{"id":629484,"date":"2024-08-18T12:21:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-18T16:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629484"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:47:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:47:26","slug":"furosemide-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/furosemide-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Furosemide for cats: Dosage and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Furosemide is a generic diuretic widely used in veterinary medicine. While it’s used for various conditions in other animals, veterinarians give furosemide to cats as part of a multidrug treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Furosemide increases urine production in cats, eliminating excess water that builds up in the lungs, belly, and other tissues due to heart failure. Unlike other animals, cats are particularly sensitive to the effects of furosemide, so dosages are small and need to be carefully calibrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Save up to 80% on furosemide<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What is furosemide used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians primarily use furosemide to reduce fluid retention in cats with <\/span>congestive heart failure<\/span><\/a>. Veterinarians may also use it to treat fluid build-up in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or other problems with fluid accumulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Congestive heart failure<\/span><\/h3>\n

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of the body. The most significant consequence of heart failure is congestion. Fluid backs up in the body, usually the lungs and the abdomen. Fluid in the lungs, called pulmonary edema, interferes with the cat’s breathing ability. Fluid build-up in the belly (ascites) is associated with liver problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furosemide is the <\/span>diuretic<\/span><\/a> of choice for congestive heart failure in cats. Other drugs, including ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, will also be used to widen blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. The cat may also need to take pimobendan to strengthen heartbeats and lower blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furosemide increases the amount of water and salts excreted through the urine to help drain excess fluid. Called a <\/span>loop diuretic<\/span><\/a>, it increases electrolytes in the urine to draw more water into it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Furosemide works very quickly. About 30 minutes after a dose is swallowed, the cat should start urinating more. The effects peak in about one to two hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edema<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians use furosemide for serious fluid retention problems such as pulmonary edema or ascites. Edema and ascites can be symptoms of heart failure or due to other disease processes. Dosages vary, but they will probably be similar to those used for heart failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is furosemide safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved furosemide for use in cats with serious medical conditions such as heart failure. <\/span><\/p>\n

Furosemide is never given to cats that are not urinating (anuria) or allergic to the drug. <\/span><\/p>\n

If the cat has electrolyte abnormalities or severe liver disease (hepatic coma), the veterinarian will have to correct these problems before furosemide can be given. <\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians will use furosemide cautiously in cats with:<\/span><\/p>\n