Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sildenafil treatment results in dogs with lung-related high blood
By Johnson, Lynelle R & Stern, Joshua A·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2020·Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical features and outcome in 25 dogs with respiratory-associated pulmonary hypertension treated with sildenafil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 dogs, mostly small breeds around 12 years old, were diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and showed symptoms like fainting, coughing, and breathing difficulties. They were treated with sildenafil, a medication that helps improve blood flow, along with other necessary treatments for their underlying respiratory issues. After one month, many dogs showed significant improvement in their quality of life and heart function, although some did not survive past that point. Notably, a few dogs lived for over five years after starting treatment, indicating that sildenafil can be beneficial for certain dogs with this condition.
People also search for: dog coughing treatment · pulmonary hypertension in dogs · sildenafil for dog breathing problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can develop secondary to many common cardiopulmonary diseases, and the use of sildenafil has improved care of affected dogs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate response to sildenafil in dogs with respiratory-associated PH. ANIMALS: Twenty-five dogs with PH. METHODS: Prospective clinical trial. Doppler echocardiography identified dogs with moderate to severe PH, and additional tests were performed to detect underlying diseases. A 17-point quality of life (QOL) questionnaire was completed, and sildenafil was prescribed, along with other medications deemed necessary for the management of clinically diagnosed respiratory diseases. After 30 days, dogs returned to the hospital for repeat echocardiogram and QOL survey. RESULTS: The median age was 12.4 years, and most dogs were small breed dogs (median weight, 6.5 kg). Syncope (64%), cough (56%), and respiratory difficulty (32%) were the most common presenting complaints. Respiratory diseases associated with PH included tracheobronchomalacia, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory airway disease, and brachycephalic syndrome, with multiple diseases in some dogs. Eight of 25 dogs (32%) died or were euthanized within 1 month. In the remaining dogs, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (83.0 ± 17.4 mm Hg before, 55.4 ± 17.4 mm Hg after) and QOL scores were significantly improved after 1 month of sildenafil. Fifty percent mortality was reached 6 months after study entry, with 4 dogs alive 5 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Sildenafil responsiveness is variable in dogs with respiratory-associated PH, but improved QOL was demonstrated in dogs surviving >1 month, and long-term survival was noted in some cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31816127/