Treatment

Goals of therapy:

1. Treat pulmonary edema/pleural effusion:
   • Thoracocentesis
   • Furosemide
   • Venodilator therapy (nitroglycerine cream)
   • If cat is being treated with corticosteroids, attempt to discontinue corticosteroid use as they promote fluid retention.
2. Augment systolic dysfunction
   • ACE inhibitors
     • efficacy undetermined in cats
   • Pimobendan
     • safety and efficacy undetermined in cats
   • Arterial vasodilators (non-ACE inhibitors)
     • safety and efficacy undetermined in cats
3. Prevent thromboembolic disease
   • See section addressing thromboembolism below
4. Treat the underlying etiology
   • Taurine supplementation 250 to 500 mg PO (BID) if taurine deficiency is suspected
5. Other measures
   • Low sodium diet (watch for refusal to eat)
   • Restrict activity