Dry nights...at last

Murphy has been on the eye drops for a week and while he was drinking significantly less, he was not staying dry overnight.  I can certainly see how owners who haven't had their pets diagnosed could think they have a dog who is just become "old" or "senile."    Here I was, wondering how on earth my normally reliable dog couldn't have the presence of mind to at least bark and tell me he had to go out, but rather just pee in his sleep and even after he did this, still not get up and bark.

My bed isn't just Egyptian cotton sheets anymore, it's a longer waterproof crib pad on one side of the bed, topped by another waterproof pad and a very thick, but plush woven bath rug.  I've removed the pillow on his side so I can keep the pads in one place.

He's been on one drop in each eye each night and that hasn't done it.   So rather than go to two drops each night, I've opted to try one drop in the eyes in the morning and in the evening.  It seems to have been the ticket.

If Murphy wakes during the night and I hear him licking, be it a leg or whatever, I am feeling for wet.  Lucky for both of us, the last several nights have been dry ones.  I am hopeful that we have turned the corner.

I am still planning on installing a dog door so I can leave the house for a few hours without worry.  He does seem to have the ability to hold it during the day about 4 hours, which is good, but not good enough, especially if I have to work in the office for the day.   This coming weekend, I have a pet expo and he'd be in his crate 8-9 hours.  Normally, this is not an issue, but with this disease, it is.  He can't be restricted from water or he could dehydrate as his body still pulls fluids out of his organs and tissue.   I thought I could gate him in the kitchen with some pads, but this is Murphy, the dog who would do anything to try and please me.  I know him, he will try barking to call me to let him out and when I don't come, he will try and hold it, even in unbearable agony, until he no longer can, then he will cower in shame over his accident.  So after much thinking, I decided to just take him to the expo with me.  He is, after all, the reason I work with the rescue.  At least there I can take him out periodically to the potty area.  Even at 14, he is a shinning example of a wonderful rat terrier.  He is my perfect boy.