Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
SGLT2 inhibitor drugs and dosing for dogs with mitral valve disease
By Umezawa, Mutsuki et al.·Published in The Journal of veterinary medical science·2025·School of Veterinary Medicine, Japan·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors: Prospects for canine myxomatous mitral valve disease and finding the "right drug" and the "right dose" for dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at the use of a human diabetes medication called dapagliflozin in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), a common cause of heart failure in dogs. The researchers found that this drug could be a promising option for treating MMVD, which is often difficult to manage with standard medications. They suggested that dapagliflozin might help improve heart function in dogs suffering from this condition. While more research is needed, this could lead to better treatment options for dogs with heart problems.
People also search for: dog heart failure treatment · myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs · dapagliflozin for dogs
Abstract
Human pharmaceuticals are widely used in veterinary medicine. Nevertheless, identifying the optimal pharmaceuticals and dosages has been a significant challenge, as these medications may not be efficacious or may even be toxic to small animals. Following the approval of a pharmaceutical for human use, comprehensive non-clinical information is made public in Japan as Summary Technical Documentation (STED) and in the U.S. as Drug Approval Packages. As canines are often employed in non-clinical investigations, the information could prove invaluable in identifying the optimal pharmaceuticals and dosages. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a class of anti-diabetic agents for humans, with a total of nine drugs currently approved in Japan, the U.S. and the E.U. Among them, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have been approved for the treatment of chronic heart failure. In canines, myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) represents the most prevalent etiology of chronic heart failure. Despite the recommendation of pimobendan and loop diuretics as standard-of-care medications, MMVD remains a disease with a poor prognosis due to its progressive nature. We examined the pharmacology, safety, and pharmacokinetics of the globally approved SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin) in canines in the STED. Based on these results, we propose dapagliflozin as the most favorable pharmaceutical in canines. We also discuss the potential effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on canine MMVD, considering the similarities between canine MMVD and human chronic heart failure.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40240174/