Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Alterations in Dogs Treated with Minoxidil

Minoxidil treatment in dogs can cause cardiovascular damage, including arterial injury, hemorrhagic lesions, and necrosis. The study highlights the potential risks associated with minoxidil use. Minoxidil use in dogs leads to cardiovascular damage that worsens with continued use, and ß-blockers are not effective in preventing this damage. The use of minoxidil in dogs leads to three cardiovascular alterations that are caused by the active metabolite of minoxidil, not histaminic agents or sympathectomy. Minoxidil use in dogs can lead to irreversible cardiovascular damage, causing hemorrhagic lesions on the right side of the heart. The study cautions against the use of high doses of minoxidil in dogs due to the risk of cardiovascular lesions.