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Urinary Incontinence in bitches – a new novel treatment with collagen
April 2010
Incontinence can be a major problem in female dogs, but a new treatment available at Northwest Surgeons under the care of European and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Recognised Soft Tissue Surgery Specialist Catherine Surgeon offers hope for management of this frustrating condition.
Most bitches affected with incontinence are satisfactorily treated medically. Some patients however, are refractory to medication, so alternate treatments are sought.
The two commonest surgical procedures for cases that do not respond to medication are called
- Urethropexy
- Colposuspension
Both of these are major surgeries with associated risks. Reported results with either surgery are similar. In the short term approximately 50% of patients are continent with a further 40% improved but still requiring medication. 10% are no better. One year follow-up studies suggest complete continence may only be achieved in about 15% of cases although up to 33% are greatly improved.
Urethral collagen injections, a novel approach:
Collagen can be injected into the urethra using a specially modified fibre-optic device (urethra-cystoscope). The technique has the major advantage over the surgical options in that it is minimally invasive with minimal complications. There is a 68% success rate, with an average continence period of 17 months (Range 1 to 64 months). In 25% of cases incontinence improves and full continence may then be regained with the administration of additional medication. 7.5% of treated patients have their incontinence unchanged. Up to 12 months after injection, there may be deterioration in the initial result in up to 40% of dogs. Mild and transient adverse effects developed in about 15% of cases.
