Treatment of bitches with acquired urinary incontinence with oestriol
European study of oestriol as a treatment for incontinent bitches
source: P.J.J. Mandigers and T. Nell
Veterinary Record December 22 2001 vol 149 no25, December 22 2001
A study using 129 incontinent bitches from 48 vets in four European countries has found that 83% of the bitches treated with oestriol tablets had improved after 42 days. Incontinence occurs in between 11% and 20% of spayed bitches, and has been linked to lack of oestrogen, though the role that oestrogen plays is unclear. Bladder storage function and urethral closure can be improved with oestriol treatment, partly through an increase in the urethra's functional length. Some oestrogens have been links to bone marrow depletion, and reports of this side effect concern synthetic oestrogen. Oestriol that occurs naturally has been tested on dogs, and no significant haematological changes has been found.
The bitches in this study came from the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium, and were at least a year old, with no incontinence problems when they were under a year old. Spayed bitches accounted for 124 of the total. There was a range of breeds, with the most numerous being boxers, accounting for 21.8% of the sample, and dobermanns, accounting for 8.4%.
Twelve bitches did not respond to initial treatment, and did not complete the course. Continence was achieved in 61% of the bitches, an improvement was achieved for 24%, while 14% of the bitches showed no change, and 3% worsened. Dose rate schedules varied on an individual basis, and were unrelated to the severity of the bitches' incontinence or their bodyweight. Some of the bitches had side effects, such as swollen teats, especially at the start of the treatment. Short-acting oestriol appears to be a safer treatment than long-acting oestrogens, though there may be a risk of pyometra if this treatment is used on intact bitches. This treatment appears to be successful as well as safe, though more research is needed.
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