The Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Incurin (estriol), the first drug approved for urinary incontinence in dogs. Incurin is indicated for the control of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs. Hormone-based urinary incontinence is a common problem in middle-aged and elderly spayed female dogs. The pet can urinate normally, but leaks urine while resting. Physical examination and blood and urine tests are usually normal in these pets. Hormone-responsive incontinence can occur months to years after a dog is spayed. Incurin is manufactured by Merck Animal Health of Summit, N.J. The product was submitted for approval when Merck was known as Intervet Inc. Incurin is a natural estrogen hormone that increases the resting muscle tone of the urethra. The drug can also be used to treat female dogs with urinary incontinence due to estrogen depletion. In a study of 226 spayed female dogs, a greater percentage of dogs treated with Incurin improved compared to dogs treated with placebo. Incurin was shown to be effective for the control of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs 1 year and older. Loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive water drinking and swollen vulva are some of the drug’s side effects. The drug isn’t yet available through veterinarians. <Home>
