Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Potassium and magnesium levels in small dogs on ACEI
By Thomason, Justin D et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2007·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Influence of combined angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and spironolactone on serum K+, Mg 2+, and Na+ concentrations in small dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of elderly small dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD) were given a combination of two heart medications: an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and spironolactone. Owners might worry about side effects like high potassium or low sodium levels, but the study found no significant changes in these levels after treatment. However, there was a mild increase in magnesium levels over time, which is not usually a concern. Overall, the combination of these medications appears to be safe for small dogs with MVD.
People also search for: dog heart medication side effects · small dog mitral valve disease treatment · ACEI spironolactone for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the administration of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) plus spironolactone caused hyperkalemia, hypermagnesemia, or hyponatremia in elderly small dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD). BACKGROUND: ACEIs and spironolactone can increase serum potassium and magnesium concentrations and lower serum sodium concentrations. It has been recommended to either not combine these drugs or to do so with caution. ANIMALS, MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty client-owned dogs with MVD, left atrial dilation, and without congestive heart failure or azotemia were evaluated retrospectively. Baseline data sets, followed by 1-9 (mean=2.66) data sets, comprised of serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine, sodium, potassium, and magnesium concentrations, were tabulated. Each dog received an ACEI plus spironolactone for a mean of 23.8+/-26.6 weeks (range: 2-150) and a median of 15 weeks. No cardiac drugs other than an ACEI and spironolactone were administered during the study period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between baseline and follow-up serum sodium or potassium concentrations. Serum magnesium concentrations increased significantly (p=0.02) with time >20 weeks compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of an ACEI and spironolactone results in no significant difference between baseline and follow-up serum sodium or potassium concentrations. Although serum magnesium concentrations may increase significantly with time >20 weeks compared to baseline concentrations, hypermagnesemia appears to be rare, mild, and unlikely to be of clinical importance. The combination of an ACEI and spironolactone is safe in elderly small dogs with MVD with normal SUN and creatinine concentrations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17983885/