How to Safely Wean Your Dog Off Proin (Risks & Considerations)

You might have heard from other pet owners or your vet that you shouldn’t stop giving your dog Proin right away because it might cause problems. But, you might not want your dog to keep taking this medicine if it’s not needed.

If you’re asking, “Can I stop giving my dog Proin?”

The answer depends on your dog. Some dogs have done just fine when their owners stopped giving them Proin suddenly.

Sometimes, if the medicine is working, slowly lowering the dose won’t cause your dog to start leaking again. This depends on what’s causing the incontinence, like nerve problems, infections, or other health issues.

Proin is often used for a long time, but if it’s helping, you might be able to give your dog less of it.

If you don’t want to stop Proin completely, using other medicines along with lifestyle changes might help with any leaks.

Proin isn’t the only medicine for dog incontinence. If your vet finds that it’s causing bad side effects, they might suggest other medicines like estrogen. There are also natural options that can help your dog.

No matter which medicine is used, most dogs can get better from incontinence, and it’s worth trying different treatments!

First Things First: How Did My Dog Become Incontinent?

Incontinence is a common issue in dogs, especially in females spayed before 6 months of age. It’s also more frequently observed in larger dog breeds compared to smaller ones.

Incontinence can result from several underlying causes, such as:

Old age
A diminished bladder function
Bladder, kidney, as well as urinary tract infections of the urinary tract, kidneys, and bladder
Bladder and urethra anomalies (stones, tumors inflammation, stones)
A rise in thirst
Anatomic, spinal and nerve problems
Neurological disorders
Hormonal issues

The problems mentioned above can weaken or overload the muscles around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. This can make it hard for your dog to hold urine properly.

When the urethral sphincter (the muscle that controls urine flow) doesn’t work like it should, urine can leak out. This often happens when your dog is resting, sleeping, or even just walking around casually.

Before giving your dog a medication like Proin (PPA), your vet will usually do tests like a urine analysis, X-rays, and blood tests to make sure there’s no other cause and that Proin is the right treatment.

Proin works best for incontinence caused by hormones or after a dog has been spayed or neutered. Many dogs with this type of leakage respond well to PPA treatment.

How Long Does It Take For Proin To Work?

Proin has the chemical phenylpropanolamine. This acts by stimulating specific neurotransmitters and stress hormones to enhance the smooth muscle tone in the kidneys and urethral organs. It is believed that this will assist in reducing leakage of urine because the bladder neck will be better able to close.

Proin should only be given to a dog with the guidance of a veterinarian. It should only be given to dogs that reason for which it is recommended.

Prior to Proin can be considered a possible alternative treatment option the underlying cause of the leakage must be determined so that unrelated factors like bladder or kidney infection are eliminated.

The correct, precise dosage must be consumed by the dog for the medicine to be effective, as well as to minimize the risk of adverse side effects.

It could take several days after the first dosage of medication before an improvement in urinary leakage can be evident.

How Much Proin Should I Give My Dog?

Proin is a medication used to treat incontinence in dogs, helping to control involuntary urination. It is important to follow the correct dosage and schedule to ensure the medication works effectively. The dose is typically based on your dog’s weight, and it’s essential to be cautious with storage to prevent accidental ingestion, as Proin can be attractive to pets.

If you miss a dose, it’s important to know how to handle it safely. You should never give two doses at once to make up for the missed one, as this could be harmful. Keeping the bottle securely stored and out of your dog’s reach is also crucial to prevent them from chewing on the tablets or bottle.

Proin Dosage: The recommended dose is 0.91 mg per pound of your dog’s body weight.
- Give this dose twice a day in half-tablet amounts.
Missed Dose:
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
- If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and just go back to your regular schedule.
- Do not give two doses to make up for the missed one.
Storage and Safety:
- Don’t leave the bottle of Proin open or let pieces fall on the floor, because the medicine tastes good to dogs.
- Some pets have even chewed through closed bottles to get to the tablets, so keep Proin out of your dog’s reach!

How Long Can Dogs Stay On Proin?

A study has proven Proin to be safe and effective. Proin has been proven to be safe for canines and is effective over at least 28 days. Through the clinical trial, Proin was demonstrated to be effective in reducing leakage, based on the substantial decrease in the number of accidents resulting from urine each week.

