How Much Vetmedin Should I Give My Dog?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Dosage and Administration: Vetmedin should be administered orally at a total daily dose of

0.23 mg/lb (0.5 mg/kg) body weight

, using a suitable combination of whole or half tablets.

Can you give Vetmedin 3 times a day?

Some dogs do better with more frequent administration of Vetmedin and

it can be given three times a day

.

Can you give a dog too much Vetmedin?

Vetmedin has a narrow dosage range and

overdosage can occur somewhat easier than other medications

. Signs your dog may be overdosed on Vetmedin include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms you need to call your dog’s veterinarian.

Can I give my dog Vetmedin once a day?

How is Vetmedin given? Vetmedin is available as a chewable tablet or capsule. It 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).

Can you give Vetmedin 8 hours apart?

VETMEDIN® (pimobendan) capsules should be given to your dog in their mouth (orally) twice a day,

about 12 hours apart as directed by your veterinarian

. VETMEDIN capsules should be given about 1 hour before feeding. If you have any questions about administration, please contact your veterinarian.

Should Vetmedin be given on an empty stomach?


Vetmedin must be given on an empty stomach

, hence the hour before feeding (i would not feed even 2 hours before personally). This is to ensure the measured dose is broken down and metabolised in the correct time frame. If given with food, after food, or fed too early after taking, then the drug will not work properly.

How Long Can dogs live on 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.

How quickly does Vetmedin work?

Give this medication exactly as prescribed. This medication should take effect within

1 to 2 hours

; however, effects may not be visibly noticeable and therefore laboratory tests may be required to evaluate if the medication is working.

Does Vetmedin stop cough?

The typical treatment is a combination of oral medicines. A water pill is a must to clear the pulmonary edema and stop the coughing.

A medicine called Vetmedin is needed to increase the force of the heart muscle contraction

. Remember, the heart is very stretched out and beating poorly and not as a unified muscle.

Will Vetmedin hurt a healthy dog?

The highest dose of Vetmedin we usually would give would be 0.3mg/kg, so a 2.5mg tablet would be a slight overdose. This

should be well tolerated as long as the dog is healthy as this drug has a wide safety margin, but do watch for an abnormally fast heart rate or other abnormalities

.

Can I crush Vetmedin for dogs?

Tablets with an enteric coating and capsules are usually meant to be absorbed further down in the GI tract.

Even if you can crush a pill without affecting its potency, you may not be able to get your pet to eat it

.

What does Vetmedin do for a dog’s heart?

Pimobendan (Vetmedin) is used to give dogs with congestive heart disease and failure a longer life. It

helps the heart do it’s job more efficiently by opening up the blood vessels leading to and from your pet’s heart

.

What is benazepril 20 mg used for?

Benazepril is used alone or together with other medicines

to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)

. High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly.

How long can a senior dog live with congestive heart failure?

6 However, once congestive heart failure develops, survival time is expected to be

between 6 and 14 months

.

How long can a dog live with congestive heart failure on medication?

Once congestive heart failure develops, the survival time of affected dogs is expected to be

between 6 and 14 months

. Some dogs, however, can live for nearly three years with the right treatment regimen.

Should I put my dog down with congestive heart failure?

If the pet has a condition like congestive heart failure, or untreatable brain cancer — a disease that will, unchecked, lead to a painful death —

the recommendation may be for euthanasia sooner instead of later

.

What are side effects of Vetmedin?

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.

Can I open Vetmedin capsules?

VETMEDIN capsules come in a different form than VETMEDIN chewable tablets. Unlike VETMEDIN chewable tablets VETMEDIN capsules

cannot be cut or divided

.

Can Vetmedin be sprinkled on food?

As a general rule I try to

avoid breaking open capsules and spreading them on the food

as this could mean that your dog doesn’t always get the exact amount of medication.

How do I get my dog to take Vetmedin?

What are the end stages of congestive heart failure in dogs?

  • Frequent coughing.
  • Coughing up foam, or bloody foam.
  • Labored breathing.
  • Lethargy.
  • Weakness, or inability to exercise.
  • Fainting episodes.
  • Distended abdomen.
  • Decrease in appetite.
Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.