UpCard-CA1 for Dogs (Torsemide)

PetMD’s medications content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about how medications function, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet.  

What Is UpCard-CA1 Used for in Dogs?

UpCard-CA1 is a veterinary medication that helps treat fluid buildup in the lungs in dogs diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

UpCard-CA1 is intended to be used in combination with other medications prescribed for dogs with heart disease, including pimobendan (Vetmedin), spironolactone, and an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as enalapril or benazepril. 

UpCard-CA1 is available as an oral solution, which allows for safer and more precise adjustments in your dog’s dosing, as compared to a tablet or capsule formulation. 

UpCard-CA1 is given long-term at the lowest dose necessary to effectively treat your dog’s pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Thus, a veterinarian will make periodic changes to the dosage to help control their symptoms and ensure they’re as comfortable as possible. 

Speak with your veterinarian about whether UpCard-CA1 is right for your dog. 

Is UpCard-CA1 FDA-Approved? 

UpCard-CA1 is conditionally approved by the FDA for dogs with pulmonary edema from congestive heart failure caused by MMVD to be used concurrently with pimobendan, spironolactone, and an ACE inhibitor. 

Conditional approval from the FDA allows a medication to be marketed for up to five years while the manufacturer continues to collect data on its effectiveness. The approval is granted one year at a time and must be renewed annually. If full approval isn’t achieved within five years, the conditional approval ends. 

Torsemide, the active ingredient in UPCard-CA1, is also FDA-approved for human use under the generic torsemide and under the brand names Soaanz and Demadex. 

Compounded Torsemide 

In certain circumstances, your vet may recommend a compounded formulation of torsemide, the active ingredient in UpCard-CA1. 

Compounded medications are prescribed, for example, if:  

• There’s a specific reason your pet’s health can’t be managed by an FDA-approved drug, such as if your pet has trouble taking pills in capsule form 

• The dosage strength is not commercially available 

• The pet is allergic to an ingredient in the FDA-approved medication  

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. They are formulated by your veterinarian and dispensed either by a licensed pharmacist or veterinarian on an individual basis to best suit a patient’s particular needs. 

UpCard-CA1 Considerations for Dogs

UpCard-CA1 should only be used in stable dogs with congestive heart failure due to MMVD, as determined by a veterinarian who has performed a thorough physical and cardiac exam. 

UpCard-CA1 should not be used in dogs who are hypersensitive to it, as well as dogs with certain medical conditions, including kidney failure, absence of urine production, severe dehydration, decreased blood volume, and low blood pressure. 

Veterinarians may recommend discontinuing UpCard-CA1 in dogs showing signs of worsening kidney disease, such as increasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and a significant drop in urine output. 

Giving UpCard-CA1 with certain medications can result in health risks to your dog, so always discuss your dog’s medications, including vitamins and supplements, and medical conditions with your veterinarian. 

At the time of this publication, UpCard-CA1 has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs, nor in dogs with diabetes or other serious internal diseases. 

How UpCard-CA1 Works in Dogs

Torsemide is a diuretic that helps the kidneys remove excess sodium, water, and other electrolytes through urine. 

In dogs with heart failure, torsemide helps clear fluid from the lungs by redirecting it to the urine for elimination. 

How To Give UpCard-CA1 to Dogs

Follow the directions on the drug label or as provided by your veterinarian. 

• UpCard-CA1 is given once daily. 

• UpCard-CA1 may be given with or without food. 

• Your vet may periodically adjust your dog’s dosage with the goal of giving the lowest dose possible to control your dog’s symptoms and maintain their comfort. 

• UpCard-CA1 is often given for long periods of time. 

• Do not stop administering UpCard-CA1 to your dog without consulting your veterinarian. 

Missed a Dose? 

Speak with your veterinarian about what to do if you forget to give a dose of UpCard-CA1. 

Generally, your vet may instruct you to give it when you remember, or if it is almost time for your dog’s next dose, to skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule.  

Do not give extra or double doses. 

Possible Side Effects of UpCard-CA1 in Dogs

Because UpCard-CA1 is a diuretic medication, side effects such as increased thirst and increased urination are common and expected in dogs.  

Additional side effects of UpCard-CA1 can include: 

• Loss of appetite 

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

• Dehydration 

• Abnormal kidney lab values 

• Kidney damage 

• Electrolyte imbalances 

Immediately contact your veterinarian or seek emergency veterinary care if your dog has the following symptoms, which are associated with worsening congestive heart failure: 

• Worsening cough 

• Trouble breathing 

Human Side Effects 

UpCard-CA1 is a prescription veterinary medication not intended for use in humans. 

Due to possible side effects, humans should never use medicine dispensed for their pets and pets should not be given any medicine dispensed for a human’s use.  

Wash your hands after administration or spillage. 

If you accidentally ingest a pet medication, seek medical attention in person or call Poison Control at 800-222-1222. 

Monitoring Your Pet 

Treatment with UpCard-CA1 requires intensive monitoring and close supervision by your veterinarian, depending on your dog’s individual needs and other medications they are taking. 

Before starting UpCard-CA1, your vet will examine your dog and run blood tests to check kidney function and electrolyte levels. These tests are repeated at 24 and 48 hours after starting or adjusting the dose, and then monthly until your dog’s results stabilize. Based on these findings, your vet will determine the lowest effective dose for your dog. 

When To Call Your Vet 

Call your veterinarian if you see any of the following, or if you have additional questions or concerns about the use of UpCard-CA1:  

• Severe side effects (above) 

• Your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve with treatment 

• You see or suspect an overdose 

UpCard-CA1 Overdose Concerns in Dogs

One-time overdoses are likely to cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. 

Safety studies in dogs who were given overdoses over long periods of time showed side effects that included:  

• Weight loss 

• Decreased appetite 

• Increased urination 

• Reduced activity 

• Dehydration 

• Abnormal kidney lab values 

• Decreased electrolyte levels 

If you suspect an overdose, immediately seek emergency veterinary care or contact an animal poison control center. Consultation fees often apply. 

• Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661  

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control 888-426-4435  

How To Store UpCard-CA1 for Dogs

Keep the following storage tips in mind for UpCard-CA1: 

• Always confirm storage requirements by reading the product label. 

• UpCard-CA1 should be stored at controlled temperatures at or below 86 F (30 C) and brief exposure to temperatures between 39-104 F (4-40 C) are acceptable. 

• Discard 90 days after opening. 

• Keep the container tightly closed to protect the medicine from moisture and light. 

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.