Vetmedin (Pimobendan) for Dogs

If your dog is suffering from congestive heart failure, your veterinarian may prescribe a medication called Vetmedin (pimobendan) to help your dog’s heart pump more efficiently. This medication is well-tolerated by most dogs and it can be safely combined with other cardiac medications, such as diuretics, digoxin, and enalapril.  

Read on to learn more about how Vetmedin can help your dog, and how to safely use and store this medication at home.

What Is Vetmedin (Pimobendan)?

Vetmedin (pimobendan) is a prescription veterinary medication that is used in the management of congestive heart failure in dogs. It is an inodilator, which means it works by strengthening contractions of the heart muscle (contractility) and by dilating the blood vessels that take blood away from the heart. This combination helps the heart to pump more efficiently.  

Vetmedin is currently FDA approved for the management of signs of mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Vetmedin is not FDA approved for use in cats, but is sometimes used off-label in this species.

Pet parents can get a prescription for Vetmedin through their primary care veterinarian or through a specialist, such as a cardiologist or an internist.  

What Does Vetmedin for Dogs Look Like?

Vetmedin typically comes in the form of a chewable tablet, which is oblong, brown, and scored in the middle. It is also available as an oral solution if your dog prefers liquid medication. If you have trouble giving your dog their medication, ask your veterinarian about alternative dose forms of pimobendan, such as soft chews.

How Does Vetmedin Work?

Vetmedin (pimobendan) is a positive inotrope, which means that it increases contractility of the heart. It also acts as a vasodilator, making small blood vessels called arterioles open, which decreases resistance to blood flow and reduces the heart’s workload.  

What Is Vetmedin Used For in Dogs?

Vetmedin is used for dogs with the following conditions:

• Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Vetmedin is used to manage heart failure in dogs. This medication prolongs survival in dogs in left heart failure due to mitral regurgitation. It is hypothesized that Vetmedin also prolongs survival in dogs with heart failure due to DCM, but there is little data available on this subject to date. Vetmedin also prolongs the time to onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with advanced subclinical mitral valve disease.  

How to Give Vetmedin to Dogs

Vetmedin is administered by mouth in the form of a chewable tablet or liquid. Vetmedin is best absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in the absence of food, and should be given on an empty stomach at least 60 minutes prior to feeding.  

Vetmedin for Dogs Side Effects

In most dogs, Vetmedin is well-tolerated. Side effects that have been reported with Vetmedin (pimobendan) include:

• Poor appetite
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Trouble breathing
• Weakness
• Pleural effusion
• Syncope

Reported side effects in patients may be related to pre-existing cardiac disease. If your dog experiences side effects while taking Vetmedin, stop giving the medication and contact your veterinarian right away.

Reactions with Other Drugs and Medications

Certain drugs, such as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, may diminish the effectiveness of Vetmedin for dogs.  

Vetmedin Dosage for Dogs

The dosage of Vetmedin for dogs varies depending on your dog’s size and the type and severity of your dog’s heart condition. Your veterinarian will determine the best dosage of Vetmedin for your dog’s individual needs. Always follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions closely.

What If My Dog Misses a Dose of Vetmedin?

If your dog misses a dose of Vetmedin, give the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s too close to the next dose, do not give two doses at the same time. Simply skip the missed dose and continue on with the dosing schedule as prescribed. Never increase your dog’s dose of Vetmedin unless directed to do so by your veterinarian.

Cost of Vetmedin for Dogs

The cost of Vetmedin varies depending on the size of the tablet your pet is prescribed. In general, you can expect to spend about $60-$160 on a 50-count bottle of Vetmedin tablets. The cost for the oral solution is around $75 for a 50mL bottle.

Vetmedin Storage Instructions

Vetmedin chewable tablets should be kept in their original container and stored in a dry place at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Short-term exposure to temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit are allowed. The oral solution should be stored at or below 77 degrees, with excursions up to 86 degrees permitted.