Cardalis Tablets for Dogs
What are Cardalis Tablets for dogs?
Cardalis for Dogs is a new treatment for congestive heart failure and combines the diuretic Spironolactone with the ACE inhibitor Benazeapril. Cardalis is available in strengths of 2.5mg/20mg, 5mg/40mg and 10mg/80mg.Cardalis has been classified as a prescription-only medication or POM-V and as such is only available on prescription.
How do Cardalis Tablets work?
Cardalis tablets are a newly developed medication, indicated for dogs suffering with congestive heart failure. Cardalis contains a medicine called spironolactone. This drug is known as a diuretic ( a potassium-sparing diuretic) and can be helpful in reducing fluid build-up. However, it has been found that another, possibly more important property is that it spironolactone can help to prevent the scarring of heart tissue that can occur as the heart changes in structure (myocardial fibrosis), as often happens in cases of heart failure. Scarring or fibrosis can lead to an abnormal conduction of electrical impulses through the heart which may result in arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. Benazepril, the other medicine present in cardalis, is known as an ACE-inhibitor (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor). This medicine is designed to reduce the re-absorption of fluid by the kidneys, a pathway that adds to the fluid accumulation in cases of congestive heart failure.
What are the symptoms of heart failure in dogs?
In cases of congestive heart failure, dogs accumulate fluid within the lung tissue (pulmonary oedema) or within body cavities (pleural effusion or ascites). Dogs generally either suffer from either pulmonary oedema (forward or left sided failure) or with ascites (fluid accumulating within the abdomen - known as right sided or backward failure). The type of fluid that accumulates will depend upon the underlying heart disease. General signs of heart failure include a reluctance to exercise, breathlessness, increased respiratory rate, pale gums and occasionally a moist cough or bloated abdomen. As the majority of these symptoms are fairly non-specific, it is essential that you seek diagnosis from a qualified veterinary surgeon.
A Veterinary Prescription is needed before we can dispense Cardalis
Treating congestive heart failure with Cardalis
Cardalis is a reasonably new product to reach the veterinary market, and has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure caused by chronic degenerative valve disease in dogs. Cardalis is manufactured by Ceva Animal Health, and contains the active ingredients benazepril hydrochloride and spironolactone.
Cardalis contains two active ingredients in balance for the optimal reduction of the harmful effects of canine heart failure, and scientific studies on the use of Cardalis in dogs have demonstrated significant improvements in both the life expectancy and quality of life of dogs treated with this medication. Cardalis can also be used in conjunction with other heart medications to increase its benefits, and is designed for lifelong use in affected dogs, with the minimum of potential side effects or secondary complications.
Why might my dog be prescribed Cardalis?
Cardalis may be prescribed if your dog is suffering from congestive heart failure caused by chronic degenerative valvular disease, with additional diuretic support, if appropriate.
How does Cardalis work?
Congestive heart failure can cause a multitude of systemic effects in the dog, including narrowing of the body’s blood vessels, fibrosis (scarring) of the walls of the blood vessels and thickening of the walls of the heart, all of which serve to raise your dog’s blood pressure and make the already damaged heart have to work harder to successfully circulate blood around the body and pump effectively.
Cardalis helps to open the body’s blood vessels, prevent thickening of the heart walls, and prevent fibrosis of the walls of the blood vessels, as well as reducing the stiffening of the heart muscle itself that is one of the signatures of congestive heart failure. Cardalis also reduces the accumulation of fluid within the body, which in turn, helps to lower blood pressure.
Some of the most common symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs include exercise intolerance, loss of appetite and a persistent, soft cough that is not related to exertion or exercise; Cardalis helps to improve all of these symptoms, greatly improving your dog’s quality of life, and extending their viable lifespan in relatively good health and comfort.
Is Cardalis suitable for all dogs?
Cardalis should not be used in pregnant or lactating bitches, nor in dogs that are intended to be used for breeding later on. Cardalis is not suitable for use in dogs that are not fully grown, as it may inhibit normal growth and development in juvenile dogs.
Cardalis should not be used in conjunction with NSAIDS in dogs with chronic renal insufficiency, nor should it be prescribed to dogs diagnosed with hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia, or hypoadrenocorticism.
Cardalis should not be prescribed for dogs that have proven to be hypersensitive to ACE inhibitors, nor dogs suffering from aortic or pulmonic stenosis, or cardiac output failure.
How is Cardalis administered?
Cardalis comes in the form of a beef-flavoured tablet for oral administration, and should be given once per day either just before a meal, or with food. Cardalis is a fixed combination product, containing two active ingredients, and as such, should only be given to dogs for whom the use of both active ingredients has been deemed necessary.
Cardalis should be administered in dosages calculated by the weight of the dog, at the rate of 0.25mg/kg of benazepril hydrochloride, and 2mg/kg of spironolactone.
Are there any side effects?
Cardalis is usually well tolerated by dogs, but as with any medications, some side effects may potentially occur.
Spironolactone, one of the two active ingredients in Cardalis, may cause reversible prostatic atrophy in entire (unneutered) male dogs, and Cardalis may potentially interact with various other medications that have been prescribed to your dog as well. When you are discussing your dog’s medications with your vet with a view to prescribing Cardalis, it is important that you tell your vet about any supplements or vitamins that you feed to your dog, as in some cases, these can interact with veterinary medications as well.
How can I get Cardalis for my dog?
Cardalis is a POM-V medication, which means that it can only be obtained with a veterinary prescription. Once your vet has approved the use of Cardalis for your dog and prescribed this medication, you can ask them to issue you with a prescription that can be used to purchase Cardalis from us.
Cardalis must be given daily as a lifelong medication in order to improve your dog’s quality of life and hopefully, extend their viable lifespan, and as such, you should not stop giving Cardalis to your dog nor change their dosage without first consulting with your vet.
You should also speak to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s treatment with Cardalis, or any other issues relating to your dog’s ongoing health.
