Lola Is Back From Her Checkup

[Guest argolola]

We just got back from the vet in Jacksonville. The doctor felt good about her progress and also her urinalysis. He found cataracts on both eyes, but he wasn't surprised due to her age. Also, the bedwetting he feels is senior incontinence and gave us a prescription for Uriflex Proin.

 

Haven't I read some not so good things about this Rx???

 

Also, there was a 9 year old male grey named Hugo in the next room. Lola got to meet him...he was a gorgeous dark brindle. I talked to Hugo's grandma about joining GT.

 

p. s. doctor said the cataracts could lead to some vision loss.

Edited January 3, 2010 by argolola

[macoduck]

We haven't had to use Proin here, but many on GT have. While there have been some with side effects, it mostly seems to be beneficial.

I wonder if there's a difference between Uniflex Proin and Proin?

[Guest argolola]

We haven't had to use Proin here, but many on GT have. While there have been some with side effects, it mostly seems to be beneficial.

I wonder if there's a difference between Uniflex Proin and Proin?

Sorry Ducky. I typed it wrong. It's uriflex proin. The vet said it had relatively few side effects, but I'm anxious to hear what other GTers think.

[Guest kydie]

I have not used this med, yet, but sometimes, one must weigh the good it can provide, and many times this out weights the bad, any med one gives of any type has side effects even in humans

[Guest Energy11]

We've had many people on here whose greys have had very bad side effects from Proin ... one who died. I'd do A LOT of research before putting any of mine on it. Asking Dr. Couto's opinion surely couldn't hurt. Good Luck!

[DaisyDoodle]

My 14.5 yo mix is on Proin for incontinence due to Cushings. She's okay with it, but Daisy snatched one and ended up vomiting from it, I think. I'm not sure who had the problem as I was out of the house, but it was quite a mess.

 

I'd check with Dr. Couto and check around here. Some docs also use DES, but only if there have been no mammary issues. Since Lucky has mammary tumors (supposed to be benign), we didn't give her DES.

[CaliforniaGreys]

No experience with that drug but I remember reading conflicting opinions here about it.

But it is good to hear that the vet is happy with Lola's progress

[Guest argolola]

After reading on GT about Proin and some of the issues, I think doing laundry is a better option for us. I don't want to risk putting her through anything else.

 

Earlier, I overheard DH talking to Rudy about helping his sister if her vision gets worse. It was so sweet.

 

As always, thank you all.

Edited January 3, 2010 by argolola

[Anne]

My old gal Cali tried it, but it didn't help her. But she had no side effects at all from it. A friend of mine has a dog who's been on it for a number of years without a problem. Good luck. I'd give it a shot if any of my other hounds had issues.

[5blackgreys]

I'm so glad Lola got had a good check-up. My Aggie who is 14 has cataracts and she runs around the yard more then the younger ones do : ) I hope 2010 will be a good year for you and your family.

[TinyMityMo]

Bailey didn't tolerate Proin - she totally went off her food (although in retrospect she's been on and off her food since the summer and that was likely caused by the tumor in her spleen and omentum she just had removed last week). She's on DES now and tolerates it very well.

[Batmom]

You'll get lots of opinions, Lene. Many dogs seem to tolerate it very well. I think it is important to make sure the dog is basically healthy before trying proin or DES, and start with a very small dose.

 

I have not used it for Zema, who has had some leakage issues, because she has high blood pressure. Zema's problem is 99.9% controlled by a homecooked, low salt diet.

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

I am glad Lola had a good checkup, and I totally understand your hesitancy to try the Proin considering all that she has been thru. Xtra laundry does not seem like that bad of an alternative. Hoping Lola continues to improve and that 2010 will be an uneventful (healthwise) year for her!

[GreytNut]

Have you considered other incontinence meds? Proin is not your only option.

 

We're using DES for Raven's incontinence and it's worked wonders for her. The vet wanted to give her Proin but I was leery of it after reading about the nasty reactions some GTers' dogs had, so he proposed DES as a safer alternative. It is a synthetic estrogen. He said if you regularly give it more than 2 or 3 times per week it can increase the risk of osteosarcoma later in life. Otherwise it's generally very well tolerated. We only give it once a week and Raven is already 10, so the risk is minimal. It is such a relief not to have a pee-soaked pup!

Edited January 3, 2010 by GreytNut

[Guest argolola]

Thanks everyone for the great input.

 

I really don't think her issues are bad enough to need meds at this point and this is why: When she first had pancreatitis, she was wetting huge amounts when sleeping, all day and night. We put her on a round of oral Amoxicillin and today is day 5 or 6 with only one potty accident. I can deal with that.

 

She has a heart murmur too, which I may or may not have told the new vet. I really need to get all of her records from the old vet and get them to the new vet. My memory seems to go when I am under stress, ie: not knowing if she would make it.

[Guest BluMommy]

So glad to read that Lola had a good check up!!! Hugs for both of you!!!!!

[Guest greyt2love]

We use both Proin and DES here. Rex has been on Prion for 3 years, no side effects.He will be 12 in 2 weeks. If he started to have side effects, I'd stop it and do the laundry, but so far, not an issue.

Momma Sophia has been on DES for a year and she has no leakage, no problems showing up at this point. She takes one a week and she was 11 in September. Like Greytnut said, the chances of problems at that dosage are small, and at Momma's age, I worry more that she is dry and comfortable than what MAY develop some time down the road.

 

Good luck whatever you decide ! I'm glad her vet visit was good !!!

[Guest Swifthounds]

I really don't think her issues are bad enough to need meds at this point and this is why: When she first had pancreatitis, she was wetting huge amounts when sleeping, all day and night. We put her on a round of oral Amoxicillin and today is day 5 or 6 with only one potty accident. I can deal with that.

 

Amoxi and other antibiotics have anti inflammatory properties, so the amoxi may be helping control and infection that was causing her troubles and/or it may be controlling some inflammation that was contributing to the problem. Theraputic doses of Omega 3s can also help with inflammation, so that's a relatively harmless thing you can add if she's not already on it (300 mg EPA/DHA per 10 lbs. body weight daily).

[vsrenard]

Zola has been on Proin for about 3 years. She does well on it, ha never had a problem. She is 9 now, with a low thryoid but no other health issues.

[Guest vahoundlover]

We lost Dolly to a toxic reaction to Proin. Batmom has had a good response with cooking for Zema and our holistic vet has positive results with acupuncture. Someone posted not too long ago about giving 1% milk (1/4-1/2 cup twice daily)

[Guest FreddyGirl]

My Freddy, 5 1/2 years old, has been on Proin for almost 3 years. As far as I know, no bad side effects. I just reduced her dosage to 1/2 tablet once a day to see how she will fare. NO accidents. She also takes 0.4mg soloxine twice a day. What does DES stand for?

[rycezmom]

Miss Rose has been taking Proin for quite some time with no issues. I have been ordering it from KV Supply 50mg tab twice a day for a cost of appx $57.00 for a six month supply. My vet is a dream for faxing Rx to help with costs on a lot of different meds for my pups. I'm glad Lola had a good check up.