Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pimobendan may improve survival in cats with certain heart disease
By Hambrook, Lydia E & Bennett, Peter F·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2012·Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of pimobendan on the clinical outcome and survival of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 32 cats with a serious heart condition called non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were treated with either a medication called pimobendan or standard care without it. The cats receiving pimobendan had a much longer average survival time of 49 days compared to just 12 days for those not on the medication. All cats were also given other treatments like diuretics and heart medications. No side effects from pimobendan were reported, making it a promising option for improving survival in these cats.
People also search for: cat heart disease treatment · pimobendan for cats · dilated cardiomyopathy in cats · cat heart medication side effects
Abstract
This retrospective study was designed to assess the effect of pimobendan on the median survival time (MST) of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Thirty-two client-owned cats with a left ventricular internal dimension at end systole (LVIDs) >14 mm, a fractional shortening (FS) <28% and a lack of response to taurine therapy were included over a 9-year period (2001-2010). These cats were divided into pimobendan (n=16) and non-pimobendan (n=16) treatment groups. All cats received standard treatment with frusemide, taurine and benazepril or enalapril. Nine cats in the non-pimobendan group also received digoxin. The MST of the pimobendan group (49 days; range 1 to >502 days) was four times that of the non-pimobendan group (12 days; 1 to 244 days). The difference in survival between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.048). Hypothermia and FS <20% were associated with a poor prognosis. No adverse effects to pimobendan were noted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22412159/