About the manufacturer
The manufacturer of the veterinary drug Propalin is the French pharmaceutical giant Vetoquinol. Founded in 1962. The headquarters of the organization is located in MANY-VERNOIS LUR (France).
The company's field of activity is the production of pharmaceuticals, including veterinary products. VETOKINOL has production bases in 6 countries and its products are distributed on all five continents. The main principle of the team of professionals of the corporation, which has managed to maintain the status of a family enterprise, is constant concern for the health of animals. VETOKINOL is among the Top 10 global manufacturers of veterinary drugs.
What is Propalin used for?
The main purpose of the drug is the treatment of uncontrolled urination, the cause of which is sphincter dysfunction. It doesn’t matter what reasons lead to this - age-related changes, recent surgical interventions, obesity, etc.
Important: like any other veterinary drug, Propalin must be used under the strict supervision of a veterinary specialist. Only a doctor prescribes the drug after a complete examination. If there are other reasons leading to urinary incontinence in a dog, Propalin will not have an effect, and may possibly lead to negative consequences.
Composition and pharmacology
Propalin for dogs is available in the form of a solution for oral administration (suspension). The drug is packaged in bottles of different sizes - 30 and 100 ml. The bottle comes with instructions and a syringe that helps you measure the dose recommended by a specialist and inject the medicine into the dog’s mouth.
It is worth strictly monitoring the shelf life of the drug - one year from the date of manufacture in a closed container and three months after opening the package.
Compound:
- the main active ingredient is phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (norephedrine) - 50 mg/ml. It is of synthetic origin;
- excipient - sorbitol solution (70%).
Components of the drug "Propalin"
The composition of the product is a synthetic sympathomimetic. It contains phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride as an active ingredient. The drug has a concentration: 1 ml of product contains 50 mg of active substance and auxiliary (sorbitol syrup). The drug itself has a colorless transparent suspension, homogeneous in appearance. Can be produced in bottles of 30 and 100 ml. A dispenser syringe is included with the drug.
How does the drug work for dogs?
The main active ingredient is able to activate the sympathetic nervous system and normalize some automated reactions of the dog’s body. After taking the drug at the indicated dose, the tone of the urinary flow and the urethral sphincter increases, and its contractile function increases.
In addition, as a result of the action of Propalin, a narrowing of blood vessels occurs; the secondary effect of the drug is:
- stimulation of the nervous system;
- increased blood glucose levels.
The maximum concentration of Propalin in the dog’s blood plasma is achieved 1.5 hours after administration. In unchanged form, the drug is excreted from the animal’s body without accumulating in it.
It is important to consult a specialist who will not only determine the dose, but also the period for which the dog should take it.
Long-term use of the medicine leads to a lasting result: the smooth muscles around the urethra become elastic, urination occurs after the dog’s conscious effort.
The principle of action of the drug
The drug is available in the form of syrup
Propalin causes increased tone of the smooth muscles of the bladder and urinary ducts, helps to normalize the functioning of the urethral sphincter and bladder. The active ingredient of the drug is phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride
. By acting on alpha-adrenergic receptors, the drug enhances the contractility of smooth muscles, increases the tone of skeletal muscles, and constricts dilated blood vessels. Being a sympathomimetic, Propalin stimulates the central nervous system and increases blood glucose levels.
The maximum concentration of the active substance in the dog’s blood is reached within an hour and a half after oral administration of the medicine. By enhancing the contractility of the genitourinary diaphragm, the tone of the urethral sphincter and bladder, Propalin helps with urine leakage.
Since the medicine does not accumulate in the body and is excreted primarily in the urine, the drug can be used for a long time without side effects or harm to the health of the animal. Contraindications are pregnancy and lactation; the likelihood of allergic reactions is minimal, but still possible. It is prohibited to give the medicine simultaneously with similar drugs.
Indications for use
Owners should remember that if a small puppy moves into the house, he will not immediately learn to control the urge to urinate. It is during this period that the presence of pathology can be missed. It is necessary to monitor the baby, if, after reaching 6 months, he has not learned to at least partially control himself, this is a reason to go to the clinic. After an examination, the doctor will be able to determine the cause. Perhaps it's psychological.
Propalina for dogs is prescribed when the urethral sphincter is weakened. The drug is effective only for this cause of incontinence. Identification of diseases of a different etiology will lead to the prescription of other drugs. Most often, weakening of the urethral sphincter is observed in dogs:
- in the postpartum period in bitches, when the muscles lose tone;
- during the recovery period after an infection;
- during the recovery period after sterilization/castration surgery;
- for injuries;
- with hormonal imbalances.
Note that sphincter pathologies can be congenital. Some dog breeds have a genetic predisposition to urethral sphincter weakness - huskies, Labradors, huskies, English bulldogs.
Important: Propalin is prescribed only to spayed females (after ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy).