The 123 dogs treated with Proin were prone to 9 urinary incidents each week prior to treatment, however within one week after treatment, this amount decreased to 3.9. After week 4 of this study the mean urinary accidents had decreased to just 1.6 per week.

150 dogs continued this study to a further one-year (6 months) study. The dosage of 2 mg/kg of Proin was again found to be effective in controlling incontinence. There was only one accident every week, in average. Proin also earned the 98.1 percentage of owner satisfaction during the study.

When it’s required, Proin is designed to be used for the duration of a dog’s existence. In general, it can provide relief for the duration it is being used as an answer to incontinence.

Although it is intended for long-term use long-term use, the prolonged consumption of Proin isn’t free of undesirable reactions. They will be discussed more in the following sections.

Is Proin Bad For Dogs?

Proin is generally safe for healthy pets and has been effective for managing urinary incontinence caused by weakened muscle tone in the urethral sphincter. However, it’s not suitable for treating urinary issues caused by infections, diseases, or neurological problems. Additionally, its safety for pregnant or nursing dogs has not been tested.

Like any medication, Proin can have side effects. While it helps many dogs, some may experience mild to severe reactions. A common side effect is increased thirst, so always ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water.

Proin is not recommended for dogs with heart, liver, or kidney issues, or conditions like diabetes, glaucoma, or high blood pressure. It should also be avoided if your pet is on medications such as antidepressants or blood pressure drugs.

Always consult your vet to understand the potential risks and make the best decision for your dog’s health.

Side Effects Caused By Proin

Numerous studies on Proin have demonstrated that the adverse reactions listed below (listed in order from most common to the least) are possible to occur over prolonged Proin therapy:

Hypertension of the blood (hypertension)
Heart rate that is inconsistent
Vomiting (emesis)
Weight loss
A lack of appetite (anorexia)
Proteinuria is characterized by excess protein in the urine (proteinuria)
A lot of thirst (polydipsia)
Diarrhea
Apathy and lethargy
Changes in behavior such as aggression or anxiety

More grave adverse events have received reports from dog-owners in the last year. This includes blood in the urine, arrhythmiasand seizures and ataxia (nervous system degeneration) liver failure or even the death of a dog.

The sudden death of a dog was typically preceded by signs of neurological weakness and collapse. Internet dog forums are filled with personal testimonials of Proin toxicities.

Proin is also a risk of overdose particularly if a dog grabs an entire bottle and swallows several tablets. Signs of Proin overdose could include agitation, arrhythmias hypertension, skin rashes, excessive drooling, fatigue as well as tremors and the inability to flush the bladder.

If your dog has taken too much with tablets, or if you see any of the signs above you should take it to the veterinarian right away for a thorough examination and treatment.

In all times, it’s the tragic reality that many drugs and treatments can , and will, shorten the lifespan of pets. Equally, abuse of those medications can adversely affect the lifespan of a dog.

However, it needs to be remembered that these medications were created and tested with the aim to have the opposite effect: to increase the quality and duration of the life span.

What Are The Alternatives To Proin For Dogs?

It is not scientifically established the effectiveness of any treatment that is holistic will successfully treat urinary incontinence.

There are however certain items that have been proven to be beneficial in some way, at least anecdotally that you could explore with your pet:

HomeoPet ‘Leaks No More’ Drops

Leaks No More HomeoPet is an incontinence treatment for dogs that has been available for over 20 years , and is well-known on the web. A quick lookup on Amazon will reveal that it has an average rating of 4 stars with more than 1,000 reviews as of the time of writing.

It is a natural source of active ingredients like aluminum oxide Lytta Vesicatoria (Spanish fly) causticum, gelsemium, causticum sempervirens, and greater plantain – all of which possess medicinal properties that are beneficial for urinary issues.

“Leaks No No More” can be easy to apply via dropper and is administered three doses of weight-dependent dosages per day at the beginning. It is claimed to be quick-acting and once symptoms have subsided, dosages may be decreased.

In the end, if there aren’t other symptoms, then the drops doesn’t need to be kept up! This is good news for pet owners who don’t want to have their pets continuously being treated even with natural treatments.

Since “Leaks No More” is 100% natural it is suitable for long-term use without any known adverse side consequences, and is used by old and young dogs at the same time.

