title: The influence of enalapril and spironolactone on electrolyte concentrations in Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: The combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) with an aldosterone receptor antagonist can increase serum potassium and magnesium and lower serum sodium concentrations. The objective of this study was to retrospectively determine whether an ACEI and spironolactone can be co-administered to Doberman pinschers with occult dilated cardiomyopathy without serious adverse influences on serum electrolyte concentrations. Between 2001 and 2007, 26 client-owned Doberman pinschers were given enalapril, spironolactone, and carvedilol and followed for at least 6 months. Most dogs had been prescribed mexiletine for ventricular tachyarrhythmia suppression. Dogs were treated with pimobendan when congestive heart failure was imminent. Baseline and follow-up (3-10 visits) color-flow Doppler echocardiograms, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine, sodium, potassium, and magnesium concentration data were tabulated. Compared to baseline data, there were no significant changes in serum sodium or serum creatinine concentrations. Serum magnesium (P = 0.003), serum potassium (P = 0.0001), and SUN (P = 0.0001) concentrations increased significantly with time. Although the combination of ACEI and spironolactone was associated with significant increases in magnesium, potassium, and SUN concentrations, these changes were of no apparent clinical relevance. At the dosages used in this study, this combination of drugs appears safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Health Center, Kansas State University, 1800 Dension Ave., Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. Electronic address: jthomason11@vet.k-state.edu.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Dr., Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rapoport
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Dr., Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fallaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 DW Brooks Dr., Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Calvert
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood*; D004656:Enalapril / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013045:Species Specificity; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004573:Electrolytes; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone; D004656:Enalapril
keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Dog; Enalapril; Magnesium; Potassium; Spironolactone