Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Furosemide infusion vs bolus for heart failure in dogs and cats
By Ohad, D G et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2018·Department of Cardiology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Constant rate infusion vs. intermittent bolus administration of IV furosemide in 100 pets with acute left-sided congestive heart failure: A retrospective study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 76 dogs and 24 cats with acute left-sided congestive heart failure (L-CHF) were treated with either constant rate infusion (CRI) or intermittent bolus (IVB) of furosemide, a medication that helps remove excess fluid. The dogs receiving CRI needed a lower dose of furosemide compared to those on IVB, and both groups showed improved breathing rates after treatment. However, the IVB group had a shorter hospital stay and a lower risk of dehydration. Overall, 15% of the pets did not survive, indicating that while both treatments can help, there may be differences in safety and effectiveness that need further study.
People also search for: dog congestive heart failure treatment · cat heart failure medication · furosemide for dogs breathing problems
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of constant rate infusion (CRI) to intermittent intravenous bolus (IVB) administration of furosemide resulted in an improvement in medical outcomes in dogs and cats with acute left-sided congestive heart failure (L-CHF). A total of 76 client-owned dogs and 24 client-owned cats admitted with acute L-CHF were retrospectively divided between an IVB group (43 dogs and 16 cats) and a CRI group (33 dogs and 8 cats). The median furosemide dose used in dogs in the CRI group (median 0.99mg/kg/h; range 0.025-3.73mg/kg/h) was lower than the dose used in dogs in the IVB group (median 1.19mg/kg/h; range 0.027-7.14mg/kg/h; P=0.008). Respiratory rates were lower in the IVB group (P=0.005) and the CRI group (P=0.039) compared to pre-treatment values. The overall short-term mortality was 15%. A trend of longer hospitalisation in the IVB group relative to the CRI group (P=0.07) was shown. Creatinine and total plasma protein concentrations increased more in the CRI group than in the IVB group, suggestive of a higher risk of dehydration and azotaemia. There may be safety profile differences between CRI and IVB, warranting a prospective study using a larger sample size.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30103918/