just a quick question, I know this is basic and elementary but id just like to see if this is normal.
Lady, female, spayed, 9 yrs GSD, has started dribbling a little urine when she is barking very emphaticly and (i suspect) when she sleeps. not a whole bladders worth, just drops. We did move about 6 months ago, and I got a new dog about 5 months ago. Both processes were as undisruptive as is possible (the new dog is a 4 yr old female fixed IG).
She has not had increased water intake, no straining while peeing or pooping, no change in diet, no changes in appetite, no changes in behavior, she doesnt pay any special attention to herself back there but I have noticed that she wants to lick the drops away, and ive seen her lick her pillow which is why i suspect she leaks a little when she sleeps. she is still active, isnt sensitive or depressed in any way. basicly everything is normal, except the droplets and the licking I will get a urinalysis as soon as i can, but I just wanted to know if this is most likely a side affect of old age, or infection? I am with her all but a couple of hours a day.

Ummm...if she were a human female, I'd be able to say with authority, old age. But I'd wait to see the vet.

There is incontinence sometimes in a spayed dog, due to the lack of estrogen, but I would want a urine culture done asap.

It happens as we age. If we are spayed.....
Estrogen is the cure, puffs things back up so the "squeeze" of the Kegel exercise
fame "squeezes". There may be other medications these days that have the same effect.
UA is a real good idea too, to rule out an infection, as Connie suggested. She won't likely have to take estrogen long term: a pulse dose usually tones things up, and often lasts a long time.

alright thanks! any insight into the licking? she is the type of dog to be mortified about messing in the wrong place, is that it? Or is it more likely a chemical imbalance?

Is she licking just the urine and not herself? I wasn't 100% clear.

she is licking the urine from the floor

I might add that it isnt much, and she doesnt do this when she relieves herself, only when the dribbling is accidental in nature. she shows no interest in other animals feces or her own (except cats of course, bleh)

I wouldn't be worried about that. She may indeed be cleaning up.

I'd just get that UA done and then the pretty simple and straightforward lab (blood) tests if there is no UTI.

I'm not a health professional, of course. I have had two or three senior females in the past who had some estrogen-responsive incontinence, and they were easily treated.

In fact, I understand that there are several options (in case the dog is not a candidate for the first choice because of liver problems).

I can find some reading material if you like.

I do think that I'd be relatively not-anxious about this, and just making the vet appointment asap.

If you have never had to collect a sample, let us know and we can give you some practical tips for getting a "clean catch" from a female.

haha well I think I can get it, but I may need to move out of my apartment because all my neighbors will think Im a perv!