Vetmedin is a medication that helps treat certain types of congestive heart failure by helping to increase the heart muscle's ability to pump blood.
What is Vetmedin? Vetmedin is an inodilator medication that is used to manage certain types of congestive heart failure in dogs. Inodilators help to increase the ability of the heart muscle to pump blood.
Vetmedin is formulated for: dogs, but the safety has not been evaluated in puppies less than 6 months of age.
What are the benefits of Vetmedin? Vetmedin helps increase the life expectancy of your dog with heart failure and can help him/her to live a better quality of life. Vetmedin helps relieve stress on the heart muscle allowing your dog’s heart to pump more easily. The flavored tablet makes it easy to administer to your dog too!
How does Vetmedin work? Vetmedin works by helping to open up blood vessels making it easier to carry blood to and from the heart. This reduces the workload on your dog’s heart. This medication can also increase the strength of your dog’s heart beat, improving the heart’s pumping action.
How is Vetmedin administered? Vetmedin is generally given by mouth twice a day. Try to give this medication approximately one hour before food, ideally in the morning and evening (about 12 hours apart). Exact dosing will be determined by your veterinarian. You should always follow his/her instructions.
What results can I expect? Vetmedin is not a cure for heart disease but it can help relieve some of the associated symptoms and help your dog to feel better. Clinical improvement may not be immediate and can take several weeks.
What Form(s) does Vetmedin come in? Vetmedin is a beef-flavored chewable tablet
- Helps relieve symptoms of congestive heart failure due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Can help to increase quantity of life.
- Scored tablets are easy to split if necessary.
- Dilates veins and arteries while directly increasing cardiac output allowing the heart to pump easier.
- Palatable beef flavor
Possible Side Effects: Vetmedin is generally well-tolerated in many dogs. Possible side effects include: loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, weakness, incoordination, fainting, cough, and sudden death in rare cases. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms while your dog is taking Vetmedin. If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember but you should never give two doses at one time. This medication should not be decreased or discontinued unless instructed by your veterinarian.
Precautions: Vetmedin should not be uses in animals that are allergic to pimobendan. This medication should not be given to animals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where increased cardiac output would be harmful. The safety of the drug has not been studied in breeding, pregnant or lactating animals (female animals nursing their young). If the mother is receiving Vetmedin, consider placing the offspring on milk replacer after they have received the colostrum (first milk immediately after birth). This medication should be used with extreme caution in animals prone to cardiac arrhythmias. If your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes or another metabolic disease, speak with your veterinarian regarding the safety of Vetmedin.
Storage: Vetmedin can be stored at room temperature and does not require refrigeration. Keep this medication out of reach from children and pets.
A prescription from your veterinarian is necessary to purchase Vetmedin for your dog.