These medications are used to prevent fluid retention. They also help to control some of the hormones that are elevated with significant heart disease and congestive heart failure, as well as prevent fibrosis (scarring) of the heart muscle.
How long does heart medication take to work in dogs?
Every dog is different, and in heart failure their response depends on how unwell they are to start with. You should start to see an improvement within 1 week of your dog starting Vetmedin which may get even more noticeable in the following weeks.
How Long Can dogs live on heart medication?
Prognosis for Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure A 2018 study found that even dogs presenting with advanced heart failure (heart failure that recurred even after appropriate medical therapy) survived an average of approximately one year with changes in their treatment, with some dogs living nearly three years (3).
What are the side effects of heart medication in dogs?
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.
How long do dogs live after starting Vetmedin?
In the case of DCM, dogs live anywhere from 3 - 24 months, depending on how well they react to the treatment. In the case of MVD, dogs live on average less than 1 year.
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