{"id":631300,"date":"2025-02-06T19:53:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T00:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631300"},"modified":"2025-02-06T19:53:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T00:53:44","slug":"propranolol-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/propranolol-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Can dogs take propranolol?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Propranolol<\/span><\/a> is a human prescription drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythms in dogs and cats. It works by slowing down the heart rate and weakening the heart\u2019s contractions, so its use is limited to certain types of heart rhythm problems. A veterinarian may use propranolol to treat some types of <\/span>heart failure<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>, but they prefer to use other medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is propranolol used for in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians use propranolol in fairly specific circumstances, including heart rhythm irregularities and some cases of high blood pressure. Propranolol can help dogs with some types of heart failure live longer, but it\u2019s not a standard component of the heart failure treatment protocol.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cardiac arrhythmias<\/span><\/h3>\n

When a dog\u2019s heartbeats aren\u2019t normal, veterinarians call this a \u201ccardiac arrhythmia.\u201d Since heartbeats are a complex interplay of electrical impulses and muscular contractions, the heart\u2019s rhythm can go wrong in many ways. Some types of abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening emergencies, some are risky, and some are relatively harmless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because there are so many types of heart arrhythmias, veterinarians have a wide selection of drugs to choose from. Each type of heart rhythm drug or \u201cantiarrhythmic\u201d works best for some heart rhythm problems but not others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker or <\/span>beta blocker<\/span><\/a>. These drugs block the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones that excite nerve cells and make the heart beat stronger and faster. As a result, beta blockers slow down the heart and decrease the strength of the heart\u2019s muscles. They also lower blood pressure but it\u2019s not completely clear how that works.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beta blockers slow down specific nerve signals in the heart, making them a drug of choice if some part of the heart is contracting before it should. This type of arrhythmia is called \u201cincreased automaticity.\u201d It happens when the heart\u2019s nerves power up too fast. That is, they generate their electrical potential too early. Enhanced automaticity usually feels like the heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, palpitating, pounding, or jumping.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several types of enhanced automaticity heart rhythm problems including\u2014sometimes\u2014<\/span>atrial fibrillation<\/span><\/a>. The veterinarian may diagnose the dog with some kind of \u201cpremature complex,\u201d such as \u201csupraventricular premature complex.\u201d Or the veterinarian may use the term \u201ctachyarrhythmia,\u201d for \u201cfast rhythm.\u201d All these words mean is some part of the heart is firing or contracting too early. Any one of these types of abnormal heart rhythms is a suitable candidate for propranolol therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians usually send caregivers home with propranolol tablets, capsules, or a specially prepared liquid version. Doses are given every eight hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

In people, beta blockers are a standard part of heart failure treatment. Veterinarians do not use propranolol in <\/span>the normal course of treating canine heart failure<\/span><\/a>. In fact, using beta blockers for canine heart failure in small animals <\/span>is controversial<\/span><\/a>. Because propranolol weakens and slows the heart, veterinarians are warned to use it cautiously in any dog with congestive heart failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypertension<\/span><\/h3>\n

High blood pressure is a common problem in dogs. Veterinarians use a variety of drugs to bring down blood pressure in dogs, but propranolol is not <\/span>included in treatment protocols<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, veterinarians may consider using propranolol in dogs that have a <\/span>very rare<\/span><\/a> form of cancer called pheochromocytoma, a cancer of the adrenal gland. Among the symptoms are high blood pressure and racing heartbeats. The standard treatment is surgery, but the beta blockers <\/span>atenolol<\/span><\/a> or propranolol may be used to slow down the heart and lower blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is propranolol safe for dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Given as directed and with appropriate monitoring, propranolol is considered safe for dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Propranolol is never safe to give dogs with:<\/span><\/p>\n