Effect of short-term treatment with bumetanide, quinapril and low-sodium diet on dogs with moderate congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of bumetanide, quinapril and a low-sodium diet on clinical response tolerance and side-effects on dogs with moderate congestive heart failure. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study, using 32 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring disease. PROCEDURE: Thirty-two dogs diagnosed with congestive heart failure (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council stage II) due to mitral valve disease were included. During 4 weeks, patients received 0.5 mg/kg quinapril (Ectren, Menarini), 0.1 mg/kg bumetanide (Fordiuran, Boehringer Ingelheim) and a low sodium diet (CNM-CV, Purina) was fed. All dogs were examined weekly and results were treated statistically. RESULTS: The treatment was safe, effective and well-tolerated and no major side-effects were observed. There were no significant changes in measured haematological and biochemical variables, including serum electrolyte concentrations and urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the combined treatment with bumetanide, quinapril and low-sodium diet for controlling moderate CHF due to mitral insufficiency in dogs is simple, easy-to-administer and effective in controlling clinical signs and prompting improvement even after short-term treatment.