The Effects of Different Treatments on Serum Trace Element Levels in Dogs with Heart Failure

The prognostic and diagnostic role of some trace elements in heart diseases has been demonstrated. In this study, the effects of min. 30-day and min. 120-day treatment with pimobendan, enalapril, and furosemide, as monotherapy and in combination, on serum trace element levels in dogs with heart failure were evaluated. A total of 107 dogs were treated with pimobendan or enalapril as monotherapy and pimobendan + enalapril (PE), enalapril + furosemide (EF), or pimobendan + enalapril + furosemide (PEF) as combination therapy for a min. of 30 and 120 days. Serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and chromium (Cr) were measured by an inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy device. Mean serum Mg in dogs treated with pimobendan for a min. of 120 days was significantly lower than that for a min. of 30 days (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In dogs using the PEF combination, mean serum Fe was significantly higher in the min. 120-day treatment group than in the min. 30-day treatment group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in mean serum Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Se, or Cr between the treatment groups and the time periods (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The short- and long-term use of pimobendan, enalapril, furosemide, and their combinations may cause changes in mean serum Mg and Fe in dogs with heart failure.