FDA Conditionally Approves First Drug to Delay Onset of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration conditionally approved Vetmedin-CA1 (pimobendan) chewable tablets, the first drug indicated for delaying the onset of congestive heart failure in dogs with Stage B2 preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). MMVD is a condition in dogs where an abnormal heart valve allows blood to leak backward (regurgitation), impacting the ability of the heart to pump blood and resulting in an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly). If left untreated, this condition may lead to heart failure and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Stage B2 preclinical MMVD refers to dogs with MMVD that have not yet developed signs of heart failure but have a moderate or loud mitral murmur due to a leaking mitral heart valve and have an enlarged heart. Read more …