When it comes to female dogs, Incurin is a drug that many vets recommend for urinary incontinence. Incurin provides a dependable solution to manage incontinence, which can be a distressing sight to witness in your beloved pet.
In this article we will see how incurin works for dogs and what is the right dosage, advantages and side effects of this medication.
What Is Incurin?
Estriol, sold under the brand name Incurin, is an estrogen hormone that occurs naturally and is used to treat female dogs with urine incontinence that is caused by hormones.
The Food and Drug Administration gave their stamp of approval for veterinary use only, giving dog owners a much-needed choice for their pets with this condition.
estriol helps decrease or eliminate involuntary urine leakage by strengthening the urethral sphincter.
What is the Impact of Urinary Incontinence on Dogs?
When a dog loses control of its bladder and pees uncontrollably, this condition is known as urinary incontinence. This ailment tends to worsen with age in spayed female dogs.
A number of medical conditions, including hormonal shifts following spaying, weak urethral sphincter muscles, and others, can cause incontinence.
Some symptoms of urinary incontinence in dogs include:
- Frequent urination or dribbling of urine
- Wet spots where your dog has been lying or sitting
- Irritation or licking of the genital area due to urine contact
- Strong odor due to urine leakage
Infections, skin irritation, and discomfort are possible outcomes of urinary incontinence if the condition is not addressed. A trip to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine will provide you with all the info you need about canine urine incontinence.
How Does Incurin Work?
The hormone imbalance that frequently happens after spaying can be remedied with Incurin by supplementing estriol. Incontinence and weaker urethral muscles can result from an estrogen deficiency, which is essential for maintaining urethral muscle tone.
Incurin helps by re-establishing estrogen levels, which in turn strengthens these muscles, enabling improved control over the need to pee.
When Is Incurin Prescribed?
When it comes to hormone-responsive urine incontinence, Incurin is most often prescribed to spayed female dogs by veterinarians. While spayed females of a younger age are less likely to experience this condition, it does affect dogs of middle age and older.
After other possible causes of incontinence, such as neurological issues, urinary tract infections, or bladder stones have been eliminated, your veterinarian will likely prescribe Incurin.
When it comes to hormone-related incontinence, it’s thought to be a safe and effective treatment. The American Veterinary Medical Association has more resources regarding hormone-responsive urine incontinence.
How Much Incurin to Take and How to Take It?
Dogs sizes and the severity of their incontinence determine the appropriate dosage of Incurin. In order to get the desired results, veterinarians usually start with a low dose and adjust it as needed. The typical schedule for dosing is:
- The recommended starting dose of Incurin is one 1 mg tablet once daily.
- After a week or two, your vet may decide to change your dog’s dosage depending on how he or she is responding to the treatment.
- Adjust the dosage as needed, starting at half a milligram and going up to two milligrams daily.
After your dog’s incontinence is under control, your vet may recommend lowering the dosage even further or switching to a once-every-other-day administration schedule to determine the lowest effective dose.
Proper Dosage of Incurin
The tablet form of Incurin makes it convenient to take with or without meals. It is critical to administer the medication at the same time daily and to adhere strictly to your veterinarian’s instructions. The key to effectively managing urinary incontinence is consistency.
Disadvantages of Incurin on Canines
When it comes to urinary incontinence, Incurin has several major advantages for dogs:
Incurin is a great tool for helping dogs regain control of their bladder and reduce or eliminate accidents. The tablet form makes it easy to give your dog this medication with or without food.
Limited Adverse Reactions: Incurin is a well-tolerated choice for the majority of dogs because it has minimal side effects when given properly.
Food and Drug Administration-Approved: Pet owners can rest assured that Incurin is safe and effective because it has been approved for veterinary use by the FDA.
Risks Associated with Incurin
Although Incurin is well-tolerated by the majority of dogs, a small percentage may encounter moderate adverse effects. Some of the most common Incurin side effects are:
- Swollen vulva
- Increased thirst
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Changes in behavior (such as increased aggression)
Typically, these side effects won’t last long and aren’t too severe. But get in touch with your vet right away if you see any serious reactions like trouble breathing, excessive vomiting, or allergy symptoms.
Can All Dogs Take Incurin?
Incurin is formulated for use only in female dogs that have undergone spaying. Male dogs, females who have not been spayed, and pregnant animals should not use it.
The use of Incurin is also not recommended for dogs who already have certain medical issues, such as diabetes or liver disease. To make sure this medicine is safe and effective for your dog, you should always check with your vet.
Alternatives to Incurin
While Incurin is a popular treatment for urinary incontinence in dogs, it is not the only option. Other medications or treatments your vet may suggest include:
- Phenylpropanolamine (PPA): This is another commonly prescribed medication for urinary incontinence, which works by stimulating the muscles of the urethra.
- DES (Diethylstilbestrol): A synthetic estrogen alternative to Incurin, often used in cases where Incurin is not effective.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgical options such as urethral bulking agents may be considered to improve sphincter control.
- Bladder Support Supplements: Natural supplements containing ingredients like pumpkin seed extract or soy isoflavones can help improve bladder health and reduce leakage.
Your veterinarian can help you choose the best treatment option for your dog based on her individual needs and health condition. More information on alternative treatments can be found at the American Animal Hospital Association.
Summary
For female dogs that have had their tubes tied, Incurin is a safe and effective way to control urine incontinence.
By lowering the frequency and severity of accidents, this medicine can greatly enhance your dog’s quality of life if she experiences hormone-related incontinence.
Always check with your vet to be sure Incurin is safe for your dog before giving it any kind of dose or following their administration instructions.
Frequent Asking Questions (FAQs)
1. How Long Until Incurin Starts Working?
After beginning Incurin, the majority of dogs will begin to feel better within a week. The entire process might take up to fourteen days.
2. Will Incurin Really Eliminate Incontinence?
Although it helps with symptoms, Incurin does not eliminate incontinence completely. Medication for incontinence control is an ongoing need for many dogs.
3. How Safe is Incurin for Extended Use?
In most cases, Incurin is safe to give dogs over the long haul. To make sure the medicine is still working and to keep an eye on your dog’s health, it’s best to take him in for checkups at the vet regularly.
4. What Happens If I Forget to Take Incurin?
If you happen to forget to take a dose, make sure to take it right away. You should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose if your next scheduled dose is approaching. An overdose is not to be tolerated.
