Phenylpropanolamine: an alpha-adrenergic agent for the management of urinary incontinence in the bitch associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence

Ten bitches with urinary incontinence due to incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism were treated with phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride at a dose of either 1 mg/kg orally three times daily or 2 mg/kg orally once daily in a prolonged release formulation. The signs of incontinence resolved in all the bitches, and improvements were maintained over periods ranging from one to more than two years, except in one bitch which became refractory to treatment after three months. One bitch which was inadvertently treated at a dose rate of 2.5 mg/kg showed signs of lethargy and inappetence but returned to normal when the dose rate was reduced.     

Treatment of urinary incontinence in bitches by endoscopic injection of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen

Thirty-two spayed bitches with urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter incompetence, non-responsive to phenylpropanolamine administration, were treated by urethral submucosal injection of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen. Urinary incontinence resolved after a single injection in 19 of the bitches. Additional medication with phenylpropanolamine was necessary in five of these dogs, however. Of the 13 bitches that remained incontinent, the injections were repeated in nine. This resulted in a return to continence in five dogs, although two of these required additional medication for complete continence. The cure rate due to collagen injections alone is 53 per cent (17 of the 32 cases). A total of 41 injections were performed and no postoperative complications were observed.     

Clinical evaluation of a single daily dose of phenylpropanolamine in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in the bitch

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of a single daily oral dose of phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) in bitches. Nine bitches diagnosed with USMI were treated with a single daily dose [1.5 mg/kg body weight (BW)] of PPA for at least 1 month. Urethral pressure profiles (UPP) were performed in 7 dogs before treatment and repeated in 4 of them after treatment. Treatment with PPA resulted in long-term continence in 8/9 bitches. One dog did not respond to PPA and was treated surgically later. Recheck UPPs showed a significant increase in maximal urethral closure pressure in the 4 bitches after treatment with PPA compared to before treatment. In conclusion, long-term continence can be achieved in bitches affected with USMI after administration of a single daily dose of PPA (1.5 mg/kg BW).     

Efficacy, tolerance and acceptability of Incontex in spayed bitches with urinary incontinence

A clinical study about efficacy and acceptance of Incontex in spayed bitches with urinary incontinence was performed. In a randomised, double-blinded study the efficacy and acceptance of Incontex (Dr. E. Gr?ub AG, Bern, Schweiz) in bitches with urethral sphincter incompetence due to spaying was evaluated under field conditions. The active ingredient of the Incontex Syrup is phenylpropanolamine (PPA), an alpha1-adrenergic agonist. The study was performed using 24 spayed, incontinent bitches. Over a first period of treatment of 30 days the bitches received either Incontex, at 1.5 mg/kg twice per day, or a placebo. In the second period of 30 days all 24 bitches were treated with Incontex at the recommended dose. Any changes in the incontinence compared with the situation before the study were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 24 bitches 21 (88%) became continent and in 2 bitches (8%) urinary incontinence improved. In only 1 bitch (4%) the medication did have no effect. Five bitches (21%) showed side effects. The acceptance of Incontex was good. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Incontex can be recommended as an efficient and well-tolerated medication for the treatment of bitches with urinary incontinence after spaying. The oral application of 1.5mg/kg BW phenylpropanolamine twice daily has been approved.     

Potential of chemical regulation of food intake and body weight of broiler breeder chicks

1. Two experiments were performed to evaluate the potential of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and monensin sodium as appetite- and weight-control agents for Indian River broiler breeder chicks. 2. In experiment 1, a total of 300 day-old sexed broiler breeder chicks were individually weighed and placed in battery cages. They were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments, namely 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride added to a maize-soyabean meal basal diet. 3. In experiment 2, a total of 400 day-old sexed broiler breeder chicks were randomly assigned to 10 dietary treatments which were a combination of two concentrations of dietary crude protein (200 and 150 g/kg) and 5 different concentrations of added drugs in the diet, namely 0, 500 and 800 mg/kg of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride and 200 and 300 mg/kg of monensin sodium. 4. Food consumption and body weight gain were significantly reduced by feeding diets containing the drugs but mortality was not significantly affected. Birds showed evidence of increased tolerance, with age, to phenylpropanolamine but not to monensin. 5. Monensin sodium, at high inclusion rates, was found to be a more potent and effective appetite- and growth-depressing agent for broiler breeder chicks than phenylpropanolamine and may have application in broiler breeder production using an ad libitum feeding programme.     

