Vetmedin for dogs
Formulation
Tablet / Capsules
Active ingredient
Pimobendan
Category
Heart
What is Vetmedin?
Vetmedin is a brand name for the medication pimobendan. It belongs to a class of drugs called inodilators. These drugs are designed to help the heart function more efficiently.
Vetmedin (pimobendan) is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs, and is also used to help slow the progression of the heart conditions Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
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How does Vetmedin work?
The pimobendan in Vetmedin works by enhancing the heart’s ability to pump blood. It does this by:
- Improving contractions: Vetmedin strengthens the contractions of the heart muscle, improving its pumping efficiency. It does this by making the heart muscle more responsive to calcium. This improves the heart’s pumping without speeding up the heart rate.
- Dilating blood vessels: The medication also dilates blood vessels, reducing the workload on the heart and improving blood flow. It does this by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase III.
What is Vetmedin used for?
Vetmedin is primarily used to manage heart conditions in dogs, including:
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Helps alleviate symptoms such as difficulty breathing and lethargy.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): Supports heart function in dogs with this condition.
What are the side effects of Vetmedin in dogs?
While generally well-tolerated, Vetmedin for dogs may have side effects, including:
- Loss of Appetite: Some dogs may experience a temporary loss of interest in food.
- Increased heart rate: A mild increase in heart rate is sometimes noted, but can usually be returned to normal by reducing the dose. This happens in less than 1 in 1000 dogs.
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea: Less than 1 in 1000 dogs experience mild digestive upset. This can usually be reversed by reducing the dose.
- Lethargy, wobbliness and weakness: Some dogs experience sleepiness and decreased energy levels. This may be reduced with a lower dose
- Bleeding disorders: In less than 1 in 10,000 dogs, bleeding gums and bruising may occur. These go away when Vetmedin is stopped.
All drugs have side effects, but the side effects of Vetmedin won’t happen to all dogs. In many cases, what appears to be a side effect of Vetmedin is actually a coincidence. That said, if you do suspect your dog has a Vetmedin side effect, you should talk to your vet. They may need to intervene or change your dog’s drug regime. They should also report the side effects to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the drug company. This reporting allows monitoring of drug side effects and can lead to drugs being withdrawn or drug information changed to take the new side effects into account.
As a pet owner, you can also report a suspected side effect to the VMD if you think Arthrocam caused problems for your pet. Or, read our article for more advice about reporting suspected pet drug side effects to the VMD.
Which pets is Vetmedin not suitable for?
The following pets should not have Vetmedin, or extreme caution should be used. Make sure your vet is aware of your dog’s other health conditions and medications when they’re prescribing pimobendan/Vetmedin:
- Vetmedin should not be given to dogs with severe liver problems
- Vetmedin should not be used in hypertrophic cardiomyopathies or aortic stenosis
- Vetmedin should not be used in dogs with allergies to any of the ingredients
Vetmedin should be used in caution in:
- Dogs with DCM and ventricular tachycardia
- Dogs with DCM and atrial fibrillation
- Dogs with MVD and significant tachyarrhythmia
- Pregnant or lactating dogs
How to give Vetmedin safely
- Follow vet instructions: Always use Vetmedin exactly as your vet has prescribed. This includes the right dose and frequency. Never adjust the dose on your own, even if your pet seems to be feeling better or worse. If you aren’t sure of the dose prescribed, please call your vet to confirm.
- Give Vetmedin on an empty stomach: Aim for about 60 minutes before feeding to ensure optimal absorption.
- Check with your vet if giving anything else: Your vet should be aware of other drugs your pet is on, but it’s always worth double-checking in case there’s been a miscommunication somewhere. If your dog is on supplements or non-prescription treatments you should also tell your vet when they prescribe Vetmedin, as they may not be suitable to be given together.
- Storage and handling: Store Vetmedin in a cool, dry place below 25C. Make sure it’s out of reach of children and other pets. Use any divided tablets within 3 days.
