Hepatopathy in 4 dogs treated with amiodarone

J Vet Intern Med. 2000 Jan-Feb;14(1):96-9. doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2000)014<0096:hidtwa>2.3.co;2.

Abstract

Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic drug used in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Hepatopathy is one of the more commonly reported adverse effects of amiodarone use in people. We describe 4 dogs that developed hepatopathy associated with amiodarone administration; 2 dogs also developed neutropenia. Three dogs had clinical signs of anorexia and lethargy; 1 did not show signs until impaired liver function had developed. Clinical signs or biochemical abnormalities developed 1.5-8 months after amiodarone treatment was started. Clinical signs resolved within 2 weeks of discontinuing amiodarone, but biochemical abnormalities did not resolve for 6-8 weeks. The delay between onset of liver disease and overt clinical signs suggests that serial evaluation of liver enzyme activities following amiodarone use in does is important.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anorexia / chemically induced
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / drug therapy
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / veterinary
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Liver Diseases / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Sleep Stages
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / drug therapy
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / veterinary

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone