FAQs
When and how to use VETMEDIN
Q: Is VETMEDIN safe for use in all dogs?
A: VETMEDIN should not be given in case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where an augmentation of cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons.
The safety of VETMEDIN has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by etiologies other than atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The safe use of VETMEDIN has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs with congenital heart defects, dogs with diabetes mellitus or other serious metabolic diseases, dogs used for breeding, or pregnant or lactating bitches. Use only in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure.
Q: What happens if a pet owner forgets to give one of the VETMEDIN daily doses?
A: Instruct the pet owner to wait until the next scheduled dosing time and resume
the normal twice-daily (every 12 hours) pattern of dosing.
Q: What should be done in an acute overdose situation?
A: There is no specific antidote for an overdose of VETMEDIN. Contact 866-638-2226 for technical support.
Q: What should be done if a dog vomits shortly after dosing?
A: Please call BIVI Technical Services to report the suspected adverse event at
866-638-2226. Some dogs in our clinical trials experienced transient mild vomiting
that resolved after a few doses. If vomiting is severe or persistent, discontinue the
medication and call BIVI Technical Services at 866-638-2226.
Q: Is there a maximum duration of administration for VETMEDIN?
A: No, there is no limit on the period of time VETMEDIN can be administered to a
patient.1,2
Events and programs
Q: If the Mobile Dog Heart Health Tour stops at my clinic, are any additional client
education materials provided?
A: Yes, depending on the type of event, arrangements can be made with the
tour sponsor, Boehringer Ingelheim, to have additional heart health materials
available for your clients. Depending on your needs, some of these materials
might include VETMEDIN information, general heart health information from the
Cardiac Education Group, or informational videos or CDs about CHF. For some
events, customizable press releases may be available for your clinic to send to local
newspapers and television stations to promote the heart health event.
Q: I have an idea for a Mobile Dog Heart Health Tour event. Is it still possible to
have my idea considered?
A: Yes, tour stops are still being planned for 2011 through 2012. Boehringer
Ingelheim would love to hear your ideas. Simply fill in and submit the
online
request form and a representative of
Boehringer Ingelheim will contact you to discuss possibilities for a tour visit in your area.
Q: What is the Million Heart Challenge?
A: This is an exciting new virtual event to help increase pet owner awareness of
canine heart disease and support veterinary cardiology research. The Million Heart
Challenge is fun, supports cardiac health and charitable causes, and requires only a
minute to participate.
To join the challenge, simply go to the Million Heart Challenge website and follow the easy sign-up instructions.
By participating you will help spread the word that with prompt, appropriate
treatment, dogs with CHF can live longer, healthier lives. You will also help provide
funding for cardiology research. When the Million Heart Challenge receives a million
clicks (representing a million visitors), Boehringer Ingelheim will make a donation
to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) to support further
cardiology research to help dogs with heart disease.
By participating in the Million Heart Challenge, you will also have a chance to enter
vacation sweepstakes.
Q: How can I participate in the Quest for Life program and what rewards are
offered?
A: The activities and rewards of the VETMEDIN Quest for Life program are provided
exclusively to veterinary professionals. Your Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
territory manager can provide you with complete program information and help you
enroll in Quest for Life.
Current Quest for Life programs include Treat 3 and See and Take Heart from
the Start. By participating you will help educate dog owners about how prompt,
appropriate treatment according to ACVIM guidelines can help dogs
with CHF enjoy longer, more active lives.3 Participating veterinary professionals can
earn Amazon and iTunes credits or opt to make a donation to the American Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Q: What are the steps involved in the VETMEDIN Treat 3 and See program?
A: The VETMEDIN Treat 3 and See program is being offered for a limited time to
selected veterinarians as a 3-week treatment trial for dogs with CHF. The 3 steps
involved in the program are to:
- Select 3 dogs with CHF not currently being treated with VETMEDIN.
- Provide the dog owner with a 3-week trial supply of VETMEDIN (1 bottle of 50
chewable tablets)
- Examine participating dogs after the 3-week trial is complete and record
improvements in clinical signs.
When these steps are completed, participating veterinarians will earn iTunes
or Amazon credits and receive a 3-D heart poster. Your Boehringer Ingelheim
Vetmedica, Inc. territory manager can provide you with complete Treat 3 and See
eligibility, enrollment, and program details.
Q: What is Take Heart at the Start?
A: Take Heart at the Start is a program to help veterinary clinics communicate the
ACVIM treatment guidelines to owners of dogs with CHF. Simply identify patients
that may benefit from treatment with VETMEDIN, and Boehringer Ingelheim will
provide you with easily customizable materials to help you get the word out.
Your efforts to spread the word about effective CHF treatment options could
earn you Amazon rewards or donations to support the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
For more information, call 866-638-2226.
Q: What is the Cardiac Education Group?
A: The Cardiac Education Group (CEG) is a group of board-certified veterinary
cardiologists from both academia and private practice that offers independent
recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of canine heart disease.
The group provides resources and information on the diagnosis, treatment, and
management of heart disease and heart failure in dogs to promote early detection
and diagnosis with greater accuracy and confidence.
Visit the CEG website at www.cardiaceducationgroup.org. You’ll find many free tools to help simplify canine
heart disease diagnosis and treatment.
Canine heart disease
Q: What is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)?
A: As its name suggests, MMVD affects the mitral valve located on the left side
of the heart between the atrium and the ventricle. MMVD is a slowly progressive
disease in which the mitral valve thickens over time. Normally, when they close,
heart valves form a perfect seal ensuring that blood flows in the right direction
through the heart. The function of the mitral valve is to channel blood from the left
atrium into the left ventricle. However, when MMVD occurs, the thickening of the
mitral valve results in an imperfect seal and allows blood to “leak” backward into
the atrium as the ventricle contracts.
Q: What is the difference between AVVI and DCM in dogs?
A: AVVI and DCM are the 2 most common causes of canine heart disease with AVVI
accounting for about 75% of canine cases of heart disease seen in veterinary clinics
in the US.3,4 AVVI tends to have a long preclinical phase lasting from months to
years and is a slow-progressing degenerative disease5 that damages heart valve
leaflets.
DCM has a preclinical phase as well but, unlike AVVI, tends to progress rapidly.
DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that causes loss of myocardial contractility.
DCM is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in certain breeds.4 In North America, the Doberman Pinscher is the most commonly affected breed.4
Both AVVI and DCM ultimately lead to CHF in dogs and require prompt treatment at
the first appearance of clinical signs to improve and lengthen life.
References:
1. VETMEDIN® (pimobendan) Chewable Tablets [package insert]. St. Joseph,
MO: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; 2007.
2. VETMEDIN® (pimobendan) Chewable Tablets [Freedom of Information
Summary]. St. Joseph, MO: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; 2007.
3. Atkins C, Bonagura J, Ettinger S, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of canine chronic valvular heart disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2009;23(6):1142–1150.
4. O’Grady MR, Minors SL, O’Sullivan ML, Horne R. Effect of pimobendan on
case fatality rate in Doberman pinschers with congestive heart failure caused
by dilated cardiomyopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2008;22(4):897–904.
5. Lombard CW, Jöns O, Bussadori CM; for the VetSCOPE Study. Clinical efficacy of pimobendan versus benazepril for the treatment of acquired atrioventricular valvular disease in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2006;42(4):249–261.