Exciting news from FDA

This is really exciting news! There are many Surgi Snuggly dogs who wear pads inside the Surgi Snuggly for issues related to urinary incontinence, how exciting to now have a medication to aid in this common issue!


FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Female Dogs

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.