Podcasts

The use of pimobendan in cats | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts

Feline cardiac disease and secondary congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common presenting complaint to the ER or ICU. Treatment often includes diuretics (e.g., furosemide), oxygen therapy, calcium channel blockers, and other cardiac medications. Recently, the use of pimobendan has been evaluated to treat cats with heart failure. Should we wait to get our echocardiogram results before starting pimobendan? Is HCM a contraindication for giving pimobendan? This veterinary podcast reviews whether the use of oral pimobedan is beneficial, and what contraindications exist.

Update: A recent paper by Reina-Doreste Y et al out of North Carolina State University (JAVMA 2014;245:534-539) just evaluated the use of pimobendan on survival times in cats with HCM and CHF. Check out our upcoming podcast on this (stay tuned – will be released soon!). In the meantime, please resort to reading the paper here!

Questions? You can always contact us via our Contact Us page.

Suggested reading:

1. MacGregor JM, Rush JE, Laste NJ, et al. Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006-2010). J Vet Cardiol 13:251-260, 2011.

2. Gordon SG, Saunders AB, Roland RM, et al. Effects of oral administration of pimobendan in cats with heart failureJ Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241:89–94.

3. Reina-Doreste Y, Stern JA, Keene BW, et al. Case-control study of the effects of pimobendan on survival time in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;245(5):534-539.

4. Wainberg S. Use of pimobendan in feline congenital heart failure. Can Vet J 2013; 54(12): 1164–1166.

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