British Border Collie Talisker Saved by Viagra
Thanks to BBC News for this article.
Viagra helps heart condition dog
An impotence tablet is helping to keep a pet dog with a heart condition from an early grave.
Talisker, a border collie, was living on borrowed time after vets found his heart had become dangerously enlarged.
The dog, three, from Yardley Hastings, Northamptonshire, passes out when he gets excited because his blood cannot pump quickly enough around his body.But, since taking Viagra, the blood flow to Talisker’s heart has improved, according to owner Lesley Strong, 58.
Vets advised Ms Strong to give Viagra to the dog after they found he was suffering from a potentially lethal heart condition.
Ms Strong, a former pub landlady, said: “We were very surprised when we were recommended Viagra.
“It causes great hilarity at the chemist’s when I pick up the prescription.
“He is happy and healthy apart from the heart. I’m pretty sure it has kept him alive, but, the thing is, it can’t cure him.
“He needs special care and we have to make sure he doesn’t over exert himself, as over-exertion causes it. It’s about him being active without being over-exercised.”
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This is such a wonderful story. I am a doctor of pharmacy, and Viagra was originally formulated to be a heart medication, and is used in many people who have pulmonary hypertension to this day. It was going to be put on the market for this indication, but not enough studies have been done to ensure it’s efficacy. However, while it was being tested, they found out that the receptor that this drug binds to is found in the lungs as well as the “male organ” and it was decided that it was going to be marketed for this indication instead. I have seen several patients who have pulmonary hypertension who have benefited greatly from this medication.