Proin for Dogs: A Medication to Treat Urinary Incontinence
Key takeaways:
Proin (phenylpropanolamine) is used to treat urinary incontinence in dogs.
Use Proin with caution in dogs with preexisting conditions like heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure).
The dosage of Proin depends on whether you are using the immediate-release or extended-release formulation. Your veterinarian will give you instructions for your dog.
Table of contents
If you’ve seen a small wet area beneath your dog’s rump after they’ve been napping, they might have urinary incontinence. It causes your dog to leak urine without any control. Urinary incontinence is most common in spayed female dogs.
For pet parents looking for treatments, Proin (phenylpropanolamine) for dogs may be a good option. Find out more about the safety and use of Proin for dogs below.
Proin for dogs at a glance
Common names | Phenylpropanolamine (Proin) |
What it treats | Urinary incontinence, retrograde ejaculation |
How it comes (forms) | Chewable tablets, extended-release tablets |
Common side effects | Vomiting, elevated blood pressure, loss of appetite, weight loss, protein loss in urine, anxiety or behavior changes, diarrhea, increased thirst, lethargy |
Cost |
What is Proin for dogs, and what is it used for?
Proin for dogs is an FDA-approved medication for treating canine urinary incontinence. The medication is primarily used to manage urinary incontinence that’s caused by poor muscle tone in the urethral sphincter at the base of the bladder. This issue is most common in spayed female dogs.
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Proin can also be used off-label for retrograde ejaculation. This is when sperm enter the bladder during ejaculation instead of exiting through the penis. If a breeding male dog is pretreated with Proin, he is less likely to experience retrograde ejaculation.
Proin is not approved for use in humans. It has been shown to increase the risk of strokes and bleeding in the brain in people between the ages of 18 and 49. It can also be used in the illegal production of methamphetamine. Proin is a controlled substance in some states.
What is the dosage of Proin for dogs, and how is it given?
The dosage of Proin for dogs depends on whether you are giving the immediate-release formulation or the extended-release formulation.
Immediate-release Proin dosage for dogs
For the immediate-release formulation of Proin, the dog should receive 2 mg per kilogram of body weight by mouth every 12 hours. This form of Proin is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg chewable tablets.
Proin extended-release dosage for dogs
For the extended-release (ER) formulation of Proin, the normal dosage for dogs is 2 mg to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight by mouth once daily. Give this dose with food.
Dogs under about 10 lbs cannot be safely given Proin ER with the tablet sizes currently available. The sizes include 18 mg, 38 mg, 74 mg, and 145 mg tablets.
How long can dogs hold their pee? Most dogs can hold their urine for about 8 hours. But it’s best to give them more frequent potty breaks. Learn why.
Kidney disease in dogs: Kidney disease is a common condition in dogs, especially as they age. Learn about the symptoms, treatment options, and what to expect.
Anxious pups: Many dogs experience anxiety, from separation anxiety to a fear of loud noises. Here are the telltale signs your dog may have anxiety.
Off-label Proin dosage for dogs
The off-label dosage for retrograde ejaculation is 3 mg to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight by mouth twice daily of the immediate-release formulation.
What are the common side effects of Proin in dogs?
Common side effects of Proin in dogs include:
Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
Weight loss
Protein loss in urine (proteinuria)
Anxiety, restlessness, or behavior changes
Increased thirst
Lethargy
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What are the most serious risks of Proin for dogs?
Rarely, long-term use of Proin results in structural changes to the heart. Specifically, it can cause enlargement of the heart’s ventricles. Changes to the structure of the heart can lead to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and congestive heart failure.
Dogs taking Proin can also experience seizures, sudden collapse, or death — though these side effects are also rare. They may be more common in dogs with preexisting conditions.
Because of its effects on blood pressure, phenylpropanolamine should be used with caution in dogs with:
Glaucoma
Enlarged prostate
Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Does Proin interact with any other dog medications?
Proin can interact with other medications your dog may be taking, including:
Aspirin
Inhalant anesthetics like isoflurane
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like selegiline
Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline or clomipramine
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like carprofen or meloxicam
Reserpine
Halothane (an anesthesia medication)
Always check with your veterinarian to confirm the safety of giving Proin to a dog who takes other medications.
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of Proin?
If you miss giving your dog a dose of Proin, give the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to the time of your dog’s next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your dog’s regular medication schedule.
If you have concerns about the timing of dosing for Proin, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian.
The bottom line
Proin (phenylpropanolamine) can help treat dogs with urinary incontinence. But use it with caution in dogs with preexisting conditions. Proin may increase the risk of high blood pressure, anxiety, gastrointestinal upset, and more.
Speak with your veterinarian about whether Proin is a good option for your dog’s urinary incontinence.
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References
Beaufays, F., et al. (2008). Retrograde ejaculation occurs in the dog, but can be prevented by pre-treatment with phenylpropanolamine: A urodynamic study. Theriogenology.
Brooks, W. (2023). Phenylpropanolamine (Proin). Veterinary Partner.
Hanson, K. R., et al. (2018). Myocardial hypertrophy associated with long-term phenylpropanolamine use in a dog. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Pegasus Laboratories, Inc. (n.d.). Proin (phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride) chewable tablets [package insert].
Pegasus Laboratories, Inc. (2023). Proin ER- phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablet, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.
Pegasus Laboratories, Inc. (2023). Proin ER (phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride extended-release tablets [package insert].
Scott, L., et al. (2002). Evaluation of phenylpropanolamine in the treatment of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in the bitch. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
Snell, C. B., et al. (2021). Phenylpropanolamine for urinary incontinence. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA approves first generic phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride chewable tablets for use in dogs.
