Ivy's Prognosis
As much as I hate to bring the thread down from the recent posts, I thought I'd update everyone on Ivy's incontinence problem where we originally began. She had her ultrasound today and much to my surprise, it was not bladder stones or a UTI or female incontinence. She has bladder cancer. My vet found a rather large mass in her abdomen that is apparently pressing on her bladder causing her issues.
There are several methods of treatment, I'm told, one being surgery and the other a chemo protocol using an anti-inflammatory drug that can possibly slow down the cancer and make the dog more comfortable. We will opt for the second, since Ivy has already had two surgeries this year and we won't put her through another. Once diagnosed, the cancer is usually so progressed that the prognosis is not good. So we will keep her as comfortable as we can for as long as we can. She is only 10, so it seems too soon for this. But in researching this type of cancer, I was surprised to find that Shelties are one of the five breeds considered quite prone to it.
Thanks to everyone who helped me out with information and your experience. I know you'll be there with support as we continue.