Research

The administration of pimobendan to Dobermans with preclinical DCM prolongs the time to the onset of clinical signs and extends survival. Treatment of dogs in the preclinical phase of this common cardiovascular disorder with pimobendan can lead to improved outcome.

The breed differences in DCM, both in manifestations and clinical course, make it unlikely that identical criteria apply to all breeds. However, our scoring system and these criteria offer veterinary cardiologists a starting point for future studies. The criteria and the scoring system may be refined for specific breeds. It is probable that certain criteria will be weighted differently in certain breeds (e.g. ventricular arrhythmias in Dobermanns and Boxers may represent a major criterion). Furthermore, these criteria will provide a minimum data base aimed at increasing our knowledge about the natural history of the development of DCM in specific breeds, and identifying dogs which should be serially monitored. Longitudinal studies are required in specific breeds to prospectively determine the value of these proposals

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