Pimobendan side effects

[Lunalessy]

Hey all,
My 13 yr old was diagnosed with HCM, but has not advanced to CHF yet. Cardiology specialist prescribed plavix and pimobendan. They said use of pimobendan is not tested for the cats particular kind of HCM, so I started the plavix right away and waited for a second opinion from my vet. We visited the vet on Saturday, and got booster shots. The vet said pimobendan could be helpful, so we started it on Sunday. 5 days later, cat is really lethargic, rising only to eat. I’ll call the vet, but has anyone seen this type of side effect from Pimobendan? He was really playful before we started this drug.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Definitely discuss with your Vet. I did a cursory search under Pimobendan and found quite a few threads, but will let you read them if you think appropriate. One that specifically asked about side effects did NOT mention lethargy.

Here is the link to the search: Search Results for Query: pimobendan

 

[Lunalessy]

Thank you so much for the info. Ended up taking him to the vet yesterday, and vet couldn’t come up with any good ideas, so we took him off Pimobendan for now; she thought maybe we changed too many things all at one time and it was too much of his body since he’s older. He was a touch dehydrated but didn’t want to give fluids since he’s a cardiac cat. She did give him an appetite boosting medicine which I am worried is again too much. We did a blood test, and will get results today. He seems to be eating even less today send good vibes to our kitty.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Ask the Vet whether the appetite stimulant might react with the other meds. I've had great luck with them with chronically ill cats in the past.

 

[Lunalessy]

Just closing the loop - blood results were pretty much normal, now thinking that this is a vaccine reaction to the 4 in one + rabies all in one day and not related to pimobendan.