Older dogs often have problems with heart function. It is important to prescribe maintenance therapy in a timely manner to prevent pressure surges and poor vascular condition.
The veterinary drug Vetmedin for dogs has a positive effect on cardiac activity and exhibits a cardiotropic effect. Pimobendan-based tablets are suitable for four-legged pets of different weights and breeds, and have few contraindications and side effects. Vetmedin is a low-toxic drug, but uncontrolled use of tablets can harm your pet.
general information
With many types of damage to the heart muscle, changes in myocardial tissue, the functioning of an important organ is disrupted, and the release of blood into the vessels is reduced. Lack of treatment over time leads to severe changes in the tissues of the heart, cell nutrition and oxygen supply deteriorate, which inevitably leads to problems throughout the body. It is important to help the heart cope with maintaining vital functions.
The cardiotropic drug Vetmedin normalizes the condition of the myocardium, improves blood flow through the vessels, which are directly affected by the work of the heart. In case of heart failure, dilated cardiopathy and other similar types of damage to an important organ, the active component of the veterinary drug supports a weakened heart, accelerates blood flow, which stabilizes the level of supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. When selecting the optimal dose of a cardiotropic drug and timely correction of pimobendan levels, the drug can be taken for life in dogs that have indications for Vetmedin.
Personal prevention measures
When working with the medicinal product Vetmedin, you should follow the general rules of personal hygiene and safety precautions provided for when working with medicinal products for veterinary use.
At the end of work, hands should be washed with warm water and soap.
Empty medicinal product packaging must not be used for household purposes; it must be disposed of with household waste.
People with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug should avoid direct contact with Vetmedin. If allergic reactions occur or if the drug is accidentally introduced into the human body, you should immediately contact a medical facility (bring with you the instructions for use of the drug or the label).
Release form and composition
The active ingredient is pimobendan. The active component has a positive effect on blood vessels and myocardial tissue and normalizes the level of cardiac output. A non-toxic substance rarely causes negative reactions in the body, even with long-term (lifelong) use.
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Veterinary pharmacies receive the drug with different concentrations of the active ingredient:
- unit weight – from 161 to 536 mg;
- Pimobendan content: 1.25 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.
Vetmedin are light brown tablets with a line for convenient division into parts and capsules in a shell of two parts: white and red. The drug of both categories is contained in an opaque plastic bottle with a screw cap. The number of units in the container is from 50 to 100.
pharmachologic effect
The drug Vetmedin is prescribed to elderly dogs in the presence of negative changes in the functioning of the heart muscle. The active component has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and blood vessels and exhibits cardiotropic and vasodilating effects.
Pimobendan stimulates proper contraction of the heart muscle and optimal blood flow. Under the influence of the active substance, blood vessels dilate: the pulmonary and coronary arteries, peripheral veins and arterioles, which improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells.
The low-toxic drug Vetmedin has virtually no harmful effects on other organs and systems. The active substance stimulates Ca sensitization in the myocardium, improves the contractility of an important part of the heart, and reduces pre- and afterload. An ionotropic effect appears, however, additional ATP supply is not required for myocardial contraction, and there is no risk of developing arrhythmia.
In most cases, Vetmedin capsules or tablets are given to older dogs for age-related changes in the heart muscle, but if indicated, the cardiotropic drug is used in four-legged pets of any age (from 6 months).
Pharmacological properties
Numerous reviews from dog owners confirm that Vetmedin helps effectively resist heart disease and significantly prolongs the life of their pets. It has a double effect on the body:
- increases cardiac output;
- dilates blood vessels, thereby improving blood supply to organs and body systems.
Double action is provided by the active substance - pimobendan. It increases the sensitivity of the heart muscle to calcium, thereby increasing cardiac output. At the same time, pimobendan inhibits the production of phosphodiesterase-3. Thanks to this, blood vessels dilate and blood flow improves.
The drug is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood. The half-life of the active substance is about a quarter of an hour, and the half-life will take about 2 hours. Most of the medicine is excreted from the body through feces.
According to GOST, Vetmedin is classified as a low-hazard substance. In the course of the studies, no mutagenic, embryotoxic or teratogenic effects were detected.
Contraindications
The cardiotropic drug Vetmedin is not prescribed:
- with aortic stenosis and other lesions, when a powerful release of blood can provoke blockage or rupture of elements;
- hypertrophic form of cardiomyopathy;
- pregnancy;
- the animal is under 6 months old;
- period of feeding puppies;
- liver damage (severe forms of disease);
- the dog has previously been prescribed a course of treatment using the drug Propanol (calcium channel blocker);
- individual intolerance to pimobendan or excipients.
Precautions when using vetmedin
The effect of pimobendan has not been studied in pregnant and lactating dogs. Prescribing vetmedin to pregnant and lactating dogs is justified only if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Although side effects are rare, polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are possible. Pimobendan may increase the risk of developing arrhythmic syndrome, which may require simultaneous administration of antiarrhythmic drugs.
It is not advisable to prescribe vetmedin for early forms of dilated cardiomyopathy or endocardiosis of the atrioventricular heart valves. This leads to addiction, which can subsequently lead to decreased effectiveness in later stages of the disease. Digestive disorders in dogs are sometimes observed when vetmedin
.
Advantages
The veterinary cardiotropic drug has several positive characteristics:
- can be taken long-term, if necessary - for life;
- pimobendan rarely causes negative effects and does not have a toxic effect on the body;
- several types of dosage of the active substance and the weight of the tablets, which makes it easier to calculate the norm for four-legged pets of different weights;
- ease of use: most four-legged pets like the meat taste;
- reducing the load on the heart while increasing the strength of contractions;
- high bioavailability of components;
- the combination of Vetmedin with many drugs that regulate cardiac activity is allowed: ACE inhibitors, diuretics, digoxin;
- There are a lot of positive reviews from veterinarians and dog owners.
