Death after Pimobendan (Vetmedin) in cats

33 reports to the FDA describe death in cats given Pimobendan. That is 23% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

33Reports

82%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

100%Died or euthanised

28 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 25%

1–2 days

3 15%

3–7 days

2 10%

1–4 weeks

1 5.0%

Over a month

9 45%

How the animals did

Died

18 55%

Euthanised

15 45%

Problems reported at the same time

Kidney problems

11 33%

Breathing problems

9 27%

Loss of appetite

8 24%

Weight loss

6 18%

Didn't work as expected

6 18%

Vomiting

6 18%

Pleural effusion

6 18%

Hypotension

3 9.1%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Pimobendan treats heart failure and some heart disease.

Products with this ingredient include Vetmedin. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Pimobendan cause death in cats?: 33 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 28 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

All reported side effects of Pimobendan in cats · Medicines most reported with death