Diarrhea after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in dogs

903 reports to the FDA describe diarrhea in dogs given Pimobendan. That is 16% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

903Reports

29%Marked serious

30%Recovered

9.3%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

120 20%

1–2 days

134 23%

3–7 days

66 11%

1–4 weeks

104 17%

Over a month

171 29%

How the animals did

Recovered

265 29%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

108 12%

Died

43 4.8%

Euthanised

41 4.5%

Not known

441 49%

Problems reported at the same time

279 31%

215 24%

167 18%

86 9.5%

69 7.6%

62 6.9%

41 4.5%

41 4.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

288

12+ years

456

About this medicine

Pimobendan treats heart failure and some heart disease.

Products with this ingredient include Vetmedin. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Pimobendan cause diarrhea in dogs?: 903 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 6 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Pimobendan in dogs · Medicines most reported with diarrhea