Furosemide is a diuretic used to treat fluid retention (edema) in dogs and cats with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or certain kidney disease. Furosemide is also used to treat high blood pressure. Furosemide for dogs and cats requires a prescription from your veterinarian, and is sold by the tablet.
Treats excessive fluid accumulation and swelling caused by heart failure and other health problems
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Easy to administer
How it works: Furosemide is a potent diuretic which works by blocking the absorption of salt and fluid in the kidney tubules causing an increase in urine output.
Cautions: Keep plenty of water available for your pet to drink. Furosemide can make your pet’s skin more sensitive to sunlight. There are possible adverse interactions with other drugs, so fully disclose to your veterinarian what you are giving your pet. This medication should not be used in pregnant or nursing animals.
More Information:
Brand Name Lasix (Aventis), Salix (Paytheon)
Generic Name Furosemide (Vedco)
What is the most important information I should know about furosemide: Do not give this medication if your pet is not urinating. Tell your veterinarian if your pet has kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs. Furosemide can make the pet¿s skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may occur. Periodic blood tests as well as kidney or liver function tests may be necessary. Furosemide will make the pet urinate more often and the pet should have drinking water readily available to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
What is furosemide: Furosemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) used to treat fluid retention (edema) in dogs and cats with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or certain kidney disease. Furosemide is also used to treat high blood pressure. Furosemide is available by prescription in 12.5mg (round yellow), 20mg (round white), 40mg (round white), 50mg (round yellow), and 80mg (round white) tablets and 60 ml Furosemide Oral Solution containing 10mg/ml. The usual dose of furosemide in dogs and cats is 1-2mg/pound once or twice a day (at 6 to 8 hour intervals). Cats will usually get the lower dose. Higher doses can be given depending on the severity of symptoms. Discard the opened bottle of Oral Solution after 90 days. Furosemide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving furosemide to my pet: Do not give this medication if your pet is not urinating. Tell your veterinarian if your pet has kidney or liver disease, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant or lactating.
How should this medication be given: Give this medication exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Do not give larger amounts, or give it for longer than recommended by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may occasionally change the dose to make sure your pet gets the best results from this medication. Furosemide will make the pet urinate more often and the pet should have drinking water readily available to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Periodic blood tests as well as kidney or liver function tests may be necessary. Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Furosemide is sometimes used only once, so that there may not be a dosing schedule. If you are giving furosemide regularly, give the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical attention if you believe you have given your pet too much medication. Symptoms of furosemide overdose may include loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, confusion, fainting.
What should I avoid while giving furosemide: Avoid allowing the pet to become dehydrated. Keep plenty of water available for the pet to drink. Furosemide can make the pet¿s skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may occur.
What are the possible side effects of furosemide: If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop giving furosemide and seek emergency veterinary medical attention; an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat). Stop giving furosemide and call your veterinarian at once if any of these serious side effects occur; dry mouth, thirst, nausea, and vomiting; weakness, drowsiness, restlessness; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or weakness; urinating less than usual or not at all; bleeding, unusual weakness; hair loss; "bulls-eye" lesions; vesicles around mouth, ears, and groin; hearing loss; nausea, stomach pain; fever; loss of appetite; dark urine; jaundice. Continue giving furosemide and talk with your veterinarian if any of these less serious side effects should occur; diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain; headache; dizziness, or blurred vision. Side effects other than those listed in this guide may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or especially bothersome to your pet.
What other drugs will affect furosemide: If you give your pet sucralfate (Carafate), give it at least 2 hours before or after giving furosemide. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is being given digoxin (Lanoxin), steroids (such as prednisone), other blood pressure medications, Amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, salicylates such as aspirin (Vetrin), or indomethacin. Drugs other than those listed may also interact with furosemide. Tell your veterinarian about all the prescription and over the counter medications you are giving your pet. This includes vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about furosemide written for health professionals that you can read.
Call your veterinarian for medical advice about any side effects to your pet. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Directions:
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Furosemide is a loop diuretic available by prescription used to treat fluid retention (edema) in dogs and cats with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or certain kidney disease. Furosemide is also used to treat high blood pressure.
•
Do not give this medication if your pet is not urinating.
•
Furosemide can make your pets skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may occur.
•
Discard the open bottle of Oral Solution after 90 days.
Tip: Furosemide will make your pet urinate more often than usual so your pet should have drinking water readily available to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Do not give larger amounts of this medication, or give it for longer than recommended by veterinarian. Your veterinarian may occasionally change the dose of this medication to make sure the pet gets the best results from it. Periodic blood tests as well as kidney or liver function tests may be necessary.
Dosage:
Pet
Weight
Dosage
Dogs/Cats:
All weights
The usual dose is 1-2mg per pound of pets body weight given once or twice daily (at 6 to 8 hour intervals) or as directed by your veterinarian. Cats will usually get the lower dose (1mg per pound of pets body weight once a day).
Storage: Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
Little Dot was started on this medication 2 months ago and has been asymptomatic ever since. This medications has increased his quality of life two-fold.
My only regret about 1800PetMeds is that I didn't discover their company sooner. I could have saved HUNDREDS$$$. My little 12 year old (mixed/terrier) has been on Furosimide, Enalapril and Vetmedin for almost 4 years. The price difference of these meds that I've been paying at the vet versus the PedMed prices for the same meds are a SHOCKING difference!!! Not only are the prices a fraction of what I've been paying,... this company offers the BEST customer service and the FASTEST shipping I've ever seen! I LOVE 1800PetMeds... they are awesome!
Thank you for your great service. You overnighted our little dog's meds when I ran short. One question.....does she need to stay on Vetmedin forever? I know the Florisimide is very important, and she will remain on it forever.
12.5 dose is not doing anything. I wanted a stronger dose, but the vet would not allow it. My pet is suffering because of it. Please allow me to get a stronger dose of the diuretic. No change has been seen at this dosage.
Rhett (my 11-1/2 year old Maltese) was diagnosed with congestive heart failure Oct 2010 and put on meds twice a day (Vetmedin, Furosemide + Enalapril) in Jan 2011 (7 months ago). He was doing great until one month ago when he developed a scary cough. For one month the vet prescribed an antibiotic + a cough medicine. He is much better now - but the cough persists - just more subtle. Also the Furosemide dosage was increased to 25 mg in the morning (twice as much), continuing with 12.5 mg in the evening. I am grateful to still have my little Rhettie.
Unfortunately we do not offer a flavoring service. You could mix the dose of furosemide in a small amount of food or another flavored liquid that you are sure the cat will completely finish.
My little Yorkie is 12 years old and he is on LASIX and enalapril I would like to buy the pills from PETMEDS. I have a Prescription,but they give him liquid,but you don't sell liquid How could I split the 12.5 mg pill ? He is now on 1 cc liquid. They seem to mix that with syrup and we have a very hard time to give it to him, he hates it. It also says on the Bottle QUANTITY: 4 LASIX : 12.5 mg
Furosemide liquid is commercially available in 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml strengths. In either case it's impossible to give the same liquid dose using a 12.5 mg tablet. However, because of your comment we will be carrying Furosemide Oral Solution 10mg/ml.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.