New Publication Highlights The Benefits And Efficacy Of Spironolactone For Dogs With Heart Failure

A new publication¹ has highlighted the benefits and efficacy of using spironolactone alongside conventional therapy, such as an ACE inhibitor (ACEi) and furosemide, for the management of heart failure in dogs. In humans with heart failure, the use of spironolactone alongside an ACEi has resulted in improved survival rates, but also an increase in hyperkalaemia. However, the new publication has revealed that there is no increase in the risk of adverse effects, such as hyperkalaemia, in dogs and there is a significant reduction in the number of deaths due to cardiac disease, renal disease or both cardiac and renal disease. The double-blind placebo controlled study utilised 196 dogs with heart failure caused by mitral valve disease. All the dogs were treated for a median duration of 217 days. “This publication further highlights the benefits and safety of using spironolactone alongside an ACEi as part of first-line therapy for canine heart failure,” comments Fraser Broadfoot, MRCVS, small animal product manager at Ceva Animal Health. “This is now made even easier with the introduction of Cardalis, which contains the leading ACEi, benazepril, and spironolactone at their standard dose in one palatable tablet.” Cardalis contains a unique combination of benazepril and spironolactone in one tablet which provides ‘dual blockade’ of the RAAS system. Benazepril reduces the production of angiotensin II, which causes narrowing of the blood vessels, while spironolactone blocks the harmful effects of aldosterone, which include cardiovascular remodelling and fibrosis. Cardalis tablets are small, beef flavoured and designed to be administered once a day with food. Each pot contains 30 tablets and there are three sizes available. It should be given as part of standard heart failure therapy as soon as clinical signs, such as exercise intolerance, coughing or dyspnoea, appear. For further information on the new publication, please email Ceva Animal Health on [email protected]. H.P. Lefebvre, E. Ollivier, C.E. Atkins, B. Combes, D. Concordet, V. Kaltsatos, and L. Baduel. Safety of spironolactone in dogs with chronic heart failure because of degenerative valvular disease: a population-based longitudinal study. J. Vet. Intern Med 2013

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