Clinical Efficacy of Adding Long-Term Pimobendan Treatment to Standard Therapy in a Cat with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

A 6-year-old, spayed female American Shorthair cat was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy based on various clinical examinations. Medical treatment with benazepril (0.5mg/kg, bid), spironolactone (2mg/kg,bid), and pimobendan (0.25mg/kg, bid) was initiated. On day 7, appetite and exercise intolerance were improved, and the pleural effusion had disappeared. However, pimobendan was discontinued on day 9, and pleural effusion was observed on day 14. Pimobendan was consequently resumed. Pimobendan was administered for 797 days, and a decrease in the left atrial size and an increase in the diastolic left ventricular internal dimension were confirmed in echocardiograms. In addition, no congestive signs developed during the therapy. Thus, pimobendan may exert beneficial effects as part of the therapy for cats with heart failure due to diastolic dysfunction.