Effect of short-term treatment with perindopril, torsemide and restricted-sodium diet in dogs with atrioventricular valvular insufficiency

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of perindopril, torsemide and a low-sodium diet on clinical response in dogs with moderate congestive heart failure, forty-six dogs with moderate congestive heart failure (International Small Animal Cardiac Health stage II) due to mitral valve disease were taken. During 4 weeks all the patients received 0.2 mg/kg perindopril (Coversyl, Servier) SID, 0.2 mg/kg torsemide (Sutril, Novag) SID and a moderate-sodium diet (k/d, Hill's). 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. At the end of the study, all the patients improved with regard to clinical symptoms. The combined treatment with perindopril, torsemide and a restriction-sodium diet is simple, safe and effective therapeutic option for dogs with congestive heart failure secondary to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency.