Excessive urination after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in dogs

119 reports to the FDA describe excessive urination in dogs given Pimobendan. That is 2.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

119Reports

38%Marked serious

12%Recovered

7.6%Died or euthanised

31 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 15%

1–2 days

4 6.0%

3–7 days

6 9.0%

1–4 weeks

11 16%

Over a month

36 54%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 10%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.7%

Still unwell when reported

21 18%

Died

1 0.8%

Euthanised

8 6.7%

Not known

75 63%

Problems reported at the same time

Excessive thirst

88 74%

Loss of appetite

27 23%

Liver problems

19 16%

Urinary tract infection

13 11%

13 11%

13 11%

13 11%

13 11%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 excessive urination in dogs?: 119 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 31 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 excessive urination