VANCOUVER, Canada, July 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- 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.

For more information please visit http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

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 Contact: Julia Meyer-Kleinmann Head Science & Technology Communications Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH 55216 Ingelheim/Germany Phone: +49-6132-77-8271 Fax: +49-6132-77-7077 E-mail: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Contact: Julia Meyer-Kleinmann, Head Science & Technology Communications, Boehringer Ingelheim, GmbH 55216 Ingelheim/Germany, Phone: +49-6132-77-8271, Fax: +49-6132-77-7077, E-mail: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com