Vetmedin®
Your vet has prescribed Vetmedin® for your dog because they have been diagnosed with heart disease, either Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) or Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).
When used in dogs in the early stage of their disease (the asymptomatic stage), Vetmedin® can help delay the onset of heart failure and keep them symptom-free for longer. And for dogs in heart failure, Vetmedin® can relieve the symptoms and help your dog have a more comfortable life.
Vetmedin® for dogs with MVD:
Vetmedin® can be used to treat dogs that have asymptomatic MVD with an enlarged heart. By giving dogs Vetmedin® before they start to show symptoms of heart failure it is possible to:
- Reduce their heart size1
- Slow down the disease progression2
- Extend their symptom-free time by delaying the onset of heart failure2
- Improve their quality and length of life2
Vetmedin® can be used to treat dogs with heart failure due to MVD.
Vetmedin® for dogs with DCM:
Vetmedin® can be used to treat Dobermans with asymptomatic DCM. By giving Dobermans Vetmedin® before they start to show symptoms of heart failure it is possible to:
- Extend their symptom-free time by delaying the onset of heart failure3
- Extend their overall survival time3
Vetmedin® can be used to treat dogs with heart failure due to DCM.
Should you have any concerns or questions about your dog’s condition or their Vetmedin® treatment then you should consult your vet.
Your Vetmedin® questions answered
How can Vetmedin® help a dog with heart disease?
When used in dogs with asymptomatic MVD or DCM, Vetmedin® can help delay the onset of heart failure and keep them symptom-free for longer.
When used in dogs with heart failure, Vetmedin® can relieve the symptoms and help your dog have a more comfortable life.
How does Vetmedin® work?
Vetmedin® is a treatment for dogs with heart disease. It acts in two ways:
- To open up the blood vessels carrying blood to and from the heart, which reduces the work your dog’s heart has to do to pump blood around their body.
- To increase the strength and efficiency of your dog’s heartbeat, improving the pumping action.
How is Vetmedin® given?
Vetmedin® should be given to your dog by mouth twice a day, approximately one hour before food, ideally in the morning and evening (roughly 12 hours apart). Your vet will tell you how much Vetmedin® to give to your dog.
How long will my dog require treatment with Vetmedin®?
For as long as your dog is responding well to treatment. This is likely to mean for the rest of his or her life. During this time Vetmedin® may be given alone or alongside other medication.
Is it safe to split Vetmedin® tablets in half?
Yes, Vetmedin® tablets are scored and are designed to be split into 2 halves for more accurate dosing.
How long does Vetmedin® take to work?
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.
For dogs with asymptomatic MVD or DCM, who are not yet showing any symptoms of their heart disease, it’s likely that you won’t notice any obvious changes after starting treatment with Vetmedin®. Be assured that Vetmedin® is at work reducing the size of your dog's heart, helping to slow down their heart disease and extending the time that they have without symptoms. This is why it is so important to make sure your dog takes their prescribed dose as directed.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s heart disease, please contact your vet.
Does Vetmedin® have any side effects?
Normally dogs tolerate Vetmedin® very well. It is rare for side effects to be observed. If you are concerned about your dog for any reason, please contact your vet for advice.
What if I miss giving a dose of Vetmedin®?
Don’t worry. Just give the next dose at the normal time. There’s no need to give a higher dose.
Questions you may have about your dog’s heart disease
Will my dog need check-ups with my vet?
As with any long term medication, you should take your dog to see your vet regularly. At first these visits may be more frequent. When your dog has been stabilised on Vetmedin®, the interval between visits may increase. However, if your dog’s condition deteriorates, you may need to visit your vet more often. Your vet will advise you how frequently they will need to check your dog based on their individual condition.
How do I know if my dog’s heart disease is getting worse?
There are several ways you can monitor your dog’s heart condition:
- Regular check-ups with your vet who can listen to your dog’s heart and assess their activity level, body condition and demeanour.
- By measuring your dog’s resting respiratory rate each week
- By keeping a diary of their day-to-day activities so that you can track any changes that indicate whether their condition is stable or worsening.
How long will my dog live on Vetmedin®?
It’s not easy to predict how quickly a dog will go into heart failure after being diagnosed with asymptomatic MVD or how quickly heart failure will progress in an individual dog. Your vet will monitor your dog’s condition and advise you more on this.
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[1] Boswood A, Gordon SG, Häggström J, et al. Longitudinal analysis of quality of life, clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory variables in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease receiving pimobendan or placebo: the EPIC Study. J Vet Intern Med. 2018;32:72-85.
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[2] Boswood, A. et al. Effect of pimobendan in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease and cardiomegaly: The EPIC study – A randomized clinical trial. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30, 1765-1779.
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[3] Summerfield, N. et al. Efficacy of pimobendan in the prevention of congestive heart failure or sudden death in Doberman Pinschers with preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy (the PROTECT study). J Vet Intern Med. 2012;26(6), 1337-49.