Canine heart drug gets approval
By Kim Campbell Thornton
May 31, 2007
A year and a half ago, I was begging my veterinarian to find out more about a drug called Pimobendan, also known as Vetmedin, which was rumored to be helpful for dogs with mitral valve disease. But it wasn’t until Darcy went into heart failure a couple of months later and was treated at the specialty emergency hospital that the drug was prescribed for her. At the time, it was one of the few places that Pimobendan was available unless you happened to be near a veterinary school or could cross the Mexican or Canadian border to buy it there or purchased it online from a non-US source. I credit the drug with giving Darcy six good months with us before we lost her.
As reported by CavalierHealth.org, the drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be dispensed by licensed veterinarians for congestive heart failure in dogs due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. Studies at Texas A&M and by the manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, show longer survival times and improved heart and respiratory rates. Longer means up to 13 months rather than up to four months, so it’s not a cure or a long-term treatment by any means, but any extra time means a lot.
Kim,
What good news about the drug being approved. I lost a beloved boxer (10 years old) to heart failure and at the time there wasn’t much that could be done for her. I miss her still.
Comment by Linda — May 31, 2007 @ 10:06 am
Hi Linda,
I understand. It’s been almost a year now and I was still in tears as I wrote this. Like all drugs, this one isn’t perfect, but it made such a rapid improvement in Darcy that I’m really happy for all the dogs and owners who will benefit from it now.
Comment by Kim Campbell Thornton — May 31, 2007 @ 10:22 am
I know. Thanks Kim.
Comment by Linda — May 31, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Wonder if this is a drug that will eventually also be approved for humans.
So many drugs that started out in veterinarian research ended up helping humans big time, especially antibiotics.
Always wonder how many vets in research, used some of those drugs themselves for similar ilnesses before approved by the FDA for human use.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6009091
Comment by Serijna — May 31, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Thank you for this information, I will be posting it a work just in case the vets I work with haven’t heard.
Comment by Nancy Campbell RVT — May 31, 2007 @ 11:00 am
If I recall correctly, it was being used in humans. It gave them better quality of life but not longer life. Not sure if it’s still being used for humans in Europe.
Comment by Kim Campbell Thornton — May 31, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
On our local tv news: new story - showed picture of a small doggie - looked like a very mini dog - little silky or something - evidently a woman was caught pinching her dog - and she faces felony charges. Haven’t seen the story yet - never heard of someone pinching their dog before - ummmm…..
Comment by Linda — May 31, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Oh this is so great! I thought I was going to lose my Toy poodle to congestive heart failure last month. After a couple of weeks the vet suggested Pimobendan. She’s been on it about two weeks and is doing so much better.
Comment by Tracy — May 31, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Vetmedin has been a miracle drug for my mini-schnauzer, and “miracle” is not an overstatement. Sadie was in very poor health and the enalapril that her regular vet prescribed nearly killed her. She started having seizures and fainting spells. Then one night I took her to the Emergency Vet and they gave her vetmedin. Within a few days it was a 180-degree night-and-day change in her condition! She’s not had a single siezure or fainting spell since then. She is obviously slowing down and I know this bought us some time, not a cure. But it has meant SO MUCH to me, to have these extra months with her. I sure hope this stuff is approved for humans by the time I need it. :)
Comment by Helen — September 27, 2009 @ 12:36 pm