Dog Incontinence Treatment with Sudafed

Even though dog incontinence is not listed among the health conditions treatable with Sudafed, it is believed that the symptoms of this disorder can benefit from the effects of Sudafed. Sudafed, which is also known under its generic name of pseudoephedrine, represents a drug that is primarily used for decreasing the dimensions of blood vessels in nasal passages. This is the medication of choice for veterinarians that need to treat canine incontinence.

How Sudafed Treats Dog Incontinence

Dog incontinence is a health condition that occurs more frequently in older dogs, even though there are other factors that may lead to involuntary urination. Besides aging, other possible causes of incontinence include:

  • Bladder infection
  • Excessive consumption of water because of diabetes or dilated cardio myopathy
  • Hormonal problems that impair the ability to hold urine

Incontinence may also develop in spayed females, especially in certain breeds such as the Doberman. Fortunately, Sudafed can help in the majority of the cases. In fact, the effectiveness of this drug ranges between 75 and 90 percent if the diagnosis is urethral sphincter incompetence. Keep in mind, though, that Sudafed addresses only the incontinence, and is not able to cure any of the underlying causes of this health condition.

The way Sudafed works as a treatment for dog incontinence is similar to its main purpose. The urethra is surrounded by blood vessels and by a smooth muscle. When Sudafed is administered, the blood vessels shrink and the muscle contracts, thus not allowing anymore of the urine to be passed involuntary.

Stilboestrol is another drug used for canine incontinence, but it needs to be administered in high doses in order to stay effective and such adverse reactions as bone marrow suppression may develop. In order to avoid such side effects, your dog should be given Sudafed along with Stilboestrol.

Recommended Dosage

Small dogs of up to 30 pounds should be given 30mg, while the ones exceeding this weight require 60mg. However, you are recommended to ask the veterinarian about the recommended dosage for your dog, as several other aspects, such as the severity of the symptoms, need to be taken into consideration. Talking to a veterinarian is recommended even though this drug is available without a prescription, as only the veterinarian can tell whether this drug is contraindicated or not for your dog.

Contraindications and Adverse Reactions

The use of Sudafed is not recommended if your dog suffers from any of the following health conditions:

Before administering this medication to your dog, you have to make sure he is not allergic to any of the active ingredients. Provided that the dog does not display an allergic reaction, there are still several side effects that may be noticed, such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fever
  • Flu symptoms
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Itching
  • Restlessness
  • Skin rash
  • Sleep problems
  • Uneven heartbeat

If you observe any of these symptoms, you need to contact the veterinarian, so a lower dosage is prescribed or an alternative drug is given to your dog. The veterinarian can also provide you an updated list of drugs with which Sudafed can interact. Such a list will also help you to avoid serious adverse reactions.

 

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