A study of the aetiology of pseudopregnancy in the bitch and the effect of cabergoline therapy.

Thirty-two permanently pseudopregnant bitches were treated with the anti-prolactin drug cabergoline. They had all been ovariohysterectomised up to five months after their last season, in some cases over two years previously, when most were reported as showing no signs of the condition. The clinical signs were mainly behavioural, the majority being aggressive, and a small number were lactating. The efficiency of the cabergoline therapy was classified by the owners as 'excellent' or 'good' in 50 per cent of the cases, and fair in 36 per cent. The rate of success was markedly better than in similar cases treated with reproductive steroids. In all but one of the bitches, the plasma prolactin concentrations were basal.     

A preliminary study of pregnancy termination in the bitch with slow-release formulations of prostaglandin analogues

Forty-two beagle bitches at gestational ages from 4 to 35 days were treated with various formulations of the prostaglandin analogues fluprostenol and cloprostenol at doses from 10–40 μg/kg in an attempt to terminate pregnancy. Pregnancy was confirmed and the effect of treatment assessed by euthanasia and post-mortem examination to detect viable foetuses or resorbing implants twenty-one days after prostaglandin administration. Five of the bitches treated with an aqueous solution of cloprostenol by subcutaneous injection showed unacceptable side effects but both compounds in a slow release injectable formulation or impregnated into intravaginal devices had a luteolytic effect with only mild side effects in occasional bitches. Successful response to treatment in terms of sustained depression of plasma progesterone concentrations and pregnancy termination was 80 per cent at gestation stages of 25 days or over but only 27 per cent when given earlier in pregnancy. Mature follicles developed in two bitches which aborted following treatment at 14 days and returned to oestrus 10–14 days later. These preliminary findings show that slow-release formulations of fluprostenol and cloprostenol can cause complete luteolysis in the bitch.     

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha-analogue administration on luteal function, implantation of embryos and maintenance of pregnancy in bitches

The present experiment was carried out to clarify the effect of administration of the prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha)-analogue on the luteal function and the maintenance of pregnancy in bitches. Fifty-one bitches received a single inoculation of PGF2 alpha-analogue by intramuscular injection. The effect of this agent was observed by monitoring progesterone (P) levels and the state of the uterus by laparotomy, the occurrence of abortion, and the state of parturition. As a result, when bitches were administered with 100-400 micrograms at the beginning of the luteal phase, the decrease in the P level was temporary. In bitches inoculated with 100-800 micrograms of PGF2 alpha-analogue at the functional luteal stage, the P level began to decrease as early as on the following day after injection. In those treated with 100-200 micrograms of PGF2 alpha-analogue at 10-15 days of pregnancy, pregnancy was maintained in 3 of 5 bitches that had received the treatment at day 10, while in the remaining two, all embryos died after implantation. In those that had received the same treatment at day 15, only 2 of 7 maintained pregnancy. Pregnancy was interrupted in eight bitches treated with doses of 100-200 micrograms at days 25-45. In four bitches treated with doses of 100-200 micrograms at day 55, premature birth was induced after 30-44 hr. In conclusion, regression of the corpus luteum, abortion, and premature birth were induced in bitches treated with 100-200 micrograms at each stage, except the beginning of the luteal phase and of the pregnancy.     

Comparisons of different combinations of analogues of PGF2 alpha and dopamine agonists for the termination of pregnancy in dogs.

Groups of five pregnant bitches were treated to terminate the pregnancy with four combinations of drugs, starting 28 days after the estimated surge of luteinising hormone (LH), 22 to 28 days after the first mating. The treatments were: cabergoline administered orally for 10 days at a dose of 5 micrograms/kg and a single subcutaneous injection of 2.5 micrograms/kg cloprostenol at the start of the treatment; the same dose of cabergoline plus two doses of 1 microgram/kg cloprostenol administered on days 28 and 32 after the LH surge; bromocryptine administered orally at a dose of 30 micrograms/kg three times a day for 10 days plus a single dose of 2.5 micrograms/kg cloprostenol; the same dose of bromocryptine plus two doses of 1 microgram/kg cloprostenol; and a group of five pregnant bitches was left untreated. The pregnancies were terminated in all but one of the treated bitches, in each case by resorption of the fetuses. There were few side effects in the bitches treated with two doses of 1 microgram/kg cloprostenol, and were present but acceptable in those treated with one dose of 2.5 micrograms/kg. Plasma progesterone concentrations decreased to less than 1 ng/ml within 72 hours of the start of treatment and remained low except in the bitch in which pregnancy was not terminated. In the five untreated bitches, plasma progesterone remained high and they whelped normally. In the treated groups, the intervals between successive displays of oestrus were reduced by approximately 70 days in comparison with previous cycles or with the control group, but the fertility of the dogs was not affected adversely.     

