Effects of clomipramine hydrochloride on heart rate and rhythm in healthy dogs

Abstract

Short-term administration of clomipramine induced benign cardiovascular effects in dogs rather than the potentially dangerous arrhythmias or tachycardia reported following administration of tricyclic antidepressants to humans. Precautions regarding cardiovascular effects may not be needed for the use of clomipramine in healthy dogs.

Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine

“…Baseline ECGs are recommended for in any human patient who has had a history of any arrhythmia, heart disease, prior drug reactions, who is on more than one medication, and who may be undergoing anesthesia or sedation. Similar protocols are recommended for cats and dogs (Nattal and Mittleman, 1984; Pouchelon et al, 2000; Reich et al, 2000; Yokota et al, 1987). Because cardiac disease in cats can be occult, routine cardiac evaluation of targeted populations is reasonable.…”

“…Use of TCAs is contraindicated in animals with a history of urinary retention and severe, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias and a cardiac consult, including a rhythm strip, should be a part of standard, pre-dispensation work-up. The common side-effects of TCAs as manifest on ECG include: flattened T waves, prolonged Q-T intervals, and depressed S-T segments (Pouchelon et al, 2000; Reich et al, 2000). In high doses TCAs have been implicated in sick euthyroid syndrome.…”