Drugs - Part 3: IVDD Bladder Drugs
There is no substitute for good veterinary care.
This information is for educational purposes only and should NOT be used in place of consultation with your veterinarian.
When Things Don’t Work Right
Usually, after learning the exact technique, figuring out the perfect timing, and getting into a routine, expressing going very smoothly. Learning to express a dog’s bladder can be challenging enough but when a dog’s sphincter simply doesn’t want to cooperate, it can be very difficult or nearly impossible. There can be many reasons why a paralyzed dog’s sphincter does not open easily due to nerve damage from a disc episode; but don’t worry, we won’t go into all the technical details of what may have happened. Let’s just say that urination is actually a complex function requiring several different sets of muscles both in the bladder and sphincter to all work together properly, and that doesn’t always happen with a paralyzed dog or a dog with nerve damage. Muscle spasms in the sphincter can make expressing very difficult. The good news is that there are medications that can help. Many dogs don’t ever need these drugs at all; but occasionally, some dogs do. For those dogs that do, these medications can really help.
Phenoxybenzamine
Phenoxybenzamine relaxes the urethral sphincter muscles, which can relax the urethra, allowing urine to pass more easily.
Reasons Why Your Dog May Not Be Able To Take Phenoxybenzamine:
If your dog has heart or kidney problems your dog may not be able to take phenoxybenzamine.
Possible Side Effects Your Dog May Experience:
(Should your dog have any of these, please notify your vet immediately.)
Nausea
Vomiting
Low blood pressure
Weakness
Dizziness
· Rapid heart beat
Dilated Pupils
Medications That Interact With Phenoxybenzamine:
Epinephrine
Phenylephrine
Reserpine
Bethanechol Chloride
Bethanechol chloride strengthens the bladder muscle’s contractions. If the lower sphincter is too tight or has spasms from nerve damage, this medication will help the bladder to contract harder to overcome it. If the bladder is loose due to lack of muscle strength, bethanechol chloride will help it regain strength so that it can empty urine in a controlled way rather than just leaking.
Reasons Why Your Dog May Not Be Able To Take Bethancechol Chloride:
Your dog probably will not be able to take benthanechol chloride if your dog has certain heart problems, low blood pressure, stomach or intestinal ulcers, over-active thyroid, urinary obstruction, weak bladder wall, epilepsy, or asthma.
Possible Side Effects Your Dog May Experience:
(Should your dog have any of these, please notify your vet immediately.)
Not wanting to eat
Nausea
Vomiting
Drooling
Need to urinate more often
Medications That Interact With Bethanechol Chloride:
Bethanechol chloride works well together with diazepam and/or phenoxybenzamine.
Other Info:
Bethanechol chloride should be given on an empty stomach to avoid nausea and/or vomiting.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2153
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/bethanechol-urecholine-etc/page1.aspx
Prazosin
Prazosin is an older drug used to treat congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and also urethral sphincter spasms.
Reasons Why Your Dog May Not Be Able To Take Prazosin:
If your dog has low blood pressure or kidney failure your dog probably will not be able to take prazosin.
Possible Side Effects Your Dog May Experience:
(Should your dog have any of these, please notify your vet immediately.)
Not wanting to eat
Lack of energy and drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Dilated pupils
Medications That Interact With Prazosin:
Most all are used to treat heart and blood pressure problems:
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Verapamil
Nifedipine
Clonidine may decrease the effects of prazosin
Other Info:
Should be given with food.