In comparison to other types of treatment, it’s quite affordable and may be something worth considering in particular if you’re an owner of a dog who is concerned regarding the harsh substances found in the incontinence treatments like Proin as well as estrogen.

Artificial Hormones/Estrogen (DES or Diethylstilbestrol)

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) can be an additional off-label drug that can be utilized to manage urinary problems problems in dogs. The use of DES in veterinary medicine is mostly reserved for female dogs that have been spayed.

DES is available in liquid or pill form. It is believed to improve the sensitivity of muscles of the smooth in the neck of your bladder. The muscle will become more flexible and tighten easily, which prevents urine leakage.

It might be an option as an alternative to dogs that aren’t able to tolerate Proin well. Be aware that DES is accompanied by the same set of precautions and adverse consequences.

DES is not recommended by animals that have a confirmed hypersensitivity or allergy or those who are taking medications that could be contradictory. Also, it should not be administered to pregnant dogs.

In large dosages, DES and estrogens can decrease bone marrow levels in the body, resulting in the reduction of blood cells count. The result is issues with clotting, increased chance of infection and anemia. The majority of the time, this damage can be permanent and irreparableand may even be fatal.

The adverse effects of DES could be:

Due to the risk of DES associated with DES, the use of DES should be closely controlled by a vet who is qualified. In reality, it is unlikely to be any more brutal than Proin and should not be considered as an alternative in the event that Proin isn’t well-handled.

Other Natural Remedies And Methods That May Help

Please be aware this: I’m not a certified vet The following list is just an assortment of methods and remedies that I’ve found on the web that are believed to be effectiveat a minimum anecdotally. It might be worthwhile to do additional research on each of these remedies.

Apple cider vinegar is widely used as a natural treatment for urinary incontinence in dogs. A couple of teaspoons of ACV can be soaked into breadcrumbs or added into water for drinking as a treat for the dog on a daily basis. But, be careful not to give too much since it could alter the pH of the dog’s urine. excessively alkaline.
Supplements with Cranberry: beneficial for the health of your urinary tract in bladder support, as well as the infection of your urinary tract. The health of the urinary tract can be strongly linked to incontinence therefore it is worthwhile to ensure that your dog’s urinary system operating at its best.
Parsley is a natural diuretic. This means that it enhances urine production and speeds up the process of excretion of the body. This can be useful for bladder leakage as it will assist in eliminating any remaining liquid out of the bladder.
Powder made of corn silk: A different natural diuretic that can be gentle to any inflammation or irritation in the bladder.
Supplements for bladder/urinary support Supplements for bladder/urinary support that usually include the pumpkin seed, rehmannia, saw palmetto, wildyam as well as soy protein extract olive leaf, vitamin B6 may also be useful in relieving incontinence issues for dogs.
More frequent trips to the bathroom: The logic says that the more often you take your dog out to urinate as well as for a walk, the less urine it holds within its bladder. The less urine is in its bladder is the lower the leakage is!
Doggy diapers: While not a cure in and of itself they can prove to be an excellent option to dogs (and their pet owners) who suffer from incontinence. For a comprehensive guide to selecting the best diaper for your dog visit this page!

Wrapping it Up

The bottom line is that Proin is a drug that was designed to be used for long-term lengths of duration. Proin is a treatment, not a cure, therefore it is possible that problems with urine leakage could be recurred when a dog is removed from the drug.

It doesn’t change however the reality that this may be a source of anxiety for dog owners as we consider whether our pet is required to take medication throughout its existence, especially one with possibly strong side effects like Proin.

But so long as the dog isn’t nursing or pregnant or nursing, isn’t taking any other medications, does not have any other medical conditions that are pre-existing and isn’t experiencing any adverse reactions, it’s usually appropriate to continue taking Proin until the situation improves or improves.

If your dog shows improvement in the leakage symptoms It may be possible to lower the dose of Proin very slowly to determine whether the improvement is maintained.

If your dog is unable to take to Proin well, alternative options consist of estrogen (DES) as well as natural homeopathic remedies like “Leaks No More”.

Other supplements that are natural, such as apple cider vinegar as well as urinary support tablets can also prove beneficial, so be sure to test them for your dog , if there is nothing else that seems to be effective!

Dogs