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THERAPY FOR HEART FAILURE IN PETS

Over the last 10 years, there have been several changes to the way we treat heart failure. There are also new drugs with less side effects than their predecessors.

More recently, we have seen the launch of Vetmedin in the UK and Australia. It is currently undergoing trials in the USA and Canada. Vetmedin holds great promise for dilated cardiomyopathy cases and some leaking heart valve problems.

These pages have a basic outline of the ways we treat heart failure. Of course, individual cases differ, so after reading these pages, it is best to discuss options with your own vet.

With the advent of cardiac ultrasound, it is advisable that all heart failure cases have this performed as an adjunct to traditional diagnostic test such as radiographs and ECG's (EKG's). This is a relatively specialised field, and if your vet can not provide it as as service, ask for a referral to a animal specialist centre which has a cardiac ultrasonographer.