(Pensacola, Florida – January 16, 2013) – Surveys show canine urinary incontinence is a common problem in both shelters and in the home. An alarming 18.5 percent of dogs are turned over to shelters for house soiling¹. Pet owners might be embarrassed to talk with their veterinarian about it or they might just think it’s a part of a dog getting older.
Lifetime® Network’s TV program “Designing Spaces of Hope Adopts A Shelter” airing January 17 & March 21 will feature not only much needed renovations to McKamey Animal Center, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but also educate pet owners on how to keep spaces clean from urine puddles. Veterinarian Marisa Shulman, who is featured on the show, believes the solution could lie with resolving a pet’s medical problem.
According to Dr. Shulman, “There are many reasons a dog may be urinating frequently and/or inappropriately. If the problem is due to urethral sphincter hypotonus, PROIN® may help. It’s important for the pet owner to get to the bottom of the problem and that starts with a visit to their veterinarian.”
More facts about canine urinary incontinence:
- Can look similar to other medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections
- The incidence level can be as high as 20 percent in spayed female dogs over age 6²
- Can be progressive – starts with leaking while dog is sleeping and progresses from there
- Can be caused due to a change in hormone levels when the animal is spayed
McKamey Animal Center serves over 8,400 pets annually and over 33,000 since they opened four years ago. The show was designed to be educational, motivational and help people learn more about sheltering in the 21st Century. Many of the changes that were made were not structural, but rather were upgrades that improve the quality of care that McKamey offers to every pet that passes through their facility.
“We were pleased to be selected for this show because we are a motivated, proactive group who, with much local and national support, in just four years dramatically impacted animal welfare in our community. The renovations, remind us why we are here every day and we wanted all of our guests to see some of the animals we have helped,” said Karen Walsh, Executive Director of McKamey Animal Center.
The renovations included the administrative area and “real life rooms”. The real life room prior to Designing Spaces was drywall (a design flaw) and needed to be tiled as the dogs were destroying it. The room is where all of the administrative meetings take place had a wall redone by Snapfish, depicting a story of who McKamey Animal Center is through pictures.
“We are pleased to be a part of a show that helps educate the pet-owning public about shelters and the pets they care for, but also addresses common medical problems like urinary incontinence. We urge pet owners to seek solutions from their local veterinarian,” said Jeff Santosuosso, Vice President & General Manager of PRN® Pharmacal, the makers of PROIN.
PROIN is an FDA-approved, chewable tablet given twice a day. The tablets come in three strength doses available by veterinary prescription. For more information, please visit: www.prnpharmacal.com.
About Designing Spaces of Hope:
“Designing Spaces of Hope” is dedicated to raising awareness about distinct causes that relate to American children and families who are in need of a safe, healthy, and loving environment. The five year journey visits unique places across the nation and makes over special spaces that impact lives. The journey includes hospitals, foster care agencies, transitional facilities, shelters, aging communities, and next door neighbors who need our help. The Designing Spaces” “Dream Team” includes television producers, educators, medical experts, celebrities, sports legends, country music bands, military heroes, world class organizations and corporations, volunteers who work endlessly, and of course…..all the children and families who are the TRUE All-Stars of the show.
¹Salman, M.D., Hutchison, J., Ruch-Gallie, R., Kogan, L., New, J.C., Kass, P.H., Scarlett, J.M. (2000). Behavioral Reasons for Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats to 12 Shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(2), 93-106.
²DeTora, M., McCarthy, R.J. (2011). Ovariohysterectomy versus ovariectomy for elective sterilization of female dogs and cats: is removal of the uterus necessary? J Am Vet Med Assoc, 239:1409-1412.
NOTE: Check Local listings for dates & times.
