Incurin vs. Proin for canine incontinence

It's not uncommon to find "accidents" around the house occasionally. However, if your dog is fully housetrained, finding urine spots could indicate that your dog is experiencing urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is a common health issue, especially in older dogs and females. This uncontrollable urine leakage can cause discomfort and stress for the dog while posing significant difficulty in maintaining hygiene for pet parents.

If your dog has been diagnosed with urinary incontinence, there are solutions available to help them. Keep reading to learn more about two FDA-approved urinary incontinence drugs: Incurin vs. Proin for dogs.

Get Incurin online today to help manage your dog’s urinary incontinence. 

• Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
• Incurin
• Proin
• Comparing Incurin Vs. Proin for Dogs
• FAQs
• Final Notes

Canine incontinence

Urinary incontinence in dogs is the inability to control urination, leading to involuntary urination. This common health issue can occur at any age, but is most common in older dogs and spayed females.

Symptoms of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is not the same as a dog willfully urinating in the home. You won't find large wet puddles of urine. Instead, you'll find dribblings that can occur when your dog is walking or lying down.

Dogs experiencing incontinence may have damp legs or bellies because they've involuntarily urinated on themselves. They may also have an unpleasant odor.

Another common sign is irritation or excessive licking of the penis or vulva because they're trying to clean themselves.

Causes of urinary incontinence

Your dog can become incontinent for many reasons, including:

• Ectopic ureters: This is the most common cause of incontinence in young dogs. With this condition, one or both tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder don’t connect properly, making it difficult for dogs to control urine flow.
• Neurologic problems: Nerve-related issues can decrease urethral closure pressure, leading to urinary incontinence.
• Hormone-responsive incontinence: This can affect both male and female dogs, but it’s most common in spayed females. When hormone levels are too low to maintain proper urinary sphincter control, it can result in weakened urethral muscles (urethral sphincter hypotonus).

• Age-related sphincter weakness: As dogs get older, the urinary sphincter can weaken over time, increasing the likelihood of urine leakage.

Underlying health conditions: Issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or urinary obstructions can cause temporary incontinence. Once these conditions are treated, incontinence typically resolves along with other symptoms.

Urinary incontinence treatments

Urinary incontinence in dogs is often treated with surgery and medications. However, the specific treatment for your dog will depend on the underlying cause. For instance, if your dog is suffering from a UTI, your vet will prescribe an antibiotic, and the symptoms should clear up within a few days.

If your dog is experiencing urinary incontinence that’s not due to an underlying disease, there are other urinary health medications they can try to prevent involuntary urination.

Incurin for dogs

Incurin, also known as estriol, is a medication used to treat hormone-responsive urinary incontinence in female dogs who have been spayed. Estriol is a naturally occurring hormone that can help strengthen the bladder's muscles and urinary sphincter and reduce incidents of incontinence.

It works by supplementing the lowered estrogen levels that may occur in spayed females to improve muscle tone and reduce urine leakage. Incurin has been proven effective in reducing or eliminating urinary incontinence, with 93 percent of dogs improving or fully continent by six weeks.

Incurin tablets are administered orally with dogs starting with a once-daily dose of 2 mg. Unlike other medications, the dosage is not determined by weight.

Talk to a vet today to see if Incurin is right for your dog. 

Proin for dogs

Proin, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, is a once-daily medication used to treat urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter hypotonus.

This medication works by stimulating the smooth muscles of the urethra, bladder neck, and urethral sphincter to increase muscle tone and close the neck of the bladder, providing more control and less leakage.

In a study conducted by the FDA, 119 dogs diagnosed with urethral sphincter hypotonus and who were already taking Proin Chewable Tablets were given Proin ER for 28 days. The main difference between these medications is that Proin ER is given once a day.

Their humans noted how many accidents the dogs had each day. 75 out of 104 dogs who completed the study had no accidents, while 19 had fewer accidents on Proin ER than with Proin Chewable tablets. 10 dogs in total had more accidents taking Proin ER than Proin Chewable Tablets.

Proin ER is administered once daily, regardless of a dog's weight. The brand's patented extended-release technology provides a controlled release to ensure steady absorption and constant therapeutic levels throughout the day to reduce instances of incontinence.

Side effects of Proin

Like Incurin, Proin side effects were generally mild, including vomiting, weight loss, hypertension, and diarrhea.

Unfortunately, some dogs shouldn't take Proin. For instance, dogs with pre-existing heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney insufficiency, diabetes, glaucoma, and other conditions associated with high blood pressure should avoid Proin. In addition, the effects on breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs have not been evaluated.

Comparing Incurin vs. Proin for dogs: What's the difference?

