Dog Owners Unaware That Their Pet May be Suffering From Serious Heart Disease
VANCOUVER, July 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
- But New Study Provides Hope in the Quest to Help Dogs Live Longer
Recently released global research shows that over 50% of dog owners are
unaware that their dog may be at risk of heart failure. Heart disease affects
one in four dogs over seven years of age(1), yet the lack of knowledge about
this serious, life-threatening condition calls for better education amongst
dog owners on how to recognise the disease, and how to maintain their dogs'
heart health.
These statistics indicate a critical need to raise general awareness
about congestive heart failure in dogs. If more dog owners are aware of the
disease and the signs to look out for in their pet, heart failure could be
detected and treated at an earlier stage, allowing for timely management and
a potentially longer and more comfortable life for their dog.
New data were also presented at the 29th World Veterinary Congress that
show that dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) that is due to a condition
called myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) live longer when treated with
pimobendan (Vetmedin(R)) compared with a commonly used ACE inhibitor(3). The
results of the QUEST trial, the largest international study of its kind to be
conducted amongst dogs with congestive heart failure, are due to be published
in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM) later this year.
The condition myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) accounts for
approximately 75% of all cases of CHF in dogs(2). MMVD is associated with the
thickening of the cusps of the mitral valve (one of the main one-way valves
within the heart), affecting the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of
the body. Although there is no cure for CHF due to MMVD, there are treatments
available to manage the condition, improving the quality and length of the
dog's life(2).
Professor Jens Haggstrom, lead investigator of the QUEST trial from the
University of Uppsala, Sweden, commented that, "The QUEST trial is a
significant milestone in our efforts to reassure both veterinarians and dog
owners, that there is compelling evidence to show that pimobendan is an
effective treatment for CHF that prolongs their dog's life and provides the
pet and owner with more quality time together."
The QUEST trial was a randomised, positive-controlled, multi-centre trial
conducted at 28 sites across 11 countries, and is the largest study of its
kind ever conducted in veterinary cardiology. The study compared a pimobendan
group with a group treated with benazepril hydrochloride on top of background
diuretic therapy. The trial spanned three years and followed dogs to death,
euthanasia or treatment failure leading to withdrawal from the trial(3).
Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
belong to the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. The Boehringer
Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies.
Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 135 affiliates
in 47 countries and 39,800 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the
family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing,
manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for
human and veterinary medicine.
In 2007, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of almost 11 billion euro
while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment
Prescription Medicines on research and development.
The animal health business is conducted in more than 20 countries
including USA, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, Mexico, the Nordic
countries Japan and China. Since 1955, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is
contributing to an adequate supply of safe, nutritious food and is promoting
the emotional and physical benefits arising from the human-animal bond.
Notes to Editors
About the survey
The survey was conducted in May 2008, amongst 1,531 dog owners in
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, UK and US.
Useful statistics:
- 80% of respondents described their dog as 'part of the family'
- 81% of respondents follow the advice they receive from their vet
- 49% of respondents did not think they had a 'good' understanding of the
diseases/conditions to which their dog may be susceptible
Please be advised
This release is from Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Headquarters in
Germany. Please be aware that there may be national differences between
countries regarding specific medical information, including licensed uses.
Please take account of this when referring to the information provided in
this document. This press release is not intended for distribution within the
U.S.A.
References:
1) Evans T, Johnson C, Wernham J. Cardiovascular Insight: A global study
of category prospects. Wood Mackenzie. July 2007.
2) Haggstrom J, Kvart C and Pedersen H. "Acquired valvular heart disease"
in Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC (Eds). Textbook of veterinary internal medicine:
diseases of the dog and cat. 2005 (6th edition).
3) Haggstrom J, Boswood A, O'Grady M, et al. Effect of pimobendan on
survival in dogs with congestive heart failure due to myxomatous mitral valve
disease. Abstract presented at the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine 2008 congress, June 4-7, San Antonio, Texas.
Canine cardiology experts in the following countries are available for
comment.
For country-specific information please contact:
Australia/New Zealand:
Angela Hinchley,
Spinifex Communications,
+61-2-9954-4051,
angela.hinchley@spinifexcommunications.com.au
Canada:
Cristiane Doherty,
+1-613-233-9191,
Delta Media Inc.
Cristiane@DeltaMedia.ca
France:
Dominique Kerforn,
+33-1-56-03-12-75,
I&e Consultants,
dkerforn@i-e.fr
Germany:
Petra von der Lage,
MasterMedia,
+49-40-507-113-44,
vonderlage@mastermedia.de
UK:
Danny Stepto,
+44-208-392-8040,
Red Door Communications,
dstepto@rdcomms.com
SOURCE: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
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