Vetmedin

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Cindie

Cindie

Member Since 2018
I'm wondering about other people's experience with Vetmedin. Gryphon is a 14 year old male Maine Coon with a lot of health issues, and he's not doing very well right now. He has diabetes, acromegaly, CKD just diagnosed, and has had several episodes of congestive heart failure, treated with Lasix. Our vet suspects HCM as his heart appears to be enlarged on an ultrasound. An echocardiogram and assessment by a Cardiologist would provide a more accurate diagnosis, but would involve a day of travel and more expense than we can afford right now. Our vet has recommended Vetmedin 1.25 mg twice daily. I'm a bit nervous about starting Gryphon on the Vetmedin as I have read that using it to treat cats is controversial, and that it could be harmful depending on the type of heart disease. I would find it helpful to know what other people have experienced with their cats. Thanks!
 
Cindie.

My previous diabetic (Smokey) was on vetmedin. It was compounded with 2 other meds. He was also on lasix and aspirin. He was 18 1/2 at the time. He was pretty bad cardiac wise. His echo showed a heart attack sometime within 6 months prior to his 1st cardio appt. His prognosis was poor. Six months later Smokey had follow up. During his echo the cardiologist says "holy s**t" I think he forget I was in room. Of course my heart stopped and I say it's that bad. Dr says oh no !! he showed great improvement. Heart wasn't enlarged anymore, no fluid ( he didn't have that anyway). His status changed to guarded. Smokey had no issues with the meds.

If you click on my profile his history (which was awful) is there under the info tab. It's short, there were a lot of issues with him. He passed from a thrombosis which also set off a severe asthma episode.
 
My Neko was put on Vetmedin by her cardiologist. He had done research on Vetmedin in cats, and it is fine to use, provided you have the proper diagnosis. Any chance Gryphon’s heart ultrasound could be sent to the cardio vet for review? Some cardio vets also do travelling consults. I vaguely remember something about Vetmedin being counterindicated for certain heart conditions. Anyway, it did help Neko fairly quickly.

Enlarged hearts are common with acros, also with Maine Coons.
 
Olive & Paula said:
Cindie.

My previous diabetic (Smokey) was on vetmedin. It was compounded with 2 other meds. He was also on lasix and aspirin. He was 18 1/2 at the time. He was pretty bad cardiac wise. His echo showed a heart attack sometime within 6 months prior to his 1st cardio appt. His prognosis was poor. Six months later Smokey had follow up. During his echo the cardiologist says "holy s**t" I think he forget I was in room. Of course my heart stopped and I say it's that bad. Dr says oh no !! he showed great improvement. Heart wasn't enlarged anymore, no fluid ( he didn't have that anyway). His status changed to guarded. Smokey had no issues with the meds.

If you click on my profile his history (which was awful) is there under the info tab. It's short, there were a lot of issues with him. He passed from a thrombosis which also set off a severe asthma episode.
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Thanks so much for this information! I'm so sorry that Smokey has passed, but it is wonderful to hear that the medication helped him so much!
 
Wendy&Neko said:
My Neko was put on Vetmedin by her cardiologist. He had done research on Vetmedin in cats, and it is fine to use, provided you have the proper diagnosis. Any chance Gryphon’s heart ultrasound could be sent to the cardio vet for review? Some cardio vets also do travelling consults. I vaguely remember something about Vetmedin being counterindicated for certain heart conditions. Anyway, it did help Neko fairly quickly.

Enlarged hearts are common with acros, also with Maine Coons.
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Thanks so much for your help with this, Wendy! The information I have found online is inconsistent and a bit confusing. Some articles say Vetmedin is contraindicated for HCM, and others suggest it's ok. I'm going to talk to my vet again about my concerns. Great idea to ask if Gryphon's ultrasound could be sent to a cardiologist for review!
 
I have had great success with vetmedin-My Rico was 17 when he was rushed to ER and dx with congestive Heart failure-the cardio put him on it and told me he might have 2-3 weeks to live-
Well I put him on it right away and he just passed at 21 years old and I swear vetmedin had much to do with it. Dre is also on it now as his heart is very enlarged. He is on a high dose and his last check up looked good. I am hopeful it will extend his life as much as possible as he is over 20 now. Good luck!
he is also on lasix *
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
I have had great success with vetmedin-My Rico was 17 when he was rushed to ER and dx with congestive Heart failure-the cardio put him on it and told me he might have 2-3 weeks to live-
Well I put him on it right away and he just passed at 21 years old and I swear vetmedin had much to do with it. Dre is also on it now as his heart is very enlarged. He is on a high dose and his last check up looked good. I am hopeful it will extend his life as much as possible as he is over 20 now. Good luck!
he is also on lasix *
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So nice to see you, how are things?
 
Olive & Paula said:
So nice to see you, how are things?
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Hi Paula:)
We are doing pretty good
Dre and I miss Rico terribly hopefully time will ease the pain. I had Dre in ER last Saturday he has a huge heart ( for a while now) and on a high dose of vetmedin ( we just increased it and increased lasix)
He had 200 ml of fluid in lungs she tapped and in oxygen overnight and so far he is doing really good.
The staff loves him they were taking pics with his oxygen helmet lol
His BW is good :)

How are you ?
Your kitty doing good?

So many new people this fd is really a epidemic !
 
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