My Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who is four years old, may be having incontinence issues. She only seems to have a problem while she’s sleeping. She often leaves a puddle behind when she gets up. However, when she’s awake, we haven’t had any problems. She follows a natural diet, exercises frequently, and maintains a healthy weight. Are there any natural remedies I can try for my dog’s incontinence?
We addressed this inquiry to Carolyn Blakey, DVM, of Richmond, Indiana’s Westside Animal Clinic. Dr. Blakey has been a veterinarian for 32 years, the last four of which have been spent in an exclusively holistic setting. She particularly likes working with clients across the nation as a holistic veterinary consultant.
Incontinence in spayed females is fairly common. The issue is brought on by a deficiency in estrogen, which was undoubtedly caused by the spay operation. Numerous individuals believe that when females are spayed, the veterinarian simply “ties the tubes,” that is, severing and tying off the fallopian tubes to prevent the ovum from traveling from the ovaries, down the fallopian tubes, and becoming fertilized. Actually, the ovaries and frequently the uterus are removed by the veterinarian. The reason for this is that you want the woman to not only be unable to become pregnant but also to not display heat symptoms. The ovaries are where the majority of estrogen is produced. Even if you just tie the fallopian tubes, the dog will continue to behave differently due to the cyclical changes in estrogen levels. The dog stops going into heat if the ovaries, which are the site of estrogen production, are removed.
However, estrogen significantly contributes to maintaining the tonal quality of the urethra, the bladder’s neck. Some dogs lose their tonal quality to the point where they can’t quite prevent leaking when they aren’t receiving estrogen. (Some elderly women experience incontinence after menopause due to the same phenomenon; without estrogen, the tissues become inelastic. The adrenal glands also secrete a tiny amount of estrogen, and I’d hazard a guess that in dogs with incontinence, the adrenals secrete less estrogen than usual.
Hormone replacement therapy used to be the suggested course of treatment for incontinence in spayed females. However, this method may result in more undesirable symptoms than it treats. If you wanted to use the hormone replacement therapy, I would suggest enlisting the help of a really good endocrinologist to help you dial in the dosage as precisely as possible. Namely, the dogs come back into heat; they exhibit all the signs we’re so not fond of!
I wish I could say that alternative medicine has a fantastic solution for the issue, but I haven’t yet discovered it. I’ve heard of a variety of approaches, and occasionally I’m fortunate and one of them actually works, but it seems to be a very personal thing.
Sometimes it appears that a glandular supplement can help to resolve the issue. I enjoy the Standard Process supplement line, and their “Cataplex F,” a female glandular supplement, has worked well for some dogs. Additionally, some of my clients who received acupuncture at some of the acupuncture points that influence the reproductive system reported success. The kidneys and the entire reproductive system are associated with Bladder 23, which is the first thing that comes to mind.
My preferred treatment is not holistic, but it doesn’t have as many negative side effects as hormone replacement therapy. I use a drug called phenylpropanolamine, a decongestant. It activates the nervous system region that regulates the smooth muscles and glands. It influences the alpha receptors in the mucosa of the respiratory tract and the vaginal tract, assisting the dog in better controlling and tightening the bladder muscles.
This medication costs little when bought over the counter, and from what I’ve observed, it has no significant side effects. Good luck, and ask your veterinarian about the dosage for your dog.
Causes of Overproduction of Estrogen in Dogs
Treatment of Overproduction of Estrogen in Dogs
The cause, severity, and sex of your dog’s estrogen overproduction will all affect the course of treatment. If hormone supplementation results in excessive estrogen production, the therapy will be stopped right away. The following step will be to stabilize your dog, which may involve giving him antibiotics and receiving blood transfusions, depending on how serious his condition is. In order to stabilize your dog’s sexual hormones, definitive treatment usually entails surgical neutering or spaying, and is usually curative. Depending on the size and location of the mass or cyst, additional treatment options may include removing the affected organ entirely, such as the testicles or ovaries. Medication to boost bone marrow production may be prescribed if your dog has decreased blood production. Some female dogs with ovarian cysts may be given medication to trigger ovulation.
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Sometimes, estrogens cause abnormal (cystic) cells to line the uterus, allowing bacteria from the vagina to invade. While “heat” keeps the cervix open, closing it can result in a dangerous infection (pyometra). Additionally, a high estrogen level can lead to infertility and a blood-chemistry imbalance, as well as both.
Female dogs naturally produce a hormone called estrogen. It is in charge of regulating female reproductive system function and normal sexual behavior and development. Hyperestrogenism, also known as estrogen toxicity, can be caused by excessive estrogen production. Either naturally occurring estrogens or artificially introduced estrogens can cause this, depending on the circumstances.
Do not administer estrogen-containing substances unless your veterinarian advises you to. Females will undergo tests to determine whether ovulation is occurring.
Be ready to provide your pet with long-term care as recovery could take several months. Provide prescribed medications with caution, and keep track of any changes in your pet. To assess your pet’s response to the therapy, blood tests (and occasionally bone-marrow biopsies) must be carried out.
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FAQ
What does estrogen do to dogs?
Dogs and cats are thought to be toxic to high estrogen doses. If administered excessively, it can quickly result in bone marrow issues. It causes problems with the blood cells, including platelets, which the body needs for clotting, white blood cells, which fight infection, and red blood cells, which carry oxygen.
Is there estrogen for dogs?
Estrogen can also sometime be given to dogs-e. g. estrogen administered as a mismate shot (no longer a recommended course of treatment), unintentionally by owners who may be using transdermal creams or gels for hormone replacement therapy, or accidentally ingesting some birth control pills.
Do female dogs have testosterone?
Neutered and spayed dogs are deficient in testosterone. Testosterone is crucial for maintaining bone density and muscle mass (and yes, intact female dogs produce and need it too).
Do female dogs get hormonal after being spayed?
Within the first three weeks following spaying, a female dog should resume acting normally due to the prevention of abrupt hormonal changes. However, spaying does not change your dog’s personality. If those are her typical personality traits, she won’t become any less hyper or aggressive after having a spay.