Dr. Michael O'Grady from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, a fellow lead-investigator added, "The QUEST study provides compelling evidence that dogs with the most common form of heart failure should be receiving Vetmedin(R) as an essential part of their treatment regimen."
QUEST is the largest international study ever conducted looking at treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by MMVD, with 260 dogs studied in 11 countries, across three continents, over a period of three years.
The study was conducted by a team of 32 independent veterinary cardiologists from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom among other countries.
CHF caused by MMVD most commonly affects older, small breed dogs, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds.(3)
Symptoms of this form of heart failure that dog owners should look for include coughing, reduced tolerance for exercise, anxiety and restlessness during the night, and laboured breathing.(3) If these symptoms are present, it is important that dog owners take their pets to their veterinarians for assessment and treatment.
"Dog owners should be encouraged by the results of the QUEST study, as it demonstrates an important treatment option for lengthening a dog's life when it has this common, debilitating and life-threatening heart condition," said Jens Häggström, Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine, University of Uppsala and the other lead-investigator on the trial.
Owners now have new information regarding the best chance for enjoying the maximum time possible with their dogs suffering from the most common cause of heart failure.
"With our dogs being so important to our families, we owners should do
all we can to make sure our pets are receiving the most effective
treatment", said Sally Copland, owner of Fern, an eight-year-old King
Charles Spaniel being treated with V
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