In this article on our site we are going to talk about Furosemide for dogs This drug is one of the diuretics that can be prescribed by a veterinarian to promote the elimination of liquids. It should be insisted that we can only administer furosemide to our dog following strict veterinary control. If self-medication is never advisable, giving this active ingredient on our own can have very serious consequences for the dog, as we will explain below.
Keep reading to discover the dose of furosemide for dogs, the different presentations of the drug, the possible side effects and in which cases it is better not manage it.
What is furosemide used for in dogs?
Furosemide is an active ingredient that has a diuretic effect, which means that it serves to eliminate liquids when they have accumulated in excess in the body. It is a drug that is also used in human medicine. It is good to know that we currently have other diuretics, such as torasemide, which are sometimes more effective and can also be prescribed by a vet.
There are several causes that lead to the accumulation of liquids that we are talking about. For this reason, the use of furosemide in dogs with heart disease stands out. In heart diseases there are a series of alterations in the body that favor the accumulation of fluid in different parts of the body. An example of this is the administration of furosemide in dogs with ascites, where fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, or in dogs with pulmonary edema, where excess fluid is found in the lungs. Likewise, heart failure is another problem that may require the use of furosemide.
The above are probably the most common uses of furosemide for dogs, along with the cases of kidney disease, since these dogs They can also suffer from edema. This drug can be administered on a one-off or long-term basis.
How does furosemide for dogs work?
The effect of diuretics is usually rapid, although this action time and its maintenance varies depending on the active ingredient selected by the veterinarian. We will notice it perfectly because, by eliminating the excess liquids, the dog will feel the urge to urinate and will do so abundantly. This mechanism usually quickly improves the dog's condition. For example, a dog with pulmonary edema is likely to have coughing and less or more severe breathing difficulties, as the presence of fluid in his lungs interferes with his ability to get enough oxygen. With the consumption of diuretics it is sought that breathing becomes more fluid and, therefore, cough is reduced.
Introducing Furosemide for Dogs
This drug can be presented in two formats:
- Injectable
- On tablets
Both furosemide injectable and furosemide tablets must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Likewise, both formats offer the same results, although it should be noted that injectable furosemide is usually more effective and faster than furosemide for dogs in oral doses.
Furosemide Dosage for Dogs
We cannot give an exact dose of furosemide that works for all dogs. There is no fixed amount of drug or a single administration schedule. This is because each dog is going to present their own painting. Dogs will accumulate more or less fluid, show mild or severe symptoms, or vary their state of hydration. For this reason, a maximum and a minimum dose of furosemide has been established and the veterinarian will choose the most appropriate, taking into account the aspects that we have mentioned.
In addition, depending on the evolution of the dog, this dose of furosemide may be modified, as well as the number of times that must be administered daily. For all these reasons, even if our dog has already received furosemide, we should not give him that old dose on our own, as it could be insufficient, so there would be no improvement, or counterproductive for his current state, even leading to intoxication in the dog.
Furosemide in dogs: side effects
We must bear in mind that, as furosemide will eliminate fluids, it is crucial that we control hydration Inadequate administration of diuretics can lead to the dog becoming dehydrated. Therefore, in the most serious or acute cases, the diuretic will have to be administered directly by the veterinarian. To do this, the dog is admitted and given both diuretics and fluids intravenously. In this way, the balance between the fluids that are replenished and those that are lost is controlled.
Although medications have a high safety margin, they can cause side effects, such as transient diarrhea, and, if we exceed the appropriate dose of furosemide for dogs, intoxication. The furosemide poisoning becomes serious, although it will depend on the condition of the dog and the amount administered. It produces symptoms such as the following:
- Severe dehydration.
- Thirst.
- Passing large amounts of urine.
- Apathy.
- Acute renal failure, a life-threatening situation for the dog. It is a veterinary emergency.
- Neurological symptoms such as seizures.
- Heart rhythm disturbance.
Furosemide contraindications in dogs
Regarding contraindications, extreme precautions must be taken in dogs with low blood pressure, dehydrated, when they suffer from kidney disease without urine production, with liver problems or diabetes. You also have to be careful if it is a pregnant or lactating bitch. Likewise, its administration in elderly dogs or weakened dogs should be closely monitored.
