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	Incontinent Boxer Puppy Q: our 1 year old spayed (january 2000) boxer puppy is house broken and typically whines and sits by the door when she has to go out. in the past 2 weeks she has urinated without any indications while sleeping. we she realizes what she has done she begins to lick her back legs. she had been on medications for allergies, which we were told could make her urinate more often. we are concerned that this has happen twice and are wondering if it could be a more serious problem. also as a side note when she was a puppy she frequently had a yellow discharge that was released after urination, which she occasionally still has. our vet told us not to be concerned about it, but now we wonder if it is not related in some way . please give us any of your suggestions or thoughts. thank you for your time in answering our questions and concerns. Sincerely, jill & neil

A: Dear Jill and Neil It is quite possible that this is down to the drugs, (steroids?) and here a discussion with your vet on alternative forms of treatment would be a good idea, to find something without the side effects. Steroids are not a cure and have long term as well as short term side effects. Please consider homoeopathy or herbal remedies as a much safer alternative. Also you could try and identify the allergens so that they can be avoided or desensitised to. You could ask for a referral to a dermatologist or holistic vet, but your own vet should be consulted first. Cystitis is another possibility, so try and catch a urine sample and this can be examined as well. Less likely, but also a possibility, would be an inherited defect in the bladder structure, or an acquired problem with the nerve supply (congenital or acquired urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence). This requires x-ray techniques for diagnosis. Assume the least serious cause first, and let your own vet know what has happened.A mild vaginitis is occasionally seen in young bitches before their first season, but this prepubertal discharge usually disappears with the first season and rarely requires any treatment. If not already covered, see about insurance for your dog, Boxers tend to be at the vets a lot!! June Third-Carter B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S., Vet.M.F.Hom. for PetPlanet.co.uk

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