Cardiac Drugs Flashcards
What can congestive heart failure cause in dogs?
A buildup of fluid in the lungs themselves called pulmonary edema. A buildup of fluid around the lungs in the chest cavity called pleural effusion. A buildup of fluid in the abdomen called ascites.
What can congestive heart failure cause in cats?
A buildup of fluid in the lungs themselves called pulmonary edema. A buildup of fluid around the lungs in the chest cavity called pleural effusion.
True or false. All stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease benefit from treatment to prevent congestive heart failure.
False.
Who is required to stage myxomatous mitral valve disease?
A veterinary cardiologist or other individual who can stage mitral valve disease.
What drug is most commonly used to remove fluid from the lungs of both dogs and cats in congestive heart failure and what kind of a drug is it?
Furosemide (Lasix). It is a diuretic.
What should you warn owners of dogs on diuretics about when they first start the medication?
Warn owners that their pet will urinate within 1-2 hours of receiving the drug so they should anticipate that the dog should go out in that time frame. Warn owners that there will be urine accidents in the house with this drug.
How do the blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors help with congestive heart failure?
They decrease the amount of work the heart has to do to pump the blood around the body by dilating the arteries and veins in the body.
What does a positive inotrope do to the heart?
The makes the heart beat stronger and therefore more effective at moving blood around the body.
What should you warn cat owners about when their pet is first started on a diuretic?
That the litter pan/pans will need to be scooped more frequently.
What does a beta-blocker do?
It slows the heart rate.
True or False. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a stable disease?
False. CHF progresses requiring increasing doses of medication.
