For older dogs who have age-related physical changes that cause urine loss, hormone replacement therapy medications and alpha agonists may help. These include:
- Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (Proin), a commonly prescribed alpha agonist that strengthens the urinary sphincter muscles.
- Diethylstilbsterol (DES), one of the first synthetic estrogens prescribed for sterilization incontinence, and estriol, a more recent popular estrogen option (brand name Incurin).
It may require some experimentation or a combination of therapies to help your dog control urine leakage and/or loss of nerve and muscle control over urination. Female dogs, especially spayed ones, may respond better to a low dose of estrogen. Incurin is a short-acting estrogen that is extremely safe.
incontinence of female dogs
Oklahoma State University estimates that 5% to 20% of spayed dogs develop urinary sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) and says that the larger the dog, the more likely it is to happen. (See “The Best Age to Get Your Dog Spayed” for more on the connection between USMI and neutering.)
A recent study looked at injecting muscle stem cells into the urinary sphincter muscles in an attempt to regenerate healthy tissue. Although the study only included 15 bitches, 14 of them showed dramatic improvement.
Complementary Medicine Options
Acupuncture can improve incontinence in some dogs, and many people try different herbal compounds, such as corn silk or saw palmetto. Organic soy supplements somewhat mimic the activity of estrogen, but most find the results weak at best.
Tips for dealing with old dog incontinence
The most important thing to do is get diagnosed and treat any underlying medical conditions. For middle-aged dogs, barring birth defects like ectopic ureters, the most common cause is a bladder infection. That can be ruled out with a urinalysis. A urinalysis, with a complete blood panel, would detect health problems such as diabetes and kidney failure.
You can help your senior dog with incontinence with management. Try to take him outside often or provide “pee pads” or a litter box. Place waterproof, washable pads on top of your bedding and in places where you like to rest.
Most dogs will accept wearing a dog diaper, just be sure to clean and dry that area every day to prevent urine burns and skin irritation. Change the diaper frequently.