Dystocia in the bitch: A retrospective study of 182 cases

In a retrospective study of 182 cases of canine dystocia, no relationship was found between either breed or age and occurrence of dystocia. However, medium-sized breeds (between 12.7 and 20.5 kg bodyweight) were slightly over represented. Of the bitches that had whelped previously, 42 per cent had experienced dystocia. The dystocia was of maternal origin in 75.3 per cent of the cases, mainly due to uterine inertia, while 24.7 per cent were of fetal origin, mainly resulting from malpresentations/malorientations. The most common reason for dystocia was primary, complete uterine inertia (48.9 per cent) and 40 per cent of the bitches with this problem had small litters of one or two pups. The most common treatment was calcium and, or, oxytocin injection followed by a caesarean section. Digital manipulation including forceps delivery and, or, medical treatment was successful in only 27.6 per cent of the cases. Of the bitches studied, 65.7 per cent had a caesarean section. Pup deaths occurred in 52.2 per cent of the litters. Among bitches that had been treated within one to four-and-a-half hours after the beginning of second stage labour, 5.8 per cent of the pups died, whereas the corresponding value for bitches that had been treated between five and 24 hours after the beginning of second stage labour was 13.7 per cent. The total frequency of pup deaths was 22.3 per cent. These findings show that early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial in reducing the pup death rate in cases of dystocia.     

Effect of combined antibiotic therapy on fertility in brood bitches infected with Brucella canis

Bitches with naturally occurring Brucella canis infection were treated with combined antibiotic therapy consisting of tetracycline, dihydrostreptomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine. After treatment, all but 1 bitch became abacteremic, and serologic titers declined for a variable length of time (3 months to 1 years). Abortion did not occur while these bitches were abacteremic. Although sequential antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks did not eradicate Brucella canis from affected bitches, it did not prevent abortion. The number of live pups whelped and weaned by treated bitches was comparable with that in bitches before they became infected.     

The relationship between the prevalence of uterine lesions and the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate for canine population control

SUMMARY The prevalence of uterine disease was established during desexing of 175 bitches in the Torres Strait and Cape York, 42 of which had been treated with injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for oestrus postponement. The prevalence of uterine lesions was 45% for treated bitches, 5% for untreated bitches, and 14.9% for the sample population. A highly significant relationship (P<0.01) between MPA treatment and uterine lesions was established. A significant association (P<0.05) between age (>2 years old) and uterine lesions was found, most likely attributable to a significantly higher proportion (P<0.01) of MPA-treated bitches in the older population. There was no significant difference in the effect of MPA on the prevalence of uterine lesions between older and younger bitches. There was no effect of parity on the prevalence of uterine lesions.     

Follow-up examinations of bitches after conservative treatment of pyometra with the antigestagen aglepristone

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic success of the medical treatment of canine pyometra with the antigestagen aglepristone and to document the recurrence rate in relation to the time interval after treatment with antigestagens. In 48 (92.8%) of the 52 treated bitches, healing could be achieved within the first 3 weeks after the treatment had been started. One bitch died as a result of renal insufficiency; in three bitches there was no emptying of the uterus, so ovariohysterectomy became necessary. In these three patients, ovarian and endometrial cysts were present. Forty-one bitches could be followed up for 3 months. Four animals developed a recurrence (9.8%). In three bitches ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperlasia could be found intra operationem. The development of 37 bitches could be followed for at least 1 year. Seven animals developed a pyometra again (18.9%). Two received a repeated treatment with aglepristone and have been free from recurrence for over 12 months. In 37 animals data on the subsequent sex cycles are available. In 22 bitches next heat started at the expected time, in seven animals heat started too early. In eight bitches the period of anoestrus was prolonged. Five of the six bred bitches delivered at least one litter. The presented data show that treatment of pyometra by aglepristone results in a high healing rate. The recurrence rate can be minimized by the selection of bitches without ovarian cysts and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.     

