Rationale for medications

Heart2Heart Canine Cardiology Learning Tool10 August 2015

Module 3

Rationale for medications

A variety of classes of medication are available to address the various pathologies that characterise heart failure. These medications are used to:

Reduce fluid overload
Dilate blood vessels
Improve cardiac output

Important safety information: VETMEDIN® should not be given in case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where an augmentation of cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons. The safety of VETMEDIN® has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by etiologies other than atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. The safe use of VETMEDIN® has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs with congenital heart defects, dogs with diabetes mellitus or other serious metabolic diseases, dogs used for breeding, or pregnant or lactating bitches. Use only in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure. The most common side effects reported in field studies were poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, dyspnea, azotemia, weakness, and ataxia. If side effects should occur, pet owners should contact their veterinarian. Please refer to the package insert for complete product information or visit www.vetmedin.com.

VETMEDIN® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH.