You might have been advised by pet owners or even your veterinarian, that you shouldn’t wean your pet off Proin immediately in fear of adverse consequences. However you do not wish for your dog to be constantly weighed down by the often-discredited incontinence medicine.
If you’re wondering to yourself, “Can I wean my dog off Proin?”
The fact is that the best answer will differ for each dog. There have been numerous instances that owners suddenly and totally ended Proin administration and their pet was not the less for it.
There’s also a slight possibility that gradually getting an animal off Proin which is working doesn’t cause it to return to the state of leakage.
This is largely contingent on the cause for the incontinence. It could vary from neurological problems or prostatic disease to urinary tract infections.
While Proin is usually prescribed for indefinite, long-term time frames, a reduction in dosage is possible when the results are favorable.
If you don’t want to completely wean an animal off Proin it is more efficient and effective to deal with any leakage with a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications.
Proin isn’t the sole dog medication for incontinence and other medications like estrogen could be substituted in the event that your veterinarian discovers it has caused adverse side effects that are significant. There are alternatives that are more natural and can aid your dog with this ailment.
Whatever the chemical utilized regardless of the chemical used, the prognosis for treatment of incontinence for dogs is usually positive, and it can be beneficial to try different options!
First Things First: How Did My Dog Become Incontinent?
Incontinence is a common occurrence in dogs, affecting particularly, females who were spayed before the age of 6 months. age. It’s also more prevalent for larger breeds of dogs than smaller breeds.
Incontinence can be caused by numerous other problems like:
- 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 above problems can result in weak or overloaded sphincter muscles surrounding the urethra. This could cause an inability to properly hold urine.
When the urethral sphincter which is usually an obstruction, no longer performs in the way it should, it is normal for leakage to take place. In most cases, involuntary urination happens at times of rest, sleep , or even during your dog walks leisurely around.
Before a dog is put on a prescription medication such as Proin (PPA) then the vet must run tests like urine analysis, xrays, and blood tests to rule out any unrelated causes and ensure that the usage of the medication is appropriate and efficient.
Proin is the most effective for cases of incontinence caused by hormones or spaying or neutering. Many dogs who suffer from leakage because of these causes respond well in response 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?
The dosage recommended for Proin will be 0.91mg per pound body weight. This is taken twice a daily in half-tablet increments.
If a dose is not taken take it as soon as you notice. However, if it’s near the time to take your next dosage, avoid completely and then go back to your normal dose schedule. Do not give two doses of Proin in a row to cover an unintentional dose.
Be cautious not to keep the bottle of Proin open or to leave pieces scattered on the ground, since the medication is flavorful and attractive to dogs.
There have been incidents of pets chewing up closed bottles to reach the bits, therefore, make sure to keep them out of their 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?
Most of the time, Proin is safe for pets that have a healthy general health. It has been proven effective for many dogs to assist in the management of urinary incontinence triggered by an unnatural loss of muscle tension in the urethral sphincter.
However, it is not recommended for the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs that are caused by other causes, such as urinary tract diseases or neurological conditions. Proin’s safety for pregnant or nursing dogs is not evaluated.
Each medication comes with its own set of negative side effects, and it is possible to cause adverse reactions in some dogs. Proin unfortunately, is not an exception.
Pet owners must consult their vet as well as be informed of potential negative consequences so that they are able to make informed choices.
Proin has been reported as causing a wide range of adverse reactions, ranging from benign to extreme. A typical mild side effect is increased thirst, therefore it is vital to make sure your pet has access to clean drinking water that is fresh and clean.
Proin is not recommended by dogs who have an existing heart, liver or kidney disease or sufferers of diabetes or hypertension, such as glaucoma, diabetes, or diabetes. Proin should not be taken with other medications, like antidepressants or blood pressure medications.
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:
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Gums with pale gums as well as tongue
- Genital discharges that are abnormal.
- Appetite loss
- In stools, blood.
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!
In Summary
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!