Successful Treatment for Subinvolution of Placental Sites in the Bitch with Low Oral Doses of Progestagen

Subinvolution of placental sites (SIPS) is the major cause of persistent sanguineous vaginal discharge after parturition in the bitch. Spontaneous remission is common but may take several months, and hence, medical therapy to end the discharge is often requested. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effect of treatment for SIPS with low oral doses of a progestagen. Nine bitches with SIPS, but otherwise clinically healthy, were found in the computer database of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals. Seven of these bitches were treated with low oral doses of a progestagen (megestrol acetate, 0.1 mg/kg body weight (bw) once daily for the 1st week, then 0.05 mg/kg bw once daily for the 2nd week). The other two bitches were untreated. Treatment results were evaluated by a telephone questionnaire. Progestagen treatment was successful in all of the treated dogs; sanguineous vaginal discharge stopped within the treatment period. One of the two untreated dogs remained symptomatic until the next oestrus, approximately 120 days after parturition, and the other remained symptomatic until 6 weeks before the start of the next pro‐oestrus, 270 days after parturition. No side effects of the progestagen treatment were observed. Subsequent gestations, parturitions and puerperal periods of 5 mated bitches were uneventful. One bitch did not become pregnant after mating. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that oral administration of low doses of progestagen for 2 weeks is effective in stopping persistent sanguineous vaginal discharge in bitches with SIPS, with neither side effects nor reduced subsequent fertility.     

Evaluation of Cabergoline and Buserelin Efficacy for Oestrous Induction in the Bitch

The purpose of this work was to compare two different protocols of oestrous induction, using either a dopamine agonist (cabergoline) or a GnRH agonist (buserelin) in anoestrus bitches. The clinical trial involved 22 Beagle bitches, randomly allotted to two treatment groups: group A (n = 12) was orally administered cabergoline (Galastop^®; Centralvet‐Vetem, Milan, Italy; 5 μg/kg SID), until the onset of cytological oestrus or for a maximum of 30 days and group B (n = 10) was treated with buserelin acetate, (Suprefact^®; Aventis Pharma, Milan, Italy), administered subcutaneously t.i.d., at 1.5 μg/kg for 11 days and 0.75 μg/kg for the following 3 days. Blood samples were collected twice a week to measure progesterone and prolactin concentration. Both cabergoline and buserelin produced a significant early decline in prolactin concentration (p < 0.01), but the effect of cabergoline lasted longer. Progesterone concentration was significantly affected by buserelin administration, showing a significant increase (p < 0.01) from day 3 to day 6 of treatment. Cabergoline confirmed its effectiveness in inducing oestrus as 10 of 12 bitches responded to the treatment, were mated and whelped. On the contrary, oestrus was observed in only three of 10 buserelin‐treated bitches and in two of them 7 and 13 days after the end of treatment. These same two bitches accepted mating and conceived. The results suggest that in a clinical setting, dopaminergic treatment is the treatment of choice as it yields more consistent results and involves a much easier administration protocol.     

Uterine drainage in the bitch for treatment of pyometra refractory to prostaglandin F2α

Uterine drainage was performed in three bitches with pyometra which had been treated unsuccessfully with PGF_2α. All of the bitches became clinically normal and one of them was mated and gave birth to live puppies. The mode of action of uterine drainage is discussed. Possible advantages of a combination of drainage and prostaglandin treatment are also considered.     

