Atenolol is used to treat heart disease in cats and dogs. Available in tablet form in dosages of 25, 50 and 100 mg. Sold in ordinary pharmacies. The drug is prescribed by a veterinarian, self-administration is not allowed.
Characteristics of the drug Atenolol
The drug belongs to the group of selective, selective beta-blockers. Used for heart rhythm disorders in domestic animals. Also, Atenolol is prescribed to lower blood pressure when diagnosing hypertension.
Active ingredient – atenolol, auxiliary components:
potato starch;
calcium stearate;
magnesium carbonate;
cellulose.
The drug is available in the form of flat white tablets with beveled edges.
The mechanism of action on the body
Increasing the amount of adrenal hormone in the body – adrenaline leads to an acceleration of heart contractions, increased metabolism, stimulation of protective reactions of the body. Adrenaline rush occurs in stressful situations, from pain, fear. In the presence of cardiac diseases, the hormone causes active development of heart failure.
Atenolol blocks receptors that produce adrenaline. This leads to a decrease in contractions of the heart muscle, normalizes blood pressure. The animal’s symptoms of heart failure are reduced, the normal rhythm of the heart is established, the probability of death from arrhythmia is minimized.
After admission, the need for oxygen saturation is reduced.
Indications and contraindications for use
With age, pets develop kidney diseases, heart disease. The drug is often prescribed to older animals.
Important! Atenolol is used as an ambulance for heart attack, to eliminate the threat of sudden death.
Indications
Atenolol is prescribed to an animal in the presence of:
hypertension;
for the treatment and prevention of strokes (chronic stable and unstable angina in cases of combination with tachycardia and hypertension);
heart rhythm disorders;
heart attack.
Important! The components of the drug penetrate into breast milk and the placenta. It is not prescribed or is extremely rarely prescribed (with caution) during pregnancy of the animal or when breastfed babies.
If you need to take medication, breast feeding is stopped.
Contraindications to the appointment of the drug
Caution Atenolol is prescribed if your pet has:
diabetes;
kidney disease;
chronic / acute heart failure;
hypersensitivity to the drug;
bronchial asthma;
severe peripheral circulatory disorders.
In the presence of these diseases, the veterinarian decides on the purpose of the drug, the dosage and duration of treatment. If necessary, atenolol is replaced with other drugs.
Possible effects
At observance of a dosage and prescriptions of the veterinarian, the drug is well tolerated by cats and dogs. In rare cases, the animal may appear:
weakness;
slowing heart rate;
blood pressure drops;
the appearance of dryness on the mucous membrane of the eyes;
reduced visual acuity;
difficulty urinating;
the appearance of shortness of breath (in the presence of diseases of the bronchi);
violation of the digestive tract – diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
The drug may cause an allergic reaction of the animal.
Overdose
In case of overdose, the animal’s blood pressure drops significantly, heart failure appears. In difficult situations, cardiogenic shock occurs.
To relieve symptoms, the pet is washed stomach. If possible, give activated carbon.
Excretion from the body
Removal of the medication is not fully carried out by the kidneys (in the amount of 50% – 60%). In the presence of the pathology of this body, medication should be taken carefully. Animals with kidney problems are prescribed a reduced dosage. In the first days of therapy, the host monitors the animal’s response to treatment. If significant deviations in behavior and state of health are found, contact your veterinarian. An independent abrupt cessation of therapy is not carried out.
If the doctor deems necessary, reduce the dosage or advise a phased withdrawal of the medication. In this case, the therapy is carried out with analogues that are safe for the health of the cat or dog.
Interaction with other drugs
Independent appointment of Atenolol is not allowed, since the drug reacts with other medicines:
drugs for anesthesia;
Lidocaine;
Furosemide;
Insulin;
Prazosin;
Phenothiazine.
Before prescribing the medicine, the doctor asks the owner if the animal is taking the medicine, if so, which ones.
Important! Atenolol in combination with Prazosin significantly reduces blood pressure, as the drugs enhance the actions of each other.
Dosage
The number of tablets at one time and the frequency prescribed by a veterinarian. The usual dose for dogs is 0.5-1 mg per 1 kg of live weight, 2 times a day. Cats are prescribed 6, 25 mg per 1 kg of live weight once a day. Reception is carried out orally daily. The duration of treatment is determined by the veterinarian.
If you had to miss one appointment, give the pill as soon as possible. In the case when it is time to take the next batch, the animal is not given a double dose, but one pill. The next reception is carried out on schedule.
Storage
Atenolol is stored in its original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight. The shelf life of the drug is 24 months.
To maintain the health of the pet, it is protected from stressful situations, avoids obesity, and renal diseases are diagnosed and treated in time. Animals are periodically examined by a doctor to detect the pathology and begin to treat it. This is especially swinging old pets.