There are several key differences between Incurin and Proin, including the active ingredients, the gender of the dog that can be treated, the method of action, dosing, and potential side effects. Factors to keep in mind when comparing Incurin vs. Proin for dogs include:

• Active ingredient: Incurin contains estriol, a naturally occurring estrogen hormone that increases the levels of estrogen in spayed females to help strengthen the urinary sphincter muscles and improve urine control. On the other hand, Proin contains phenylpropanolamine, a synthetic compound that works by tightening the bladder sphincter muscles.
• Sex of dog treated: Because Incurin contains estriol, it's designed for use in spayed female dogs only. However, since Proin contains a synthetic, non-hormonal compound that works by tightening the urinary sphincter muscles, it can be used in both male and female dogs.
• Method of action: Incurin increases estrogen levels to strengthen the muscles of the urinary sphincter and improve urine control. On the other hand, Proin works by tightening the sphincter muscles to help control leakage.
• Dosing: Both medications are usually given once a day. However, the dosage for Incurin may be adjusted by the veterinarian based on the dog's response to treatment. Conversely, Proin ER is administered once daily regardless of weight due to its extended-release formula.

• Potential side effects: Both medications are generally well-tolerated but can have side effects. Incurin's side effects may include increased thirst and urination, decreased appetite, and vomiting. On the other hand, Proin's potential side effects include increased heart rate, loss of appetite, and hypertension.

How to choose between Incurin and Proin

So which option should you choose: Incurin or Proin? The only way to determine which medication is right for you is to discuss your options with a vet. If your dog has been diagnosed with urethral sphincter hypotonus, your veterinarian will consider various factors to determine the most suitable medication. This includes your dog's overall health, the severity of the symptoms, the specific cause of the incontinence, and how your dog may react to different medications.

For instance, Incurin, which contains a form of estrogen, is often used for spayed female dogs suffering from hormone-responsive incontinence. On the other hand, Proin, which strengthens the bladder sphincter muscles, can be used for both male and female dogs with urinary incontinence due to various causes.

Both of these medications can effectively manage urinary incontinence, but their suitability will depend on your dog's specific circumstances. The veterinarian will guide you through the process, explaining the benefits and potential side effects of each option.

Remember, it's important to monitor your dog's response to the prescribed treatment and report any changes or concerns to the vet.

Consider the cause of your dog’s incontinence

Urinary incontinence in dogs can have several underlying causes, including hormonal changes, urinary tract infections, neurological issues, or age-related muscle weakness. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding an effective treatment plan and improving your dog’s comfort and quality of life.

Review your dog’s medication history

Some medications can contribute to or worsen urinary incontinence. Take note of any prescriptions, supplements, or recent changes to your dog’s routine, as this information can help a veterinarian determine whether medication adjustments or alternative treatments are needed.

Talk to a vet

A licensed veterinarian can evaluate your dog’s symptoms, diagnose the underlying issue, and recommend appropriate treatment options. If an in-person visit isn’t convenient, Dutch offers an easy telemedicine option, allowing you to consult a vet from home, get expert guidance, and receive prescriptions when appropriate—without the stress of a clinic visit.

Join Dutch today to consult a vet online and get your dog the urinary care they need.

Manage your dog’s urinary incontinence with Dutch

Urinary incontinence in dogs is a manageable condition with the right approach and medication. Proin and Incurin are both generally well tolerated among dogs and have shown significant success in managing incontinence by strengthening the urinary sphincter to control the release of urine.

Each dog's needs are unique, so you should always consult with a vet to determine the best treatment option.

Get vet-prescribed relief for dog urinary incontinence—order Incurin through Dutch today.

You can get a prescription for Incurin through Dutch telemedicine for pets today alongside expert veterinary guidance from the comfort of your home. With a Dutch membership, you can consult licensed vets online, receive a personalized evaluation of your pet’s symptoms, get an accurate diagnosis, and have the right medication prescribed when appropriate. 

Skip the clinic visit and order your dog’s medicine directly from Dutch’s online pet pharmacy.

Incurin vs Proin FAQs

How long can a dog stay on Incurin?

The length of time a dog remains on Incurin is largely determined by the medication's effectiveness. If Incurin is successful in reducing urinary leakages, it's generally safe for your dog to stay on this treatment for an extended period, potentially indefinitely.

However, it's crucial to have regular veterinary check-ups. These appointments allow the vet to watch for any potential side effects and to ensure that the medication continues to work effectively for your dog.

Can you give a dog Proin and Incurin together?

Sometimes there's no need to decide between Incurin vs. Proin. It's safe for your dog to take Proin and Incurin together. Both medications are used to treat urinary incontinence in different ways, but they can also work together to provide a synergistic effect, making them stronger and more effective.

What is the best incontinence medicine for female dogs?

The best incontinence medicine for female dogs largely depends on their needs. Incurin and Proin are FDA-approved and have been proven effective, but there are several key differences that may make one the better option for your pet. Your vet may also want to try using both together.

The choice between Incurin vs. Proin should be made with your vet, who will consider your dog's health, underlying causes of the incontinence, and potential for side effects. In addition, your vet will require regular follow-ups to monitor the effectiveness of the medication and your dog's overall response to it.