Instructions for use
A veterinary drug based on pimobendan is prescribed by a specialist after examining the dog, performing an ultrasound of the heart and other diagnostic measures.
Important! You cannot independently “prescribe” a cardiotropic drug to your pet: in some diseases and pathologies, for example, narrowing of the aorta, a powerful cardiac output can lead to serious consequences. The optimal form: capsules or tablets is selected by a veterinarian.
How to calculate dosage
The instructions indicate the relationship between the weight of the animal and the norm of pimobendan for one-time use and one day. Per 1 kg of dog body weight, it is allowed to give from 0.3 to 0.5 mg of the active substance. Exceeding the dosage can cause side effects and interfere with heart function.
The drug is given 2 times a day, morning and evening, with an interval of 12 hours. Violation of the application schedule may negatively affect the quality of therapy.
The rate of pimobendan taking into account the weight of the pet:
- up to 5 kg – divide 1 tablet (1.25 mg of active ingredient) into 2 times;
- from 5 to 10 kg – 1 tablet, concentration of active substance – 1.25 mg;
- from 11 to 20 kg – 2.5 mg of active ingredient;
- from 21 to 40 kg – morning and evening, 5 mg of active ingredient.
If your pet weighs more than 40 kg, you need to take capsules or tablets with a high content of pimobendan:
- from 40 to 60 kg – 1 capsule twice a day (10 mg of active ingredient);
- from 60 kg and above. The norm is 30 mg of pimobendan per day: morning and evening, 3 capsules or tablets with 5 mg of active ingredient.
A course of treatment
Vetmedin is a safe drug. Tablets and capsules are used for maintenance therapy over a long period, often for life. It is important to adhere to the recommended dosage and the permissible interval between receiving the next dose of the drug.
Price
You can now view the current price of the drug and buy it right here:
The cost of Vetmedin for dogs is quite high and depends on the number of tablets in the package and the concentration of the active substance:
- 50 pieces of 1.25 mg – 1900-2100 rubles;
- 100 pieces of 1.25 mg – 3600-3900 rubles;
- 50 pieces of 2.5 mg – 3200-3500 rubles;
- 100 pieces of 2.5 mg – 6400-6600 rubles;
- 50 pieces of 5 mg - 3800-4000 rubles;
- 100 pieces of 5 mg - 7400-7500 rubles;
- 50 pieces of 10 mg - 5900-6000 rubles;
- 1000 pieces of 10 mg - 8200-8900 rubles.
Side effects
Compliance with the norm of pimobendan for one day minimizes the occurrence of negative reactions. Negative symptoms from the heart and other organs occur against the background of an overdose.
Possible side effects:
- decreased blood pressure;
- nausea and vomiting;
- weakness, drowsiness;
- heart rhythm disturbance.
If negative signs appear, you need to adjust the level of pimobendan or discontinue the drug. It is important to consult a veterinarian to find out the causes of side effects.
Contraindications and side effects
Like other medicines, Vetmedin has contraindications. It cannot be used in the following cases:
- with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
- with aortic stenosis;
- for diabetes mellitus;
- with congenital heart defects;
- for liver dysfunction and liver failure.
Not for use on puppies under 6 months. Pregnant and lactating bitches are prescribed the medicine, but only after the doctor has assessed all the risks.
Reviews from owners confirm that when using Vetmedin for dogs in strict accordance with the instructions for use, side effects occur extremely rarely. Pets usually tolerate treatment well. Sometimes the following side effects are observed:
- tachycardia;
- vomit;
- heart murmurs;
- diarrhea;
- lethargy and apathy;
- lack of appetite;
- heart rhythm disturbance.
If there are minor negative effects, the doctor reduces the dose of the drug. If the condition is severe or anorexia or lethargy threaten, the medication should be stopped completely and adsorbents, such as activated carbon, should be used to deactivate it and accelerate its removal from the body, as well as medications to restore the water-salt balance.
If side effects occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to store
Capsules and tablets are kept in a closed bottle, away from heating devices, in a damp room. The optimal temperature for storing a cardiotropic drug is from +8 to +25 degrees.
The shelf life of Vetmedin is 36 months. It is strictly forbidden to give expired cardiotropic medicine to dogs of any weight and age.
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Reviews from specialists and dog owners
There are many opinions about Vetmedin as a highly effective and safe drug. The cardiotropic drug has a positive effect on the condition of the body and the functioning of the heart in pathologies that develop against the background of problems with bi- and tricuspid heart valves. The use of tablets and capsules with pimobendan reduces shortness of breath, lowers the level of heartbeat, relieves night cough, increased fatigue and swelling due to improper functioning of the heart.
Vetmedin is an effective cardiotropic agent for maintenance therapy in dogs with heart failure and other lesions of an important organ. In most cases, four-legged pets tolerate the effects of capsules and tablets well when using the medication according to the instructions. Do not exceed the daily dosage of pimobendan: side effects are possible.
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Owner reviews
Lyudmila, owner of a 9-year-old mountain dog:
“Vetmedin was prescribed to us by a doctor after he was diagnosed with dilated myelopathy. The drug was taken together with other medications, so it was difficult to assess its effectiveness. One day, financial difficulties arose and we were unable to buy Vetmedin on time. The cough returned very quickly. When treatment was resumed, the dog felt significantly better.”
Svetlana, owner of a cocker spaniel:
“In 2014, our dog was diagnosed with DCM. The disease was at an early stage. The doctor prescribed several medications, including Vetmedin. We have been taking the medicine for almost three years. The animal felt much better, there were no side effects. The doctor warned that you need to take Vetmedin constantly without breaks.”
