Dogs, like humans, are susceptible to illnesses such as heart disease. Many medications are available, and your veterinarian will prescribe the best medicine for your dog's condition and in the correct dosage. Never give your pet medication for humans because it can have severe side effects. Dosages for animals are much smaller than those for humans.
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Heartworm Medicatons
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The first step in prevention of heartworm is having your pet tested. This disease is caused by parasitic worms that grow inside the chambers within the heart and large blood vessels. Heartworms are transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito. The microfilaria (larvae form) gets into a mosquito when it bites pets that are already infected. Once the infected mosquito bites another animal it enters the new animal through the bite. Once inside the bloodstream they block the flow of blood to the lungs and the heart, which in some cases cause death. However, giving monthly heartworm medication to your dog will easily prevent them from getting heartworms. Your veterinary will recommend the best medications for your dog.
Calcium Channel Blockers
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Several drugs are in this class. The purpose of these drugs is to allow the heart to work more efficiently. Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor) treats several heart conditions including hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and some rhythm abnormalities. Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc) is a treatment for hypertension.
Beta Blockers
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Many drugs fall under this class. These drugs allow the heart to work more efficiently by controlling and slowing down the heart rate. Atenolol (Tenormin) treats irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmia. Sotalol (Betapace) treats an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular tachycardia.
Ace Inhibitors
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This group of drugs decreases the retention of fluid and dilates blood vessels. Benazepril (Lotensin) regulates high blood pressure and treats heart failure. Enalapril (Enacard, Vasotec) controls high blood pressure, treats heart failure from dilated cardiomyopathy. Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) treats high blood pressure, heart valve disease and heart failure.
Mexiletine
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Mexiletine (Mexitil) is an antiarrhythmia agent used to treat ventricular arrhythmia, which is heartbeats that are irregular and associated with the ventricles of the heart.
Pimobendan
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Pimobendan (Vetmedin) helps the heart pump blood and treats heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral valve insufficiency.
Diuretics
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Diuretics remove the buildup of fluid from the lungs and abdomen. Furosemide (Lasix, Salix, Disal) treats heart failure, fluid in the lungs, high blood pressure and several other conditions. Spironolactone (Aldactone) treats heart failure and fluid in the abdomen when Furosemide no longer works. Veterinaries prescribe this when an animal hasn't responded to other diuretics. Another drug used if an animal does not respond to other diuretics is Sprionolacton plus hydrochlorothiazide (Aldactazide).
Epinephrine
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Epinephrine (Epinject, Adrenalin) among other uses is for cardiac resuscitation and only in life-threatening circumstances.
Digitalis
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Digoxin (Lanoxin, Cardoxin, Cardoxin LS) treats heart failure, arrhythmias and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Supplements
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Veterinarians may suggest supplements with the correct dosage when tests show that your pet is deficient in certain amino acids such as L-carnitine and taurine. Coenzyme Q helps strengthen the human heart muscle contractions. However, not enough information is available to prove that it helps dogs.
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