Strengthening dogs’ hearts for 25 years
Dogs have an extraordinary way of nestling their hearts straight into ours. However, many dog owners may not be aware of the risks of heart disease in dogs – or that their beloved companion may be already experiencing heart trouble.
Identifying heart disease before symptoms arise
In the early stage of heart disease, dogs do not typically show any obvious outward signs of heart disease, so sadly, many people are not able to address their dog’s heart condition before it is too late to effectively treat it.
“Most dogs with heart disease do not show visible symptoms, and the asymptomatic phase often lasts several years,” explained Professor Gerhard Wess, Head of the Cardiology Service, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. “The good news is that with annual veterinary screening examinations, early-stage heart disease can be detected early and often can be well-managed for many years.”
Research paves the way
Just before the turn of the 21st century, dogs with heart disease did not have many available treatment options. Once dogs showed symptoms in a later stage of heart disease, they typically were given medicines to lower their blood pressure, and they often did not have much time to live.
“We experienced a major breakthrough with a new cardiology drug that Boehringer Ingelheim first introduced in 1999,” said Prof. Wess. “Within the next several years, clinical studies showed multiple benefits for dogs using this medication. Research showed a significant improvement in quality of life, length of life, with a delay in disease progression before symptoms were present.”1,2
More life to love
Over two decades, Boehringer Ingelheim has supported several landmark canine cardiology studies. Clinical research is a significant part of the company’s commitment to deliver evidence-based science and innovation to improve and extend life for pets.
“We are proud to be a longtime leader in canine cardiology – helping dogs with both preclinical and clinical heart disease,” said Erich Schött, Head of Pet Therapeutics and Pet Vaccines. “After 25 years in 50 countries, we are thrilled to partner with veterinarians to offer a treatment that can strengthen a dog’s ailing heart. In total, dogs around the world have had 1 million more years of additional life to love, and we continue to invest in new innovations to help more dogs with heart disease.”
For more information about types of heart disease in animals and risk factors, please visit this page.
References
1 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 Sep-Oct;22(5):1124-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0150.x. Epub 2008 Jul 11.
2 Boswood A, Häggström J, Gordon SG, et al. Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly: The EPIC Study-A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Vet Intern Med. 2016 Nov;30(6):1765-1779. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14586. Epub 2016 Sep 28.
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