Furosemide For Dogs - Side Effects

So, what is Furosemide for dogs used for? Furosemide is an active substance with diuretic effect, which means that it serves to remove fluids that have accumulated in excess in the body. Furosemide is also used in human medicine. It is important to know that, at present, there are other diuretics on the market, such as torasemide, which are also prescribed by veterinarians and are considered more effective.

The causes of liquid accumulation in the body are many, and can vary largely according to an individual. The use of Furosemide in dogs with cardiac problems is common. Heart diseases in dogs often causes are a series of alterations in the body that favor the accumulation of fluid retention in different parts of the body. An example of this is the administration of Furosemide for dogs with ascites, which causes the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Another example is the use of Furosemide for pulmonary edemas in dogs, when excess fluid is found in the lungs. Additionally, heart failure is another pathology that may require the use of Furosemide.

The most common use of Furosemide for dogs, however, are for canines suffering from kidney problems. This drug can be administered for both short or long terms.

For more, we recommend reading our article where we discuss kidney failure in dogs.

The effect of diuretics for dogs is generally rapid, although this time of action and maintenance varies depending on the active ingredient selected by the veterinarian. Once your dog begins treatment, the elimination of fluids will be obvious, evident in the form of a dog urinating in abundance. This form of treatment usually improves a dog’s condition quickly. For example, a dog with a pulmonary edema usually experiences coughing and breathing difficulties, since the presence of fluid in the lungs interferes with its ability to receive sufficient oxygen. With the use of diuretics, it is sought that the breathing improves and coughing is reduced.

Furosemide for dogs presentation:

This drug can be presented in two forms:

• Injection
• Tablet form

Both Ffurosemide injections and Furosemide tablets must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Likewise, both forms offer the same results, although it should be noted that injectable Furosemide is usually more effective and faster than when taken orally.

The exact dosage of Furosemide for dogs varies according to the individual. There is no fixed Furosemide amount or a single administration schedule. Some dogs accumulate more fluid and show more severe symptoms than others. Therefore, a maximum and a minimum dosage of Furosemide for dogs has to be appropriately established by a veterinarian, according to the individual.

In addition, depending on how the treatment progresses, the dosage may be modified, as well as the number of times it should be administered per day. If your dog has already received Furosemide in the past, do not offer it the same dosage. If not re-examined, the dosage may be too high or too low and could result in dog poisoning.

One must bear in mind that, since Furosemide promotes the elimination of fluids in the body, it is crucial that hydration is monitored and controlled. Improper administration of diuretics can cause dehydration in dogs. Therefore, in the most severe or acute cases, Furosemide will have to be administered directly by the veterinarian. For this, a dog is admitted and, intravenously, both diuretics and fluids are administered. In this way the balance between the liquids that are replaced and those that are lost is controlled.

Although this medication generally has a high safety margin, it does carry some side effects. The most common furosemide in dogs side effects include transient diarrhea, and, if dosage is not controlled, intoxication. Furosemide poisoning in dogs is serious, and if any of the below poisoning symptoms are noticed, we recommend consulting a veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms of Furosemide in dogs poisoning include:

• Dehydration
• Thirst
• Elimination of large amounts of urine
• Apathy
• Acute renal failure, life-threatening situation for the dog (a veterinary emergency)
• Neurological symptomatology, such as seizures
• Changes in heart rhythm

Contraindications of Furosemide for dogs

As for contraindications, caution should be taken in dogs with low blood pressure, dehydrated dogs, dogs suffering from kidney disease, dogs with liver problems or dogs with diabetes. Extra care should also be taken with pregnant or lactating dogs. Likewise, its administration in elderly dogs or dogs with low immunity should be closely monitored.

For more, we recommend reading our article about liver failure in dogs.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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