Bring your dog to the veterinarian with urinary incontinence and, once a urinary tract infection is ruled out, he or she is likely to prescribe Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). While this might be a necessary treatment for some dogs, a simple look at your pet's diet might solve the problem.
PPA - The Standard Remedy
PPA is a medication that was taken off the market for humans in 1999 due to dangerous side-effects including hemorhagic stroke, acute psychosis, heart damage and others as reported by the PPA-Ephedrine Health Information and Legal Help website.
While less severe, the potential side-effects in dogs include restlessness, irritability, and increased heart rate. Even more significant is the fact that once begun, this medication is usually required for the rest of the life of your pet. Are you ready to commit your dog to a life dependent on this strong medication with these potential side-effects if it isn't necessary?
Change in Diet Can Lead to Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
As a concerned pet owner, there is one simple and crucial step that you can take at home that may help avoid a medical intervention altogether. In fact, this might even save you money on unnecessary (even if harmless) herbal remedies.
If your dog's incontinence appeared suddenly with no other seemingly related medical issues or symptoms, think about whether you have recently begun feeding your pet a different kind of food or a new brand of treats. You might even have to investigate beyond your own home if your dog wanders freely, as one of your good-hearted neighbors may be plying your pup with goodies. This could be the cause of the incontinence, particularly if the new food has a high grain content.
Remove the new food item from your dog's diet and, if that was the cause, you are likely to see the symptoms disappear within a day or two. If they don't, then it is time to go see the vet.
The Medical Route
Many dogs will require medication to remedy incontinence. For those pet owners - and their couches - it is wonderful that PPA is available as an option.
You can learn more about the use of PPA in treating urinary incontinence in dogs by reading Lorie Huston's article, "Proin for Dogs."
Mary Straus, on the DogAware website, explores a number of conventional and alternative treatment options in "Incontinence in Dogs." The article also includes a rare reference to the connection between diet and incontinence.
Most veterinarians, as with most medical doctors, are trained to look first for pharmaceutical solutions to ailments. While medication is often necessary, don't you owe it to yourself and your pets to explore the simpler and healthier solutions first?
Mark Jordahl - I am a writer, naturalist, educator and safari leader living in Kampala, Uganda. I live by the words "May your path go ever forward but ...
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