Lasix (Furosemide) Tablets
Lasix is the long-standing market leader for acute and chronic diuretic management in dogs because of its rapid, potent loop diuretic effect and widespread veterinary familiarity; it is especially effective for acute pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure. Compared with other agents on this list it offers the lowest acquisition cost per dose and a predictable IV/oral dosing profile, though it lacks the potassium-sparing and RAAS-modifying properties of spironolactone and the longer duration of torsemide.
Rapid fluid relief
Veteran loop hero
Rapid fluid relief
Veteran loop hero
Review Summary
"Owners report Lasix (furosemide) tablets are highly effective at reducing fluid buildup in dogs with heart disease and are reliable with long-term use; common downsides are frequent urination and occasional electrolyte changes that require monitoring."
Heart-failure staple
Potent loop diuretic commonly used for canine congestive heart failure.
Heart-failure staple
Potent loop diuretic commonly used for canine congestive heart failure.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Lasix is the long-standing market leader for acute and chronic diuretic management in dogs because of its rapid, potent loop diuretic effect and widespread veterinary familiarity; it is especially effective for acute pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure. Compared with other agents on this list it offers the lowest acquisition cost per dose and a predictable IV/oral dosing profile, though it lacks the potassium-sparing and RAAS-modifying properties of spironolactone and the longer duration of torsemide.
Rapid fluid relief
Veteran loop hero
Heart-failure staple
Potent loop diuretic commonly used for canine congestive heart failure.
Oral tablet formulation with rapid onset to reduce pulmonary edema and fluid overload.
Rapid fluid relief
Veteran loop hero
Heart-failure staple
Potent loop diuretic commonly used for canine congestive heart failure.
Oral tablet formulation with rapid onset to reduce pulmonary edema and fluid overload.
$40-80 CAD
Salix (Furosemide) Oral Solution
Salix oral solution provides the same furosemide pharmacology as tablets but in a liquid formulation tailored for dogs that require precise small-animal dosing or pill-avoidant patients, reducing the need for compounding. Financially it can be costlier than generic tablets but technically saves owners and clinics time and dosing errors for small breeds, and it is more practical than tablets for titration compared with fixed-dose hydrochlorothiazide or spironolactone tablets.
Easy liquid dosing
Puppy-friendly pour
Easy liquid dosing
Puppy-friendly pour
Review Summary
"Salix (furosemide) oral solution is praised for easy, precise dosing for small or difficult-to-pill dogs and shows similar efficacy to tablets; some users note the taste and handling can be messy and require careful measurement."
Precise drop control
Oral solution allows precise dosing for small dogs and animals that refuse pills.
Precise drop control
Oral solution allows precise dosing for small dogs and animals that refuse pills.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Salix oral solution provides the same furosemide pharmacology as tablets but in a liquid formulation tailored for dogs that require precise small-animal dosing or pill-avoidant patients, reducing the need for compounding. Financially it can be costlier than generic tablets but technically saves owners and clinics time and dosing errors for small breeds, and it is more practical than tablets for titration compared with fixed-dose hydrochlorothiazide or spironolactone tablets.
Easy liquid dosing
Puppy-friendly pour
Precise drop control
Oral solution allows precise dosing for small dogs and animals that refuse pills.
Same active ingredient (furosemide) as tablets with quick diuretic effect.
Easy liquid dosing
Puppy-friendly pour
Precise drop control
Oral solution allows precise dosing for small dogs and animals that refuse pills.
Same active ingredient (furosemide) as tablets with quick diuretic effect.
$50-90 CAD
Spironolactone Tablets
Spironolactone is recommended as a best-in-class adjunct diuretic in canine cardiac care because it is potassium-sparing and antagonizes aldosterone, providing cardioprotective and RAAS-modulating benefits beyond simple fluid removal. While not as powerful at fluid mobilization as loop diuretics such as furosemide or torsemide, it is inexpensive as a generic and reduces hypokalemia risk and adverse electrolyte shifts when used alongside loop or thiazide agents.
Potassium-sparing guard
Aldosterone blocker
Potassium-sparing guard
Aldosterone blocker
Review Summary
"Spironolactone tablets are commonly used as an adjunct diuretic and for aldosterone antagonism in chronic cases, with many owners noting improved management of fluid retention and minimal side effects, though benefits can be more subtle and slower to appear."
Soft diuretic support
Potassium-sparing diuretic often used alongside loop diuretics to reduce potassium losses.
