I have 9 year old chihauhua with an enlarged heart that coughs/gags on Lasix & Enacard but but no improvement. Is there any other medication or treatment that will improve his condition?
Ask A Pet Pro
Helping pet owners get health help For their pets
There’s a new drug called vetmedin or pimobendin used for heart problems. See if your vet has it.
Janelle Konstam DVM
North Main Animal Hospital
Royal Oak, MI
The answer is a qualified YES!! There is a new drug for dogs with congestive heart failure called Vetmedin (pimobendan). I have found it useful in helping to relieve the symptoms of heart failure in a number of dogs in my practice including my own, since its’ release a couple of months ago.
Mike Keem, DVM
Aurora Pet Hospital
East Aurora, NY
There is a relatively new drug called Vetmedin that can help, especially if given early in the course of the disease. If your vet hasn’t heard of it, let them know that it is carried through Boehringer Ingelheim.
Best of luck,
Joy N. Ritz, DVM
Decatur Veterinary Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
Most heart disorders stem from a vitamin B deficiency. So, I may suggest you add vit.B, coq10, flax seed, vit. c and hawthorne.
Standard Process also makes a nice cardiac support. Please keep in mind, that you want vitamins from a food source like standard process.. homeopathy also works well for this condition.
Dyanna McCain DVetHom
Holistic Animal Healing
Los Angeles, CA
hycodan
possibly vetmedin
Philip McHugh, DVM
Park Veterinary Hospital
Durham, NC
There are many excellent medications available but it is important that an accurate diagnosis is made by having your dog receive a complete cardiac evaluation either by a cardiologist or an internist experienced in cardiology. The evaluation typically includes thoracic radiographs, echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), blood pressure determination, and laboratory evaluation of blood and urine to determine if your dog can tolerate the medications indicated by the test results.
T. L. Medinger, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
VCA Aurora Animal Hospital
Aurora, IL