Some Advice Regarding Ditropan For Dogs

[Boronia]

My Mac, 13y/o Westie, sometimes has a wee overnight, occasionally during the day also if I don't take him outside every 2-->3 hours to urinate...it leaks out, not much, but enough to make his hair on his tummy pong and discolour. I need to wash him underneath at least every 2-->3 days, and sometimes more frequently.

I was chatting to my doctor today and he said that if he were a human he would prescribe 5mg Ditropan tablets. he suggested exploring this option.

Has anyone here given this medication to their dog?

Here is a little simplified info:

What is Ditropan?

Ditropan (oxybutynin) reduces muscle spasms of the bladder and urinary tract.

Ditropan is used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, such as frequent or urgent urination, incontinence (urine leakage), and increased night-time urination.

And:

To make sure you can safely take Ditropan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

glaucoma;

liver disease;

kidney disease;

an enlarged prostate;

ulcerative colitis;

a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis; or

a stomach disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or slow digestion

Thanks :)

Edited September 27, 2012 by Boronia

[persephone]

What does your vet say? He's the one who knows your dog's state of health best ..and as the dog is quite old , there may be other considerations?

[Boronia]

Yes, I am going to do that next time I see the vet. I was just interested if there is anyone here that was/is familiar with this medication.

I wasn't planing to buy some and give them to Mac...just after Ditropan for doggies info

[Rappie]

It is not a drug that I am familiar with using but it is used occasionally. In older dogs, urine leakage is often with incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism that would usually prevent urine from exiting the bladder. It occurs most often when asleep or at rest but can also cause dribbling while they are walking around. Urge incontinence or overactive bladder is not something commonly recognised without there being an underlying cause such as chronic cystitis, uroliths or a mass within the bladder.

In a dog of this age, I would consider a urinalysis and perhaps general blood tests to look for underlying causes that may increase water intake (or at least measure the water intake) first. Making sure there is a late night pee break to prevent excess bladder filling may also help. There are medications to improve the urethral sphincter tone which may be more appropriate for you dog. Ditropan is something that would only be used when all other causes of incontinence have been ruled out (or there is a specific condition identified that would be reasonably associated with urge incontinence).

Edited September 29, 2012 by Rappie

[Boronia]

Thanks for that Rappie. I am taking him to the vet shortly to get the hair between his front-feet-toes clipped (he has a phobia) so I'll ask the vet to do bloods and get ideas on treatment for his wee problem.

He doesn't drink more often than normally.

He is just a stinky wee boy