Urinary incontinence in spayed bitches. Part 2: diagnosis and treatment

Treating and diagnosing incontinence in spayed bitches

source: S. Arnold
European Journal of Companion Animal Practice, vol IX(2) October 1999
starts p130, 4 pages long

The most common reason for bitches to be incontinent is an incompetent sphincter as a result of spaying, though there may be other causes such as bacterial cystitis, or congenital defects. Measurement of urethral pressure closure is a useful diagnostic tool, though it is expensive.

Alpha-adrenergic drugs such as Ephedrin or Phenylpropanolamine can be used to treat the problem by increasing urethral closure pressure through stimulating alpha-receptors in the wall of the urethra. Some 75% of affected bitches become continent with this treatment, with 25% showing some improvement. Raised arterial blood pressure may occur with some 10% of bitches given these drugs, and they are not recommended for dogs with glaucoma, cardia arrhythmia, or hypertension prior to treatment. Oestrogens are an alternative treatment, though oestrogen treatment may be linked to generalised bone marrow depression.

Teflon paste injections have been used successfully, though there have been complications such as rejection. Collagen injections have had a similar success rate, of some 75%, including dogs having second injections. Collagen does not involve the complications seen with Teflon injections. Collagen treatment is better than Teflon treatment, but it is too early to say whether Collagen treatment is risk free, and it is an expensive treatment.
DO,IN