The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) recently issued new guidelines that recommend pimobendan be given to dogs as part of standard treatment at the onset of clinical signs of CHF.1

This recommendation reinforces the results of the QUEST* study, which found that VETMEDIN-treated dogs with CHF due to valvular heart disease lived virtually twice as long as those on an ACE inhibitor alone.2

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has launched Quest for Life to help communicate the treatment benefits of using VETMEDIN in accordance with established best clinical practices to hospitals and their clients that have dogs with CHF.

Important safety information

VETMEDIN should not be given in case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where an augmentation of cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons. The safety of VETMEDIN has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by etiologies other than atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. Use only in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure. The most common side effects reported in field studies were poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, dyspnea, azotemia, weakness, and ataxia. If side effects should occur, pet owners should contact their veterinarian.

Please refer to the Full Prescribing Information.

*The QUEST study was completed using VETMEDIN Capsules. In the US, only the chewable tablets are licensed. Both the capsules and chewable tablets contain the same pharmaceutical ingredient, pimobendan, and are considered equivalent for clinical use. Bioequivalence, however, has not been shown.

References:
1. Atkins C, Bonagura J, Ettinger S, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of canine chronic valvular heart disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2009;23(6):1142–1150.
2. Häggström J, Boswood A, O’Grady M, et al. Effect of pimobendan or benazepril hydrochloride on survival times in dogs with congestive heart failure caused by naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease: the QUEST study.
J Vet Intern Med. 2008;22(5):1124–1135.