My Cat Ate Vetmedin What Should I Do?

Sometimes our cats eat things they shouldn’t. This may include plants, parts of cat toys, string, or even medication meant for other pets, such as our dogs. Even when we do everything possible to keep our cats from access medications, accidents do happen.

Has your cat eaten Vetmedin? Are you worried Vetmedin will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll take a look at Vetmedin and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!

What is Vetmedin?

Vetmedin is a veterinary prescription medication that’s for dogs. It treats mild, moderate, or severe congestive heart failure in dogs, which is caused by atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. This medication helps a dog’s heart to pump more efficiently.

You may also hear this medication called Pimobendan.

While this medication is safe for dogs, what happens if your cat eats Vetmedin? Will Vetmedin make your cat sick?

Vetmedin & Cats

This medication can be toxic for cats, depending on the dosage ingested. So, if you know your cat has eaten this medication, be sure to call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.

Symptoms of Vetmedin Ingestion in Cats

You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten Vetmedin:

• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Uncoordinated gate
• Increase in heart rate
• Increase in respiratory rate
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Yellow-colored gums, mucus membranes, and skin (this indicates jaundice)

Symptoms may not appear until about an hour to four hours after ingestion. So, be sure to call your vet right away if you know your cat has eaten Vetmedin.

Treatment of Vetmedin Ingestion in Cats

When you reach the vet’s, they will first conduct a complete physical exam of your cat. They will also order lab work and check your cat’s breathing rate and heart rate.

If your cat has recently eaten the medication, the vet may induce vomiting and/or use gastric lavage to wash the medication from your cat’s stomach. Activated charcoal may also be used to keep your fur baby’s body from absorbing the medication.

The vet will also treat other symptoms such as elevated blood pressure and more. Your feline companion may also require an IV for fluids and to make it easy to give her necessary medications.

Your vet will also want to monitor your cat’s heart and lung function, which may mean your fur baby has to stay in the hospital a day or so.

The prognosis for cats that have eaten Vetmedin is very good if they receive prompt medical treatment.