Dog kept alive by Viagra

We have previously reported on several cases where the erectile dysfunction treatment, Viagra, has been used to treat conditions other than impotence. Of all of the cases that we have looked at, this one must surely be the strangest. The patient in question is not a human, but a pit-bull terrier dog, which was rescued from abandonment and illness two years ago before being prescribed a regular dose of the little blue pill by vets.

The six year old pooch, named Ingrid, was originally found tied to a fence by rescue workers in Long Island, New York. She was taken to the vet, at which point it was discovered that she had a build up of fluid in her abdomen. The vet suggested that Viagra might help her by opening up the blood vessels, and sure enough, it worked. She has been taking the impotence treatment ever since.

Because Ingrid needs Viagra to survive it is expensive to keep up her medications. But local residents have been generous with their donations to the cause. Now Ingrid is going up for adoption and it is hoped that a new owner will step forward who is able to afford her treatments.

Viagra for sheep?

Ingrid is not the first animal to be prescribed a dose of Viagra. Earlier this year it was found that pregnant sheep could benefit from the medication; by increasing blood flow to the uterus, it aided foetal growth.

Back in the human world, there have been many cases where Viagra has been used for unusual purposes. One woman was able to give birth to a healthy child thanks to the drug, after it was used to thicken the lining of her womb, to the point where doctors were able to implant embryos. Impotence treatments have also been used to keep newborn babies alive, and have been given to muscular dystrophy patients to help their health.