Page 439 - Feline Cardiology

464 Section R: Drug Formulary

Generic Name Indications/Drug Dosage and Comments Available sizes
(Brand Name) Type Possible Routes
of Admin.

Warfarin Vitamin K 0.25–0.6 mg/ Powerful orally active anticoagulant indicated 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4,
(Coumadin [H]) antagonizing cat for prevention of recurrent thromboembolism. 5, 6, 7.5, 10 mg
anticoagulant PO q 24h Variable efficacy, including either inadequate T
or excessive anticoagulation; anticoagulant HM
effect is optimized via weekly plasma
prothrombin time measurement, targeting
1.5–2.5 times upper limit of normal. Subjectively
the most effective anticoagulant in feline
medicine but also the most prone to
adverse effects. Brief period of inhibition of
proteins C and S (natural anticoagulants) at
onset of treatment suggests transient
hypercoagulability and warrants overlap
between injectable (heparin) treatment during
acute phase of thromboembolism treatment
(2–4 days) and start of chronic oral warfarin
treatment. Treatment if signs of excessive
anticoagulation: stop warfarin; if needed,
vitamin K (2.5– 3 mg/kg IM or SQ), plus
plasma transfusion if bleeding. Anticoagulant
function helps prevent formation of new
thrombi but does not actively degrade existing
thrombi.

Xylocaine—see
Lidocaine
Zestril—see
Lisinopril

REFERENCES feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results of a prospective,
open-label, multicenter clinical trial. J Vet Cardiol 1999;1:19–26.
Reference citations are listed alphabetically by name of first author;
the headings in italic font identify the drug(s) discussed in each Aspirin, Furosemide, Digoxin
reference. Atkins CE, Snyder PS, Keene BW. Effect of aspirin, furosemide, and
commercial low-salt diet on digoxin pharmacokinetic properties
Heparin-LMWH in clinically normal cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1088;193:1264–1268.
Alwood AJ, Downend AB, Brooks MB, Slensky KA, Fox JA, Simpson
SA, Waddell LS, Otto CM. Anticoagulant effects of low-molecular- Digoxin
weight heparins in healthy cats (abstract). J Vet Emerg Crit Care Atkins CE, Snyder PS, Keene BW, Rush JE. Effects of compensated
2004;14:S1. heart failure on digoxin pharmacokinetics in cats. J Am Vet Med
Assoc 1989;195:945–950.
Drug Formulary Alwood AJ, Downend AB, Brooks MB, Slensky KA, Fox JA, Simpson Atkins CE, Snyder PS, Keene BW, Rush JE, Eicker S. Efficacy of digoxin
Heparin-LMWH
Digoxin
SA, Waddell LS, Baumgardner JE, Otto CM. Anticoagulant effects
for treatment of cats with dilated cardiomyopathy. J Am Vet Med
of low-molecular-weight heparins in healthy cats. J Vet Intern Med
Assoc 1990;196:1463–1469.
2007;21:378–387.
Benazepril Lactated Ringer’s solution
Bjorling DE, Rawlings CA. Relationship of intravenous administra-
Amberger CN, Glardon O, Glaus T, Hörauf A, King JN, Schmidli H, tion of Ringer’s lactate solution to pulmonary edema in halothane-
Schröter L, Lombard CW. Effects of benazepril in the treatment of anesthetized cats. Am J Vet Res 1983;44: 1000–1006.