Soft diuretic support
Potassium-sparing diuretic often used alongside loop diuretics to reduce potassium losses.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Spironolactone is recommended as a best-in-class adjunct diuretic in canine cardiac care because it is potassium-sparing and antagonizes aldosterone, providing cardioprotective and RAAS-modulating benefits beyond simple fluid removal. While not as powerful at fluid mobilization as loop diuretics such as furosemide or torsemide, it is inexpensive as a generic and reduces hypokalemia risk and adverse electrolyte shifts when used alongside loop or thiazide agents.
Potassium-sparing guard
Aldosterone blocker
Soft diuretic support
Potassium-sparing diuretic often used alongside loop diuretics to reduce potassium losses.
Acts as an aldosterone antagonist and can provide benefit in certain cardiac patients.
Potassium-sparing guard
Aldosterone blocker
Soft diuretic support
Potassium-sparing diuretic often used alongside loop diuretics to reduce potassium losses.
Acts as an aldosterone antagonist and can provide benefit in certain cardiac patients.
$30-70 CAD
Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets
Hydrochlorothiazide is a low-cost thiazide diuretic suitable for long-term management of mild hypertension and as an adjunct in some congestive heart failure cases in dogs; its oral tablet form makes it accessible for outpatient management. Technically it is less potent at fluid removal than loop diuretics on this list but offers a good price-to-dose ratio for chronic blood pressure control and complements potassium-sparing spironolactone to balance electrolyte effects.
Daily BP helper
Mild long-term relief
Daily BP helper
Mild long-term relief
Review Summary
"Hydrochlorothiazide tablets are effective for mild to moderate fluid control and are inexpensive, but some long-term users report less potency compared with loop diuretics and a higher need for electrolyte monitoring."
Small tablet ease
Thiazide diuretic used for mild fluid retention and as an adjunct for hypertension control.
Small tablet ease
Thiazide diuretic used for mild fluid retention and as an adjunct for hypertension control.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Hydrochlorothiazide is a low-cost thiazide diuretic suitable for long-term management of mild hypertension and as an adjunct in some congestive heart failure cases in dogs; its oral tablet form makes it accessible for outpatient management. Technically it is less potent at fluid removal than loop diuretics on this list but offers a good price-to-dose ratio for chronic blood pressure control and complements potassium-sparing spironolactone to balance electrolyte effects.
Daily BP helper
Mild long-term relief
Small tablet ease
Thiazide diuretic used for mild fluid retention and as an adjunct for hypertension control.
Inexpensive oral tablet commonly available as a generic.
Daily BP helper
Mild long-term relief
Small tablet ease
Thiazide diuretic used for mild fluid retention and as an adjunct for hypertension control.
Inexpensive oral tablet commonly available as a generic.
$15-35 CAD
Torsemide Tablets
Torsemide is positioned as the market-leading advanced loop diuretic for canine patients who need sustained diuresis because it has superior oral bioavailability and a longer duration of action than furosemide, often allowing once-daily dosing. Although typically more expensive per tablet than furosemide products, its pharmacokinetic advantages can lower total treatment costs and clinic visits over time, and it is especially useful when furosemide responsiveness is suboptimal.
Powerful long-acting
Fewer doses needed
Powerful long-acting
Fewer doses needed
Review Summary
"Torsemide tablets are considered a potent alternative when furosemide response is inadequate and many owners see significant improvement in stubborn edema; users caution about cost and the need for close electrolyte and renal monitoring."
Heavy-fluid buster
More potent and longer-acting loop diuretic sometimes chosen for refractory edema.
Heavy-fluid buster
More potent and longer-acting loop diuretic sometimes chosen for refractory edema.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Torsemide is positioned as the market-leading advanced loop diuretic for canine patients who need sustained diuresis because it has superior oral bioavailability and a longer duration of action than furosemide, often allowing once-daily dosing. Although typically more expensive per tablet than furosemide products, its pharmacokinetic advantages can lower total treatment costs and clinic visits over time, and it is especially useful when furosemide responsiveness is suboptimal.
Powerful long-acting
Fewer doses needed
Heavy-fluid buster
More potent and longer-acting loop diuretic sometimes chosen for refractory edema.
Can be useful when furosemide responses are insufficient or when less frequent dosing is needed.
Powerful long-acting
Fewer doses needed
Heavy-fluid buster
More potent and longer-acting loop diuretic sometimes chosen for refractory edema.
Can be useful when furosemide responses are insufficient or when less frequent dosing is needed.
$60-120 CAD