What types of medications are used to treat cardiac diseases in veterinary medicine?
Vasodialtors Vasodialtors are medications that lower the blood pressure in arteries and veins. This can improve cardiac output and decrease the formation of edema or effusions. The most common vasodilator used in our practice is Enalapirl. Enalapril is in a class of drugs called ACE-inhibitors, which affect both arteries and veins. In some cases, more potent arterial vasodilators are used. Similar medications are used to treat systemic hypertension (high blood pressure). Digoxin Digoxin is in the digital glycosides class of medications. These medications have been used in some form for hundreds of years in human medicine. Despite this long history, the exact pharmacology still may not be completely understood. Through multiple mechanisms, Digoxin has several beneficial effects on the diseased heart. These include improvement in heart muscle strength, reduction in heart rate, suppression of certain arrhythmias and a reduction in alterations of blood pressure. Diuretics Diuretics are fun
