Effect of Phenylpropanolamine and Pseudoephedrine on the Urethral Pressure Profile and Continence Scores of Incontinent Female Dogs

Abstract

Background: Traditionally, treatment of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs has been to increase urethral sphincter tone with estrogen compounds or a-agonists. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the most frequently used a-agonist for this condition, but increased cost and decreased availability of PPA as an over-the-counter medication have prompted interest in alternative therapies that may provide the same degree of efficacy. Pseudoephedrine (PD), an a-agonist and stereoisomer of ephedrine, is more cost-effective and available without a prescription. Hypothesis: PD will not differ from PPA in its effects on urodynamic variables and owner-reported continence scores or in observed adverse effects. Animals: Nine spayed female dogs with a history of urinary incontinence drawn from the clinical patient population at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at The Ohio State University. Methods: A randomized, double-blind crossover study evaluating changes in urodynamic variables, owner-reported continence score, and adverse effects in dogs treated with 1.5 mg/kg PO q8h PPA or PD. Results: Changes in maximum urethral closure pressure and functional area after PPA therapy were significantly higher than after PD therapy. There was no change in the functional profile length after either treatment. There was a significant increase in the continence score after PPA therapy, but not after PD therapy. More adverse effects were observed in dogs treated with PD than with PPA. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Although some dogs clinically improved, lack of statistically significant changes in urodynamic variables and owner perception of continence as well as the increased incidence of adverse effects make PD a less satisfactory alternative to PPA for the treatment of urinary incontinence in female dogs.

Urodynamic investigation by telemetry in Beagle dogs: validation and effects of oral administration of current urological drugs: a pilot study

“…In this study, no change in urethral smooth muscle electrical activity was observed following oral PPA administration. This finding contradicts previous work showing that PPA is effective in improving urethral function in continent and incontinent bitches [35-39]. After two weeks of PPA administration, a clear trend towards decreased detrusor threshold pressure and increased voided volume was observed.…”

Association of pruritus with anxiety or aggression in dogs

“…[21][22][23][24][25] Therefore, it is probable that the higher prevalence of aggression in nonpruritic dogs in the subset of dogs that received behavior-modifying medications resulted from a combination of irritability attributable to the underlying illness (other than dermatologic disease); irritability and disinhibition of aggression attributable to specific medications; and, in part, inclusion of dogs with preexisting behavioral problems. When dogs treated with potentially behavior-modifying medications were excluded from the analysis, there was still no association between pruritus and aggression.…”

Retrospective Evaluation of Urethral Bovine Cross‐Linked Collagen Implantation for Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in Female Dogs

“…A previously published continence scoring system was utilized in this study 6 . A continence score was assigned based on the answers given by the client before and after the GAX implantation procedure, as described below:…”