My dog's heart beats fast on Vetmedin. Should I stop the medication?

Vetmedin does not increase the heart size. Since I don't know how much your dog weighs I cannot comment on the dose. If you would like to post again with her weight then we can maybe help you determine if that is an overdose. You can always talk to your vet about changing the medication - I would not change anything without speaking to them first. Is she taking any other medications for CHF like furosemide or enalapril? If so, the enalapril is most likely causing the increase in heart rate after administration. None of the medications however, will cause the hear to enlarge. The heart is enlarging due to the normal course of the disease. The medications only help to support the heart - they will not stop the progression of the disease. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

That is a proper dose of Vetmedin, yes. This drug is used to improve heart function and will not cause fluid in the lungs or abdomen, however, congestive heart failure will cause fluid in the lungs or abdomen. If there is concern that he is in congestive heart failure, additional medication-- Lasix (also called furosemide) would be needed, which is a diuretic medication. Vetmedin is safe to give with gabapentin and Rimadyl. It will not cause pancreatitis. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Some dogs do better with more frequent administration of Vetmedin and it can be given three times a day. It’s difficult for me to know if I personally would recommend this since I don’t know all of the particulars of Max’s case. If he’s had fainting episodes an arrhythmia might be something else to look for. You might also want to look into a referral to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound).

Unfortunately, many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels experience heart disease at some point in their lives. Since Tabitha was diagnosed with mitral valve disease (MVD), I assume that she had an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) performed by a veterinary cardiologist, as this is the only way to confirm this diagnosis. Good for you for doing your research about this condition. You are correct - more recent studies have shown a benefit to starting dogs with *severe* MVD on pimobendan (Vetmedin) prior to the onset of congestive heart failure. Again, if Tabitha has not yet been evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist, it would be best to do so prior to starting any medication to determine the severity of her MVD, as well as any potential concurrent heart issues not overtly apparent. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

With my research I was able to find a reliable source that contradicts the use of both Young at heart and Pimobendan (Vetmedin). Since your pet is already on Vetmedin, he should not be on this supplement. The other heart medication, Enalapril, can be given with this supplement however, but I am unsure if this is indicated for your pets specific heart condition or not. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8501760 I would however suggest getting him on a prescription dog food for pets with heart disease such as Hill's H/D or Royal Canin Cardiac. I hope that Krystal's condition stabilizes soon with her heart medications. The best we can hope for is to help her compensate for her heart defect as long as feasibly possible. Best of luck to you and take care!

The active ingredient of Vetmedin is Pimobendan. This is a medication that is also used in humans, therefore I suggest you call a human poison control or your doctor or a hospital to find out what to expect and whether the dosage is harmless or not. From articles I found the normal human dose is 2.5 mg, so 5mg is double and I strongly suggest your consult with a doctor. We are veterinary doctors and not qualified to assess this. Please call your nearest hospital.

Unfortunately the dilation of the heart cannot be reversed, but the medications will help to slow its progression and improve the other side effects of enlarged heart. The vetmedin helps the heart pump faster and harder, the furosemide reduces fluid build up in the lungs and the benazepril stops maladaptive pathways being activated. You should see a difference in him within a week or two, the medication can help to improve quality of life greatly.