue publishing what I submit. Let’s keep that between us.