Incurin for Dogs: Treat Urinary Incontinence in Female Dogs
Key takeaways:
Incurin (estriol) is a medication that can treat estrogen-related urinary incontinence in female dogs.
Incurin comes in tablet form and is usually given to dogs once a day.
Incurin typically doesn’t cause significant side effects. But it may cause loss of appetite and vomiting in some dogs.
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Table of contents
Urinary incontinence that results in urine leaking can be a frustrating issue for pet parents. Older female dogs can experience urine leaking due to low levels of estrogen. Fortunately, estrogen-related urinary incontinence can be successfully treated with estrogen replacement therapy using Incurin (estriol) for dogs.
Let’s take a closer look at how Incurin may be able to help your dog, and what to expect if your pup is prescribed Incurin.
Incurin for dogs at a glance
Common names | Incurin (estriol) |
What it treats | Urinary incontinence |
How it comes (forms) | Tablets |
Common side effects | Loss of appetite, vomiting, swollen vulva |
Average cost |
What is Incurin for dogs, and how does it work?
Incurin is an oral medication that is used to treat urinary incontinence in female dogs that have been spayed. Incurin is FDA approved to treat urinary incontinence due to an estrogen deficiency, which is most common in older, spayed female dogs. The medication works to resolve urinary continence in about 90% of dogs who take it.
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The active ingredient in Incurin is estriol, a sex hormone that occurs naturally in female dogs. Estriol is a short-acting estrogen. When used for hormone replacement therapy in dogs, estriol stops leaking urine by strengthening the urethral sphincter muscle. This muscle is responsible for holding and releasing urine from the bladder and should only open when a dog actively urinates. But in older, female dogs, this muscle can weaken, resulting in leaking urine.
Urinary incontinence due to low estrogen is very rare in unspayed female dogs and male dogs. So Incurin is typically not used to treat urinary incontinence in these animals.
It is important to consult with your veterinarian if your dog has urinary incontinence to determine the cause of leaking urine and the best treatment.
How is Incurin given to dogs, and what is the typical dosage?
All dogs treated with Incurin initially receive 2 mg by mouth once a day for 14 days. Once your dog stops leaking urine, your veterinarian will gradually reduce their dosage. The goal is to find the lowest possible dosage that will control incontinence long term. A minimum of 7 days is required between dosage adjustments.
The amount of Incurin needed to control urine leaking varies between dogs. Your veterinarian will determine the dosage needed to control your dog’s urine leaking long term.
Dogs should not receive more than 2 tablets (2 mg) of Incurin per day. If your dog does not respond to Incurin therapy within 14 days after starting treatment, consult with your veterinarian.
Incurin may be given to dogs with or without food. It can also be crushed and mixed in with wet food or hidden in a treat.
What are the common side effects of Incurin in dogs?
The most common side effects of Incurin in dogs include:
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Swollen vulva
Some dogs may lick their vulva more often. Most of these side effects are temporary and resolve over time.
What are the most serious risks of Incurin for dogs?
When given at the appropriate dosage, there are no serious side effects associated with Incurin for dogs. In part, this is because estriol is a short-acting estrogen. This makes it safer to give to dogs than other types of estrogen medications.
In some cases, Incurin can change a dog’s thyroid hormone levels. And if used in combination with other medications that contain estrogen, Incurin can cause bone marrow suppression.
Does Incurin interact with any other dog medications?
Incurin may interact negatively with other medications. It should be used with caution when treating dogs that take any of the following medications:
Thyroid hormones
Cimetidine
Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin)
Cyclosporine
Ursodiol
Other estrogen therapy
Let your veterinarian know about any medications or supplements your dog takes before they are prescribed Incurin.
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of Incurin?
If you forget to give your dog a dose of Incurin, give them the medication as soon as you remember. Then, resume their normal medication schedule with the next dose.
If it is close to the time that your dog’s next dose is due, skip the missed one. Then, give them the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Never double up on doses to make up for a missed one.
If you are unsure about how to handle a missed dose of Incurin, consult your veterinarian.
The bottom line
Incurin is a medication that can treat estrogen-related urinary incontinence in female dogs. Incurin comes in tablet form, and it’s typically given to dogs once a day. But your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate dosage for your dog.
Incurin may cause some mild side effects, such as vomiting and loss of appetite. The good news is, Incurin can be very effective at treating urinary incontinence in dogs.
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References
Brooks, W. (2024). Estriol (Incurin). Veterinary Partner.
Merck Animal Health. (n.d.). Incurin tablets.
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (2022). Incurin - estriol tablet [package insert].
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). Freedom of information summary: Original new animal drug application NADA 141-325 for Incurin (estriol) tablets for dogs.