- Report any accidental overdose to your vet immediately: If you have mistakenly given too much Vetmedin, report it to your vet as soon as you realise the error. An overdose can have serious complications. Emergency treatment is often necessary depending on the severity of the overdose.
How much monitoring do dogs on Vetmedin need?
Moderate
While there are no specific blood tests needed, dogs on Vetmedin will need monitoring for deterioration and need for other drugs
Vetmedin doesn’t have particular blood tests required like some drugs do, but your vet will need to re-assess your pet periodically – usually at a maximum of every 3 months, unless they’re in preclinical stages and very stable. This might involve a clinical exam, a heart ultrasound, blood pressure checks, or other tests. However, these tests are needed due to the condition Vetmedin is being prescribed for, rather than the drug itself.
What does Vetmedin cost?
£££ – Expensive
Vetmedin can cost £20-180 per month
As with all drugs, the cost of Vetmedin depends on the size of your dog and the dose, as well as whether they’re on hard capsules or chewable tablets. For a small, 5kg dog, they might be costing as little as £0.50 per day, not counting prescription and dispensing charges. A large, 40kg dog can cost up to £6 per day.
Remember, Vetmedin is a prescription-only medicine so you will need a prescription from your vet, but you can purchase it from any pharmacy once you have this. This can keep costs down, although you should consider the cost of the prescription and postage before you make a decision.
Vetmedin FAQs
Does Vetmedin work immediately?
Vetmedin starts working approximately 1-2 hours after administration, reaching its peak effect in about 6-8 hours. However, noticeable improvements in your dog’s symptoms may take several days or even weeks.
Can Vetmedin be crushed or split?
It’s important never to crush or split Vetmedin tablets. You may affect the accuracy of the dosing by crushing or splitting the tablets leading to an underdose or overdose. If you are struggling to give your dog their Vetmedin, you should not crush Vetmedin tablets but instead talk to your vet about alternative options.
It is not recommended to crush or split any dog medicines without consulting your veterinarian first.
How long can my dog live on Vetmedin?
How long your dog lives on Vetmedin or another brand of pimobendan depends on the stage of disease they were at when they started treatment. That said, dogs can live for a year or more after starting Vetmedin treatment for Mitral Valve Disease (MVD).
For more information about the prognosis of dogs with MVD, especially at different stages of the disease, see our mitral valve disease e-learning course. This course has been written by vets to help you understand your dog’s disease and their prognosis, using the best available evidence.
Can Vetmedin be used in cats?
Vetmedin is not currently approved for use in cats. It is specifically formulated for use in dogs. However, vets may use drugs ‘off-license’ under the prescribing cascade when they feel there is a clinical need and there are no suitable licensed drugs. In most cases, other drugs are better for cats, but some cats might be given Vetmedin under the guidance of a cardiology specialist.
Does Vetmedin have to be given exactly 12 hours apart?
Vetmedin is usually given in two doses, 12 hours apart. This doesn’t have to be exact to the minute, but you should try not to vary it more than an hour each way as this can lead to overdose and underdose. Don’t forget, Vetmedin should be given an hour before food.
Can my dog miss a day of Vetmedin?
Ideally, stabilised dogs should receive their doses on time for maximum efficiency. If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for the next dose in which case skip the missed dose and continue with the routine as planned with the next dose.
Your dog is unlikely to have any ill effects from missing a dose or two of Vetmedin, but it could cause their heart condition to worsen if the Vetmedin has been supporting them.
How long can my dog go without Vetmedin?
The active ingredient in Vetmedin, pimobendan, has a short half-life, which means it’s lost from the body quickly – that’s why Vetmedin needs to be given twice a day.
There’s no way to tell how long an individual dog can go without Vetmedin, as it depends on how much the drug is helping them. Within 24 hours, there’s unlikely to be much pimobendan left in their system, meaning they’re no longer getting support from the drug. Their heart disease will likely continue to deteriorate. Whether this results in immediate symptoms or not depends on their individual case. In general, it’s not a good idea for a dog who needs Vetmedin to go without, but in most cases, 24 hours without the drug are unlikely to result in immediate or severe problems.
