Heart meds for heart murmer?
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- Supporter in '13
Chester is our 3 year old (approximate estimate) GP who has a congenital heart murmer caused by a tiny hole in his heart. We discovered it soon after we adopted him over two years ago, and he was seen by a cardiac ultrasound specialist. Both he, and all of the other vets we have seen over the years, said that one day Chester may need meds, but until then he should be fine until he starts to show symptoms.
He's had an on and off runny nose for a while that Bactrum hasn't completely knocked out. The only heart pig hints I see with him are his back feet are redder than normal, and he sleeps more deeply. Lately he seems a little more lazy than before, too, so I feel like the murmer may be starting to bother him, and I'm going to ask if get him a trial of meds. He has an appointment tomorrow with one of our vets who is usually pretty willing to work with us to try new things. I want to get him an x-ray, too, just to be safe that it isn't some URI that's flying under the radar even with the Bactrum.
Do other people here with pigs with murmers use heart meds? What is the best heart med to ask about? I know Lasix would not be indicated if it's just the murmer and no fluid in his lungs. Is Lotensin what people use?
He's had an on and off runny nose for a while that Bactrum hasn't completely knocked out. The only heart pig hints I see with him are his back feet are redder than normal, and he sleeps more deeply. Lately he seems a little more lazy than before, too, so I feel like the murmer may be starting to bother him, and I'm going to ask if get him a trial of meds. He has an appointment tomorrow with one of our vets who is usually pretty willing to work with us to try new things. I want to get him an x-ray, too, just to be safe that it isn't some URI that's flying under the radar even with the Bactrum.
Do other people here with pigs with murmers use heart meds? What is the best heart med to ask about? I know Lasix would not be indicated if it's just the murmer and no fluid in his lungs. Is Lotensin what people use?
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- You can quote me
Lotensin (a human med, and therefore readily available and readily compound-able) appears to be what most of us are using to start with.
Vetmedin can be added in if needed. Lotensin is an ACE-inhibitor; Vetmedin also provides heart support but through a different method of action. They can be used together.
Hopefully Pinta will see this and expand a little.
Vetmedin can be added in if needed. Lotensin is an ACE-inhibitor; Vetmedin also provides heart support but through a different method of action. They can be used together.
Hopefully Pinta will see this and expand a little.
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- Supporter in '13
A long overdue update on this little buddy. Chester saw our vet last week, and we got switched to Baytril and his runny nose problem seems to be eliminated.
He got an x-ray, though, and our vet felt that his heart looked somewhat enlarged most likely due to life with the murmer, but there doesn't appear to be any fluid surrounding the heart or lungs. He is open to the idea of trying heart meds, and mentioned the possibility of trying Enalapril. I asked about Lotensin and he said they would work similarly. Do any of you experienced with heart problems recommend one over the other, and what are the differences between these medications?
We have not had anything prescribed yet because he wanted to read the report the original cardiologist did when we first adopted Chester 2 years ago to see if he recommended meds. He did, but I noticed he had only mentioned Lasix if there is fluid present. Even though he didn't mention anything else, I think the fact that the cardiologist was recommending drugs will help us get something to help Chester out. Our current vet has never prescribed heart drugs for GP's, but he is open minded and hopefully we shouldn't have that much trouble getting one of the other meds.
Thanks to all who have replied so far!
He got an x-ray, though, and our vet felt that his heart looked somewhat enlarged most likely due to life with the murmer, but there doesn't appear to be any fluid surrounding the heart or lungs. He is open to the idea of trying heart meds, and mentioned the possibility of trying Enalapril. I asked about Lotensin and he said they would work similarly. Do any of you experienced with heart problems recommend one over the other, and what are the differences between these medications?
We have not had anything prescribed yet because he wanted to read the report the original cardiologist did when we first adopted Chester 2 years ago to see if he recommended meds. He did, but I noticed he had only mentioned Lasix if there is fluid present. Even though he didn't mention anything else, I think the fact that the cardiologist was recommending drugs will help us get something to help Chester out. Our current vet has never prescribed heart drugs for GP's, but he is open minded and hopefully we shouldn't have that much trouble getting one of the other meds.
Thanks to all who have replied so far!
Can someone find the literature on that?
I am stubborn cardiac ICU nurse... I go with what I know~
same class of drug... same effects, lots of drugs have new versions come out every year, change it a tiny bit and it can be marketed with a new name, and the patent is good for several years.
I am stubborn cardiac ICU nurse... I go with what I know~
same class of drug... same effects, lots of drugs have new versions come out every year, change it a tiny bit and it can be marketed with a new name, and the patent is good for several years.
- Mum
- I GAVE, dammit!
I can give you a link to the information on Fortekor in animals (lotensin):
http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/ ... ekor.shtml
http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/ ... ekor.shtml
Hi Kermie. My piggie has been on Enalapril for almost 2 weeks. I have not noticed a cough. I mentioned to my vet about lotensin, she said to just monitor water intake closely. If we notice changes in water consumption we can take that as a symptom the kidneys could be becoming effected and change the med. His med is working for him so we would hate to change him seeing he has been chronicly gassy for so long we don't want to waste time helping find the right heart med that will work for him.