The veterinarian often prescribes a dog diagnosed with congestive heart failure a myriad of medications. Owners often do not understand the effects, good and bad, of the treatment. When caregivers go into their own medicine cabinets to administer human medications to their animals, the results can be toxic.
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Function
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Enalapril (also called Enocard in veterinary medicine) is used to treat animals with congestive heart disease. It is known as a vasodilator, which means that it causes the dog's blood vessels to dilate and allows for better blood flow and increased heart function. Aspirin is an NSAID, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. While it is known for thinning the blood of humans during cardiac incidents, it is not commonly used to treat dogs with heart disease. Aspirin may be recommended by veterinarians to treat the pain and inflammation associated with joint and muscle problems.
Significance
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In normal animals, enalapril does not have much effect on the heart because the chemical action that causes the blood vessels to constrict and inhibit blood flow is not there. Dogs with heart disease, however, produce an enzyme that affects the elasticity of the blood vessels and leads to poor heart function and high blood pressure. Enalapril effectively blocks this enzyme. Aspirin works by inhibiting the body's production of prostaglandin, a beneficial fatty acid that stimulates smooth muscle contraction and controls the passage of blood through the vascular system. These medical actions work to control pain and reduce swelling in the body of the dog.
Dosage
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For dogs, enalapril is usually started with a once-daily administration that may increase to twice a day if needed. Vets ordinarily prescribe this drug at the rate of one milligram per 4.4 pounds of weight. That means a dog weighing 44 to 45 pounds will get 10 milligrams a day. When recommended by veterinarians, aspirin is normally given at the rate of 5 to 15 milligrams per pound weight of the dog every 12 hours. A vet will usually recommend that aspirin be given after ingestion of a meal to lessen the chance of stomach upset.
Considerations
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Dogs on enalapril need to be monitored frequently to avoid hypotension---a too-low blood pressure. A veterinarian may also request a blood test to check on kidney function and electrolyte balance in the body three to seven days after initiating treatment and periodically from then on. If a veterinarian chooses to put a dog on aspirin therapy, the animal must be closely watched for any sign of gastric upset, ulcers and bleeding.
Warning
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Some dogs on enalapril have reduced kidney function resulting in azotemia, a buildup of toxins in the body. In particular, dogs also receiving high dosages of diuretics due to congestive heart disease can be predisposed to kidney impairment and should be seen frequently by the vet. Pregnant animals should not be given enalapril as it can cause birth defects and fetal death. Aspirin has been known to reduce the beneficial effects of enalapril, so veterinarians usually don't recommend the two drugs simultaneously. Stomach upsets and ulcers can occur in dogs using aspirin on a long-term basis; it is not recommended for animals on corticosteroids, such as prednisone. Aspirin has also been shown to decrease platelet formation in the blood, resulting in anti-coagulation disorders.
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