Neuter and spay incontinence can be a confusing and
frustrating thing to deal with, especially if an owner doesn't realize
such complications can arise.
Spay Incontinence
After a female dog is spayed, their level of the female hormone,
estrogen, is significantly lower. Estrogen plays a part in constricting
the sphincter muscles dogs use to urinate. The lack of estrogen means a
lack of that tone needed to control her sphincter. The adrenal glands
also produce estrogen, albeit in small amounts. This is usually enough
to keep the sphincter muscles working properly, but in about 20% of
cases, this isn't so. Male dogs also suffer this (with the lack of
testosterone) however it's not generally as much of a problem as it is
with female dogs.
You might notice your dog leaving behind small wet spots where she's
been lying down. Or sometimes she might be a little damp around her
hindquarters. This can be attributed to spay incontinence.
Larger breeds are at risk of spay incontinence, such as German
Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers or Boxers. More recent studies have found
spaying your dog before her first heat reduces the chances of spay
incontinence by almost half.
What Medications for Spay Incontinence
There are a number of medications your dog can take to help alleviate
or remove her problem. Drugs such as Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
work well to stimulate the sphincter muscles directly. PPA is sold in
brand-names like Propalin and Proin.
Hormone Supplements
Since spay incontinence is a result of low estrogen, it makes sense
that replacing that estrogen would help fix the problem. Estrogen is
generally given once a day for about a week, and then decreased to three
times a week. The hormone replacement stilbestrol is a sugar-coated
pink pill usually quite effective.
Other Options
There are, of course, other options that may work better for you and
your dog.
Dog diapers are available at most pet stores. These are primarily
used for female dogs in their heat cycles, but work just as well for
incontinence issues.
Herbal remedies, such as corn silk, have worked for some.
This comes in the form of capsules, tincture or tea. Corn silk is not
the only herb, of course; the following have also been found to work:
-
nettle root
-
uva ursi
-
marshmallow
Corn silk works as an anti-inflammatory for the urinary tract and
helps get rid of urine more frequently. Unlike many medicines, corn silk
can be used for long periods of time with little or no side-effects.
Fennel is another herb, often added to your dog's drinking water,
with reports of high success. Fennel had been used for centuries in
human mothers to help with milk production for nursing. Fennel is also
high in vitamins A and C, iron, potassium and calcium. The reason fennel
is thought to work so well is because of the estrogen-like properties
it carries.
Dietary changes could benefit your dog as well. Many dog
owners report limiting or removing grain from their dog's diet helped
spay related incontinence issues. Grain (such as wheat or rice) can
irritate a dog's bladder and inflame the urinary tract. This goes for
the food they eat, as well as any treats you may be giving her.