Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has launched Semintra, a new liquid treatment for cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The active ingredient in Semintra is telmisartan, the first angiotensin receptor blocker to be licensed in veterinary medicine.

Like benazepril, Semintra is indicated for the reduction of proteinuria associated with CKD in cats. Boehringer says it has a highly targeted mode of action that provides rapid and reliable reduction of proteinuria in cats with chronic kidney disease. The company adds that it is well tolerated and almost exclusively excreted in the faeces, so elimination is not dependent on renal function.²

Above all, Boehringer is highlighting the how easy the treatment is to use, pointing to a study that has shown it is well accepted by more than 90% of cats.^1,3 

Martha Cannon, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine at the Oxford Cat Clinic, has already used Semintra in cats with CKD. She said: "For us at the Oxford Cat Clinic, ease of use is an enormously important part of any product that we use for cats. From our personal experience, we found that Semintra is very well accepted by cats, with owners finding it very easy to give and to build into their cat's daily treatment plan."

Semintra is available from veterinary wholesalers as a 4mg/ml oral solution. There is one 30 ml bottle size which will last the average 4kg cat 30 days.

A few CKD facts provided by Boehringer:

• Chronic kidney disease is a common disease affecting up to 10% of all cats ^4-6 and approximately 35% of geriatric cats.^7-11 
• It is a debilitating disease that detracts from the quality of life of the cat and owner and the bond between them.¹² 
• Semintra is the first new pharmaceutical to be licensed in this disease area for a number of years.¹ 

For further information on Semintra visit www.semintra.co.uk, contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager or telephone +44 (0)1344 746959.

References

1. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): Semintra^® (telmisartan). London: European Medicines Agency, 2013. Available at www.ema.europa.eu
2. Summary of Product Characteristics: Semintra^® (telmisartan). London: European Medicines Agency, 2013. Available at www.ema.europa.eu 
3. Sent, U. et al (2013) Characterisation of telmisartan in cats (abstract). World Feline Veterinary Congress.  Barcelona, Spain, International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM). 
4. Boyd, L. M. et al. (2008) Survival in cats with naturally occurring chronic kidney disease (2000-2002). J Vet Intern Med, 22, 1111-1117.
5. Watson, A.D. (2001) Indicators of renal insufficiency in dogs and cats presented at a veterinary teaching hospital. Aust Vet Practit, 31, 54-58
6. Lund, E.M. et al. (1999) Health status and population characteristics of dogs and cats examined at private veterinary practices in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 214, 1336-1341.
7. Brown, S. (2005) Urinary System. In: Kahn, C. (ed). The Merck Veterinary Manual. Whitehouse Station: MERCK & CO., INC. 1267-1272.
8. Brown, S. (2007) Management of chronic kidney disease. In: Elliott, J. and Grauer, G. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology. 2nd ed. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association. 223-230.
9. Brown, S. (2012) "Managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): 10 Common Questions", Proceedings of the 83rd Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) Conference, Tampa, FL, May 4-6, 2012.
10. Krawiec, D. R. & Gelburg, H. B. (1989) Chronic renal disease in cats, in: Kirk, R. W. (ed.) Current Veterinary Therapy X, 1170-1173. Philadelphia: WB Saunders.
11. Polzin, D. & Osborn, C. (1986) Update: conservative medical management of chronic renal failure In: Kirk RW, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy IX, Philadelphia: WB Saunders. 1167-1173.
12. Polzin, D. J. (2013) Evidence-based step-wise approach to managing chronic kidney disease in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care, 23(2), 205-215.

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