Induction of estrus in greyhound bitches with prolonged idiopathic anestrus or with suppression of estrus after testosterone administration

Twelve anestrous adult Greyhound bitches were used to study a regimen for induction of estrus. Once daily, 7 bitches were given diethylstilbestrol (DES; 5 mg, PO) until sanguineous vaginal discharge and vulvar edema were observed (designated as day 1 of proestrus) and for 2 days thereafter. If no response was elicited after 7 days, a doubled DES dose was given for up to an additional 7 days. Luteinizing hormone (5 mg, IM) was given on day 5 of proestrus, and follicle-stimulating hormone (10 mg, IM) was given on days 9 and 11 of proestrus. Bitches were bred once on day 13. Five bitches were used as a control group; they were given candy tablets for 7 days (first day on tablets, treatment day 1) and 0.9% NaCl (1.0 ml, IM) on treatment days 12, 16, and 18. The 7 bitches treated with DES had a mean proestrus period of 7.7 days and a mean estrus period of 5.7 days up to the day of mating. After mating, they had a mean gestation interval of 64 days and delivered a mean of 4 pups/litter. In 5 bitches, initial treatment with 5 mg of DES/day induced proestrus within 7 days; however, in 2 bitches, additional treatment with 10 mg of DES/day was needed for 5 and 6 days, respectively. Serum estradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations remained at base line during the period of DES treatment. Concentrations of both hormones increased after injection with luteinizing hormone and remained high for the next 4 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fenbendazole treatment of pregnant bitches to reduce prenatal and lactogenic infections of Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum in pups

A granulated formulation of fenbendazole was tested in a total of 23 treated and control, pregnant, parasite-free Beagle bitches experimentally infected with Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum. The drug was administered to each treated bitch once daily in canned dog food at a dosage of 50 mg/kg body weight. Each of 2 treatment regimens tested was initiated on the 40th day of pregnancy. One regimen involved daily treatment continuing through the 14th postpartum day, and it resulted in 89% fewer ascarids and 99% fewer hookworms in pups born to medicated bitches, as compared with pups born to unmedicated controls. The other regimen of treatment, which was stopped on the day of parturition, was less effective in reducing ascarid and hookworm burdens (64% and 88% reductions, respectively). Three to 5 bitches from each of the treatment and control groups were allowed to whelp a 2nd litter without further treatment or further exposure to parasite infections. Hookworm burdens in 2nd-litter pups born of bitches that had initially received fenbendazole through the 14th postpartum day were significantly lower (P < 0.01; 85% reduction), when compared with the 2nd-litter control pups. All other parasite burdens were not significantly different. It was concluded that granulated fenbendazole is effective in reducing burdens of Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis in newborn pups when the bitch is treated during the last third of pregnancy, especially when treatment (50 mg/kg/day) extends from the 40th day of pregnancy through the 14th postpartum day.     

Evaluation of phenylpropanolamine in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in the bitch

In a multicentre, blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 50 dogs were treated for 28 days with either phenylpropanolamine or a placebo control. Each was given at a dose of one drop per 2 kg orally three times daily, equivalent to 1 mg/kg three times daily of phenylpropanolamine. Dogs that presented with clinical signs consistent with urinary sphincter mechanism incontinence were included in the study. They were examined on three occasions by the investigating veterinary surgeon. The frequency and volume of unconscious urination were scored by veterinary surgeons according to a pre-established scoring system. Phenylpropanolamine proved to be more effective than the placebo in regard to several parameters. At day 28, 85.7 per cent of phenylpropanolamine-treated cases had no episodes of unconscious urination compared with 33.3 per cent of placebo-treated cases. This was statistically significant. Few, mild side effects were seen in either group.     

Treatment of spontaneous pyometra in 22 bitches with a combination of cabergoline and cloprostenol

Twenty-two bitches with ultrasonographically diagnosed spontaneous pyometra were treated with a combination of 5 microg/kg cabergoline per day and 5 mug/kg cloprostenol every third day, and potentiated sulphonamide twice a day. Bitches with either open-cervix or closed-cervix pyometra showed a rapid clinical improvement, associated with a reduction in plasma progesterone concentration, increased vulval discharge and a reduction in the diameter of the uterus. The haematological profiles of 21 of the bitches returned to normal within six days of treatment, and their biochemical profiles returned to normal within nine days; 19 of the bitches were managed successfully by a 10-day period of treatment. Two bitches required a further three days of treatment, and in one bitch with a partial uterine torsion the treatment was not successful. Adverse effects of the treatment were limited to the 60 minutes immediately after the administration of prostaglandin, and included retching, vomiting, mild abdominal straining, diarrhoea and panting. The incidence of adverse effects was reduced after each successive dose of prostaglandin. Eleven of the 21 successfully treated bitches were mated at the next oestrus, and seven became pregnant; their litters were smaller than the published breed averages. In four of the bitches the pyometra recurred after the next oestrus.