Is atenolol safe for cats?
Atenolol should not be used in cats with left-sided heart failure due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It should be used with caution in pets with significant kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, certain heart conditions, or a history of gastrointestinal ulcers.
How much atenolol can a cat take?
In cats, atenolol is dosed initially at ¼ of a 25-mg tablet PO once daily for three days, then ¼ tablet q12h. The usual dosage range in cats is ½ tablet in the AM and ¼ to ½ tablet in the PM. Small cats may be well maintained on ¼ tablet q12h. Effective dosing in cats can be estimated by the examination heart rate.
How does atenolol work in cats?
Atenolol is a beta blocker. Its main purpose is to block receptors on the heart that respond to stress or excitement. This drug helps control heart rate, decreases rhythm problems, and is commonly used to treat cats with a thickened heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).
Can heart disease in cats be treated?
Unless there is a congenital defect that can be corrected with surgery, feline heart disease is typically treated with medication. Diuretics may be used to reduce fluid buildup around the lungs or in the abdomen.
What do beta blockers do for cats?
Cats: Atenolol is used in cats to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and hypertension secondary to hyperthyroidism. When beta blockers are used to treat HCM, they are not started until after the cat has been stabilized with diuretics.
Does atenolol help cats with HCM?
Are beta blockers safe for cats?
Beta-blockers are a common type of heart medication used in both human and veterinary medicine for heart disease and for blood pressure regulation. While beta-blockers are commonly used in cats and dogs, accidental overdose can result in severe, life-threatening poisoning due to the drug’s narrow margin of safety.
Should you euthanize a cat with heart disease?
If the pet has a condition like congestive heart failure, or untreatable brain cancer — a disease that will, unchecked, lead to a painful death — the recommendation may be for euthanasia sooner instead of later.
How long can my cat live with heart disease?
Most cats with congestive heart failure will live 6 to 12 months. If a heart condition such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is detected early on, treatment and management can mean a close-to-normal lifetime for your cat.