Why must Pimobendan be given on an empty stomach?

Pimobendan is best absorbed when there isn't food in the stomach to interfere. Giving it roughly one hour before a meal ensures your dog gets the full benefit of the dose. If your dog is particularly difficult to medicate, speak with your vet about the best way to administer it without compromising the drug's effectiveness.

Can I give Pimobendan to my cat?

While Pimobendan is primarily registered for use in dogs, veterinary cardiologists sometimes prescribe it "off-label" for specific feline heart conditions. You should only ever give this medication to a cat if it has been specifically prescribed for them by a veterinarian.

Will my dog need to stay on this medication forever?

In most cases, yes. Conditions like Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) or Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) are chronic and progressive. Pimobendan helps manage the symptoms and supports heart function, so stopping the medication can lead to a rapid return of heart failure symptoms.

What is the difference between Vetmedin and Cardisure?

Both medications contain the same active ingredient, Pimobendan. They are simply different brands made by different manufacturers. Your vet may prescribe one over the other based on availability or the specific format (like a chewable tablet versus a capsule) that suits your dog best.

What should I monitor at home while my dog is on heart medication?

A great tip is to monitor your dog's Resting Respiratory Rate (RRR). While your dog is deeply asleep, count how many breaths they take in one minute. A consistent increase in this rate can be an early warning sign that their heart condition is changing, and you should contact your vet.

Last Updated: 24/12/2025

Pimobendan (Vetmedin/Cardisure) for Dogs: Medication Guide

Is your dog taking Vetmedin or Cardisure? Our vet guide explains how Pimobendan supports heart function in dogs with CHF or DCM. Discover essential tips on administration, potential side effects, and how to help your pet live a longer, happier life.

Author: Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read

Discovering your dog has a heart condition can be a heavy moment for any pet parent, but modern veterinary medicine offers some wonderful tools to help them stay happy and active. Pimobendan - commonly known by brand names like Vetmedin or Cardisure - is a cornerstone treatment for managing heart failure and certain heart diseases in dogs. By helping the heart pump more efficiently and opening up the blood vessels, this medication can significantly improve your best friend's quality of life and give you more precious time together.

How it works and what it's used for

Pimobendan produces both positive inotropic and vasodilatory effects. It increases the contractility of heart muscles through calcium sensitivity and phosphodiesterase inhibition. Phosphodiesterase inhibition also promotes arterial and venous dilation, thereby reducing the force against which the heart has to contract to eject blood into the arteries, and the amount the heart muscles need to stretch (to fill the ventricle of the heart) before it contracts. Thus Pimobendan increases the strength of the contraction of the heart and reduces its workload.

Pimobendan has been shown to increase both the quality of life and survival time of dogs with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) or heart failure due to valvular insufficiency such as MVD (mitral valve disease). It is indicated for use in dogs with CHF (chronic heart failure) from DCM and valvular insufficiencies (mitral valve and tricuspid valve). It is also indicated for use in preclinical DCM in large breed dogs like Doberman Pinschers.

Pimobendan is not registered for use in cats, but it has been used off label by veterinary cardiologists to treat certain cardiac conditions in cats. It's use in dogs for conditions other than those listed above and it's use in cats is off-label (meaning that it has not been registered in these cases), but it may be prescribed for other conditions as well. In these cases, please follow the directions of your treating Veterinarian closely.

How is it administered?

Pimobendan comes in a few different forms as follows: tablets (CorMedin), capsules (Vetmedin), chewable tablets (Vetmedin, Cardisure) or as an oral liquid (Vetmedin).

All forms need to be given to your dog by mouth twice a day on an empty stomach, approximately 1 hour before food. Ideally give the medication to your dog morning and evening, roughly 12 hours apart. The chewable tablets are usually readily consumed by dogs when offered as a treat. If not voluntarily eaten, the chewable tablets can be given as a tablet directly into the dog's mouth.

The tablets and chewable tablets are scored, allowing them to be halved. They come in bottles (Vetmedin, CorMedin) or Blister Packs (Cardisure). The capsules (Vetmedin) come in a bottle as does the Vetmedin oral liquid.

How quickly does it work?

This depends on they severity of heart disease and every dog is different. Usually you will see improvements within a week of your dog starting pimobendan.

If your dog has an asymptomatic heart disease or is in the early stages of heart disease, you are less likely to notice any changes.

If you are concerned that there are no noticeable changes please contact your veterinarian.

Potential side effects

Pimobendan is well tolerated in most dogs but side effects can occur. The most common side effects are:

vomiting
diarrhoea
lethargy
loss of appetite

Other potential side effects include:

increase in mitral valve regurgitation
increase in heart rate
dyspnea (shortness of breath)
weakness
ataxia (wobbliness)
azotemia (abnormally high levels of nitrogen waste products in the bloodstream)

If you are concerned about your dog for any reason, please refer to the adverse reactions section on the package leaflet or contact your veterinarian for advice.

Precautions and contraindications

Precautions:

The safe use of pimobendan has not been evaluated in pregnant and lactating bitches, dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs with congenital heart defects and dogs with diabetes mellitus or other serious metabolic diseases.
The safety of Pimobendan has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by etiologies other that mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy.

Contraindications:

Pimobendan should not be taken by dogs who are allergic to it.
Pimobendan should not be given in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other conditions where augmentation of cardiac output is not recommended.

Drug interactions

The following medications may interact with Pimobendan :

Calcium antagonists (such as verapamil and diltiazem)
Beta-agonists (such as propranolol and atenolol)
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors (such as theophylline)

It is extremely important to let your veterinarian know of any medications (including vitamins, supplements or herbal therapies) your dog is taking.

Storage and handling

Wash your hands immediately after handling Pimobendan.
Store in the original packaging in a cool dry area protected from moisture and light.
Store out of reach of animals and children.
If from a bottle, half-tablets should be stored in the bottle with cap sealed and used within 60 days. If from a blister pack, half tablets should be stored in the opened blister and the blister returned to the carton, and these half-tablets should be used within 3 days.
To avoid accidental ingestion by children, administer the medication to your dog immediately after removal from the package, and observe your dog closely to ensure that the entire dose has been consumed.

Dosage

The recommended dose of Pimobendan is a total daily dose of 0.2mg - 0.6 mg/kg body weight, divided into two daily doses administered 12 hours apart. It is crucial that you follow your Veterinarian's specific instructions regarding dosage for your individual pet.

Missed dose

If you miss giving your dog a dose of Pimobendan, give it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the dosing schedule as normal - do not give two doses at once.

Stopping the medication

Do not stop giving your dog Pimobendan without first discussing it with your veterinarian. Any cessation or change to your dog's medication should only be done under the close supervision and recommendation of your treating Veterinarian.

Overdose

If you know or suspect your dog has had an overdose of Pimobendan, we recommend that you contact your treating veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Importance of Veterinary Monitoring

It is important for your dog to have regular check ups with their vet while taking Pimobendan. This allows the veterinarian to monitor your dog's heart condition, and make changes to the medication as needed. Your veterinarian will let you know how frequently they would like to see your pet and his may change depending on how stable your dog's heart condition is.

Related medications

Pimobendan is available in several brands for dogs in Australia:

Vetmedin
Cardisure
Cormedin

Related medicines:

Frusemide
Spironolactone
Benazepril

FAQs

References

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