Indications for use of "Propalina"
This drug is prescribed to female dogs for urinary incontinence, which occurs due to dysfunction and poor functioning of the urethral sphincter. It is also indicated if:
- Urine leakage during sleep in puppies and adult animals.
- Incontinence as a consequence of sterilization. In this case, you can perform the operation again and eliminate the consequences.
- An age factor caused by weakening of the pelvic muscles and muscles.
If it is necessary to use drug substitutes, such as “Dietrin” and “Ovestin”, some features in prescribing medications should be taken into account. For example, the first drug is used to regulate the body weight of animals. It contains the same active ingredient as “Propalin” - phenylpropanolamine.
Use the medicine until the animal recovers completely. Basically, this drug does not have any side effects, so it is indicated for any dog. But, if they are present, you should stop using them for a while, and then try again, using the same amount of product.
Another drug is used when it is necessary to treat dogs in the field of gynecology if they are found to have a deficiency of the female hormone. Therefore, in this case, an analogue of “Propalin” is used - “Ovestin”. In addition to the active substance, it contains the necessary estrogen.
How to use (instructions)
Let us note once again that self-administration of the drug Propalin to a dog is prohibited. The dose and duration of administration should also be determined by a veterinarian.
In the instructions for the drug, the manufacturer provides recommended doses depending on the weight of the animal.
BREED | NUMBER OF DAILY APPLICATIONS | DOSAGE |
Fine/medium | 2-3 |
|
Large | 2-3 |
|
Important: Propalin for dogs is most often used as part of complex treatment. Consultation with a veterinarian is necessary, since the drug cannot be prescribed with a number of drugs at the same time.
Dosage calculation
Weakening of the sphincter cannot be completely cured with Propalin. The syrup helps keep the valve in working condition.
The medicine must be given to the dog daily for the rest of its life.
The dosage depends on the number of feedings per day.
- If the dog eats 2 times a day, 0.3 ml of the drug is calculated per 10 kg of weight.
- If the dog eats 3 times a day, 0.2 ml of medicine is calculated per 10 kg of body weight.
The suspension can be added to food or given forcibly. To do this, a measuring syringe is inserted into the side of the dog's mouth, the plunger is pressed and the mouth is raised for swallowing.
How to give to a dog
The algorithm for taking the drug is simple:
- Unscrew the cap of the bottle and prepare a plastic dispenser.
- To avoid filling the syringe with the medicine with air bubbles (reducing the dose), filling must be done from a bottle tilted at an angle.
- Pull the dispenser piston up until the required dose is in it.
- Insert the syringe into the dog’s mouth (on the side between the molars) and pour in the suspension.
It is allowed to mix the medicine with food.
Important: after taking Propalin, you should watch the dog for several minutes - it is possible that the administered dose may regurgitate.
Composition of the drug
Propalin for dogs is available in the form of a suspension for oral administration. It is packaged in polymer plastic bottles of 30 and 100 ml. In addition to the medicine, the cardboard package contains instructions for use and a syringe without a needle for measuring the dose.
The main component of the drug is phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. It affects the receptors, causing the sphincter muscles to contract. At the same time, the muscles of the bladder remain in a relaxed state.
The substance does not accumulate in tissues even with prolonged use. It is excreted in the urine within 24 hours after administration.
The auxiliary ingredient of the product is sorbitol. In veterinary medicine it is used as a sweetener. It dissolves well in liquid, absorbs moisture, which increases the shelf life of drugs. In addition to improving taste, it has a mild laxative and choleretic effect.
Contraindications and side effects
The synthetic drug has a number of contraindications for use:
- state of pregnancy, lactating bitches;
- reproductive bitches;
- diseases of a different etiology other than sphincter weakness. For example, inflammation of the bladder;
- chronic pathologies of the kidneys and liver.
Rarely seen:
- stool disorder;
- increased nervousness, restlessness;
- increased blood pressure;
- hypersalivation;
- rapid breathing.
A significant overdose will lead to convulsions, vomiting, increased heart rate, and tremors of the limbs.
Analogs
The high cost of the drug forces many owners to look for analogues. Note that veterinary products with a similar composition and effect do not have a significantly lower price. But it’s worth knowing their names in case Propalina isn’t available at your nearest pharmacy:
Ovestin
Hormonal drug. It is used in cases where the cause of sphincter weakness lies in low estrogen levels in bitches. Available: ointment, tablet form, suppositories.
Uristop
Used for functional dysfunction of the urethral sphincter.
Owner reviews
Irina S. My dog is 12 years old, we once found her as a puppy on the street. Recently our girl started having problems with uncontrollable urination. She didn't even have time to ask to go outside. I was very worried and sat in the corner looking guilty. The veterinarian prescribed Propalin. After just a week of taking it, things improved.
Sergey O. After the sterilization operation, the dachshund had urinary incontinence. The doctor prescribed Ovestin, but it didn’t help. They carried out further investigations and it turned out that the dog had a weak sphincter. After 4 days of taking Propalin, everything went smoothly.