Stress and illness can affect the health of our fur noses. And also on the heart and circulation.
If everything is no longer working as it should, it may be necessary to administer medication.
Here is among other things Vetmedin for the dog suitable, which we will now present to you in detail in the following guide.
Vetmedin for dogs: what it is and what it is used for
Vetmedin is a prescription medication that a veterinarian administers to dogs for cardiovascular diseases – or you can do it at home.
Dogs suffering from cardiac insufficiency are primarily given this medication.
This is usually the result of cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) or valve insufficiency.
The active substance in Vetmedin is pimobendan. This has a vasodilating effect and also supports the heart muscle in contracting properly again.
Important
Please only use Vetmedin and any other prescription medication if the application and dosage have been approved by the vet!
The correct application and dosage of Vetmedin
So that you know how to use and dose Vetmedin correctly, we will now explain these two things to you in detail.
Vetmedin is available in four different strengths, which relate to the amount of pimobendan it contains: 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg.
The drug is available either as a chewable tablet or as a capsule and is given to the dog once in the morning and once in the evening.
The dog to be treated receives 0.5 mg of pimobendan per kilogram of body weight per day.
You can easily find the right dosage according to the strength and weight of your dog in the following table:
weight of the dog Vetmedin1.25 mg Vetmedin2.5 mg Vetmedin5 mg Vetmedin10mgUp to 2.5kg½ tablet twice a day–––Up to 3.75 kg1 tablet in the morning, ½ tablet in the evening–––Max 5kg–2x daily ½ tablet––Up to 7.5 kg–1 tablet in the morning, ½ tablet in the evening––Up to 10 kg––2x daily ½ tablet–Up to 15 kg––1 tablet in the morning, ½ tablet in the evening–Up to 20kg––2x daily 1 tablet 2x daily ½ tabletUp to 30kg––2x daily 1.5 tablets1 tablet in the morning, ½ tablet in the eveningUp to 40 kg––2x daily 2 tablets2x daily 1 tablet
You should give Vetmedin directly into your dog’s mouth 1 hour before breakfast or dinner. The effect then occurs relatively quickly.
Please discuss the exact dosage with your vet beforehand. They will also tell you how long you should give your dog Vetmedin.
What are the side effects of Vetmedin in dogs?
As effective as Vetmedin is, Vetmedin Dog has side effects. These include the most common diarrhea, loss of appetite and fatigue.
A dog can also vomit after taking Vetmedin. The heart rate can also be significantly increased.
If this is the case, you should opt for a lower dosage. You may be able to increase this again after a few days, as long as your vet approves.
In addition to these still quite harmless side effects – apart from the increased heart rate – serious consequences can also occur.
These were mainly observed in dogs that had undergone long-term treatment with Vetmedin:
If your dog is taking other medications – whether for the existing heart disease or another – please clarify whether there can be any interactions with pimobendan.
When should Vetmedin not be used?
Vetmedin you should do not use on your dog if the following diseases and conditions present:
In addition, Vetmedin should never be administered to pregnant or lactating bitches.
Should this be necessary, however, Vetmedin may only be administered after prior consultation with the veterinarian.
Please also check whether Vetmedin is the right medicine for your dog if it has a merle colour.
Due to the MDR1 gene defect that occurs here, it is possible that the patient has an intolerance to the active substance, which can be dangerous for the drug.
Conclusion
Vetmedin for the dog is a drug that in heart diseases such as valve insufficiency or a disease of the heart muscle is administered.
Vetmedin works through pimobendan, an active substance that dilates the blood vessels in the heart and can thus restore normal heart function.
Vetmedin must not be used in dogs that suffer from liver dysfunction or in which, for example, a so-called aortic stenosis is present.
Pregnant and lactating bitches should only be given Vetmedin with the approval of the veterinarian.
The most common Vetmedin side effects in dogs are loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting.
Do you have any other tips and possible side effects to share with us? Then we would be happy if you do so in our comments.