Is Vetmedin used for heart murmur?
Vetmedin doesn’t specifically treat heart murmurs, but it has positive effects on the heart that can slow progression of some heart diseases. For instance, Vetmedin is often prescribed to dogs with Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) which is the most common cause of a heart murmur in dogs. In these dogs, Vetmedin can slow progression to heart failure.
For more information about MVD, please visit our e-learning course Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
Can Vetmedin make my dog worse?
Vetmedin is an extremely useful drug for many dogs with common heart conditions. That said, it can have side effects. While these are usually mild, it’s possible these side effects can make your dog seem worse. Despite this very rare possibility, vets continue to advise Vetmedin for dogs due to its benefits. It has been proven to extend the lifespan of dogs living with some heart diseases, and many, many owners owe additional months or years with their pet to this drug.
In addition, it’s important to understand that the diseases Vetmedin helps to treat are progressive, and dogs will get worse despite being on Vetmedin. This can make it look like the Vetmedin made your dog worse, when actually they were going to get worse anyway.
Having said that, if you suspect Vetmedin has made your dog worse you should talk to your vet immediately. They may adjust the dose or start your dog on different drugs like furosemide (Frusidale, Furosivet, Libeo, Furosoral). If they suspect a Vetmedin side effect, they will report it to the VMD, who monitor reactions to drugs.
Can Vetmedin be given 2 hours after food?
Vetmedin needs to be given on an empty stomach. This means it’s usually best to give it an hour before feeding, so that all of the medicine can be absorbed. If this doesn’t work with your daily routine, you may be able to give Vetmedin after food. Ideally, this should be 4 hours after feeding, and don’t forget to space the two doses 12 hours apart.
If you are struggling with the timing of giving your dog their pimobendan, your vet can advise you.
Vetmedin Alternatives
If your dog can’t take Vetmedin, your vet might be able to prescribe Vetmedin alternatives. First, consider trying an alternative form of Vetmedin. It comes in both hard capsules and chewable tablets, and you might find one of these suits your dog better.
If this doesn’t help, consider whether a different flavour may help your dog take their tablets. Vetmedin is artificial beef flavour, so you could try:
- Zelys – a pork liver-flavoured chewable pimobendan tablet
- Pimotab or Cardisan – chicken flavoured chewable pimobendan tablets
There is currently no licensed pimobendan liquid in the UK, but your vet may be able to get one made up if your dog won’t take their Vetmedin tablets.
Combination Products
These are useful if your dog is on several medications, and you would find it easier to give them fewer tablets. Fortekor Plus is a combination of pimobendan and benazepril hydrochloride.
Natural Alternatives to Vetmedin
There are no known natural alternatives to Vetmedin – it’s a specific drug that’s been carefully tested and proven to be effective and fairly safe. No natural alternatives do the same thing, as far as current science goes. There are some natural ways to help heart disease that we discuss in our Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs course, but we don’t recommend stopping pimobendan in favour of natural methods.
Don’t forget, Vetmedin and its alternatives are prescription-only products in the UK. That means you’ll need to talk to your vet about your dog’s treatment and they will need to prescribe an alternative if they think it’s necessary. It’s up to your vet to choose the right drug for your dog, the information above is only to help you understand that there may be suitable alternatives, and to seek help from your vet if your dog won’t take their Vetmedin tablets.
Vetmedin Datasheet
All drugs have a manufacturer’s datasheet, which gives information about the drug’s use and possible side effects. There is usually one in your Vetmedin box, but if you have lost it you can click on the button below to be taken on an online version.
More information for dogs on Vetmedin
If your dog has been prescribed Vetmedin, our vet-written e-learning courses can help. We’ll help you understand what your dog’s condition is doing to them, how they’ll change as time goes on, and everything you can do at home to help.
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Please note that the information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only. Although it has been written by a vet, we cannot consider the individual nature of your pet’s problems so it does not constitute veterinary advice. If you have questions about your pet’s medication or their health you should contact a vet, who will be able to help.
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