Cardisure tablets for dogs

PRESCRIPTION NEEDED (Pom-V)

Cardisure tablets for dogs – pimobendan support for dogs with heart failure

Cardisure tablets for dogs contain pimobendan, a well-established medicine used to help manage congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. CHF often develops as a result of degenerative valve disease (most commonly mitral valve disease) or dilated cardiomyopathy. When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid can build up in the lungs or abdomen, leading to coughing, breathing difficulties, reduced exercise tolerance and lethargy.

By supporting the heart’s pumping ability and improving blood flow, Cardisure tablets for dogs can help many dogs with heart failure to feel more comfortable, stay more active and enjoy a better quality of life when used as part of a complete treatment plan.

What Cardisure tablets for dogs are used for

Your vet may prescribe Cardisure tablets for dogs for:

Management of congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy in certain breeds
Management of congestive heart failure associated with valvular heart disease, such as myxomatous mitral valve disease
Sometimes, to start treatment in dogs with significant structural heart disease and early signs on tests, as part of a preventative heart failure plan (following current veterinary guidelines)

Cardisure is usually one component of a broader heart failure protocol that may also include diuretics (water tablets), other heart medicines, tailored exercise and dietary management.

How Cardisure works

Pimobendan (the active ingredient in Cardisure tablets for dogs) works in two main ways:

Positive inotrope
Pimobendan increases the strength of the heart’s contractions. This helps the heart pump blood more effectively without markedly increasing oxygen demand. Stronger, more efficient contractions can improve circulation and reduce signs of poor perfusion such as lethargy or cold extremities.
Vasodilator
Pimobendan also widens certain blood vessels (arteries and veins). By reducing the resistance the heart has to pump against (afterload) and the pressure it has to work with (preload), it can ease the workload on the heart and help reduce fluid build-up associated with CHF.

Together, these effects help the failing heart work more efficiently, which often translates into better breathing, improved exercise tolerance and an overall improvement in quality of life.

Available strengths and tablet form

Cardisure tablets for dogs are usually flavoured and chewable, which can make them easier to give. They come in four strengths:

Cardisure 1.25mg tablets for dogs
Cardisure 2.5mg tablets for dogs
Cardisure 5mg tablets for dogs
Cardisure 10mg tablets for dogs

Your vet will calculate the correct dose based on your dog’s bodyweight (and sometimes split doses through the day). They will then choose the appropriate strength or a combination of strengths to achieve that dose. Some tablets are scored so they can be divided; your vet will advise if splitting is appropriate for your dog.

How Cardisure tablets for dogs are given

Cardisure is given by mouth, usually twice daily, at the dose and schedule prescribed by your vet. In many cases, doses are given about 12 hours apart and approximately one hour before food, but you must always follow the precise instructions on your dog’s prescription and the package leaflet.

General guidance (always follow your vet’s instructions):

Give the exact number and strength of tablets prescribed for your dog’s weight
Try to give Cardisure at the same times each day
Tablets may be given directly by hand or hidden in a small treat if your dog is fussy, as your vet advises
Do not change the dose or stop treatment suddenly without speaking to your vet
If you miss a dose, contact your vet or follow the advice supplied with the prescription – do not double the next dose without veterinary guidance

Because heart disease is long term, Cardisure tablets for dogs are often used as part of lifelong therapy.

Monitoring and check-ups

Dogs on Cardisure should be monitored regularly. Your vet will usually:

Re-examine your dog at set intervals to assess heart sounds, breathing, weight and overall condition
Ask about your dog’s breathing at rest, exercise tolerance, coughing, appetite and general behaviour
Recommend follow-up tests such as chest X-rays, echocardiography (heart ultrasound) or blood pressure checks to monitor heart function and disease progression
Adjust the dose of Cardisure or other heart medications if your dog’s condition changes

It can be helpful to keep a simple log of your dog’s resting respiratory rate (breaths per minute while sleeping), appetite, exercise tolerance and coughing episodes at home. Share this information with your vet at check-ups to help fine-tune treatment.

Safety, contraindications and precautions

Cardisure tablets for dogs are a prescription-only medicine (POM-V) and are not suitable for every dog. Your vet will examine your dog, review their history and perform tests before prescribing pimobendan. Cardisure may be unsuitable in dogs that:

Have obstruction of blood flow out of the heart (for example, severe aortic stenosis)
Are in certain early stages of disease without structural heart changes, unless guidelines support its use
Have severe arrhythmias or other conditions where increasing contractility could be risky

Tell your vet if your dog has any other health problems, is on a special diet, or is taking other medicines or supplements. This helps your vet decide whether Cardisure tablets for dogs are appropriate and if any dose adjustments or extra monitoring are needed.

Possible side effects

As with any medicine, some dogs may experience side effects while taking Cardisure. These are often mild and may improve as the body adjusts, but you should still report them to your vet. Possible signs can include:

Mild digestive upset (vomiting, soft stools, reduced appetite)
Lethargy or restlessness
Changes in heart rhythm (which your vet may pick up on examination or ECG)

More serious reactions are less common, but you should contact your vet immediately if you notice:

Collapsing episodes or fainting
Sudden worsening of breathing
Marked lethargy, distress or any other worrying signs

Your vet may adjust the dose, alter other medications or review your dog’s heart status if side effects occur.

Use with other medicines

Cardisure tablets for dogs are often used in combination with:

Diuretics (such as furosemide or torasemide)
ACE inhibitors
Other cardiovascular or supportive medicines

Drug combinations must always be planned and monitored by your vet, as certain medicines can interact or change blood pressure and kidney function. Never start or stop any other prescription or over-the-counter medicine for your dog without checking with your vet first.

Handling advice for owners

Cardisure tablets for dogs are for animal use only. To keep everyone safe:

Store the tablets in their original blister and carton, away from heat and moisture
Keep out of sight and reach of children and other animals
Only handle the tablets when needed to dose your dog
Wash your hands after giving the medication

If a person accidentally swallows a tablet, they should seek medical advice and show the doctor the product packaging.

Frequently asked questions about Cardisure tablets for dogs

Is Cardisure a prescription-only medicine?
Yes. Cardisure is classified as POM-V. Your dog must be examined by a vet and you must have a valid prescription before it can be supplied.

Will my dog need Cardisure for life?
Many dogs with congestive heart failure require long-term or lifelong medication, including Cardisure and other heart drugs. Your vet will review your dog regularly and may adjust treatment as the condition changes.

How quickly will Cardisure start to help?
Some dogs show an improvement in breathing, activity and general comfort within days to weeks of starting Cardisure, especially when it is part of a full heart failure treatment plan. Your vet will advise when they expect to see changes and when to review progress.

Can I split Cardisure tablets?
Certain strengths may be scored so they can be divided, but you should only split tablets if your vet has specifically instructed you to and the product leaflet confirms this is acceptable.

What should I do if I miss a dose?
Do not double the next dose unless your vet tells you to. If you miss a dose, contact your vet or follow the missed-dose instructions provided on your prescription.

Always follow the directions on your dog’s prescription, the product label and the package leaflet. If you have any questions or concerns about Cardisure tablets for dogs, dosing or potential side effects, speak to your vet for personalised advice.

Download the datasheet here

Visit the manufacturer’s website here