Hypokalaemia after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in dogs

The FDA has received 28 reports of hypokalaemia in dogs after Pimobendan. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

28Reports

71%Marked serious

21%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

166 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

4 21%

3–7 days

2 11%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

13 68%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 21%

Still unwell when reported

7 25%

Died

2 7.1%

Euthanised

3 11%

Not known

10 36%

Problems reported at the same time

13 46%

13 46%

9 32%

9 32%

9 32%

9 32%

7 25%

6 21%

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 hypokalaemia in dogs?: 28 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 166 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 hypokalaemia