Pimobendan (Vetmedin)
Vetmedin · Vetmedin-CA1 · generic pimobendan (veterinary)
Pimobendan is the cornerstone drug for dogs with heart disease from a leaking mitral valve or dilated cardiomyopathy, started when the heart enlarges and continued through heart failure. It is a veterinary-only product with no human equivalent, and generic versions have started to appear.
What it is used for
Pimobendan strengthens the heart’s contraction without raising its oxygen demand and widens blood vessels, so a failing heart pumps more with less effort. A large trial showed that starting it in dogs whose hearts had enlarged but who had no symptoms yet delayed the onset of heart failure by many months, which changed practice: it is now started at that stage and continued for life, with a diuretic and an ACE inhibitor added when failure arrives.
It is given twice a day, an hour before food, as a chewable tablet or capsule dosed by weight. Side effects are uncommon; reduced appetite, diarrhoea and, rarely, a worsening of rhythm problems are reported. Cats with heart muscle disease and failure are sometimes treated with it off-label.
Safety points that differ from human use
- Not a substitute for a diuretic in a dog with fluid in the lungs; a dog breathing fast at rest needs the vet, not an extra pimobendan dose.
- Give on an empty stomach, about an hour before a meal, because food reduces absorption.
- Chewable tablets are flavoured and a dog will eat a bottle if it can; store it like any medicine.
- Chewable tablets
- Capsules (some veterinary generics)
- Oral solution (some markets)
- 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg chewable tablets
Vetmedin-CA1 is a conditionally approved version for the pre-failure stage; the active drug is the same.
Why the cash price varies
Pimobendan is bought from veterinary distributors, and the single-manufacturer brand was the only option for years. Generic pimobendan has begun to reach the market, and where a pharmacy can dispense it the quote drops considerably. Clinics, online veterinary pharmacies and the human pharmacies that stock veterinary products each set their own margin; for a dog on it for life, bottle size and whether the prescription allows substitution are what move the price.
How to pay less
- Ask the vet to write the prescription generically and to allow substitution.
- Ask for a bottle size that covers a ninety-day supply.
- Compare the clinic’s price with a pharmacy that stocks veterinary products.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock; pharmacies that carry or can order veterinary products can quote. You pay the pharmacy directly.
Questions for your vet
- What stage is my dog’s heart disease, and why start now?
- Is a generic pimobendan available, and can the prescription allow it?
- How far before a meal should I give it?
- What resting breathing rate means I should call?
- What other medicines will be added, and when?
Rules on refills, transfers and controlled substances differ by state; see pharmacy rules by state.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for your pet’s pimobendan (vetmedin) prescription
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your your pet’s pimobendan (vetmedin) prescription prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Related pet medications
Sources
- FDA Approved Animal Drug Products (Green Book)
- FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
- Merck Veterinary Manual
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian or veterinary pharmacist. Last checked 2026-10-03. Nothing here replaces your vet\u2019s directions; doses for animals are set by weight and species.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.