Pimobendan is used in the management of heart failure in dogs, most commonly caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (also previously known as endocardiosis), or dilated cardiomyopathy.

[3] Research has shown that as a monotherapy, pimobendan increases survival time and improves quality of life in canine patients with congestive heart failure secondary to mitral valve disease when compared with benazepril, an ACE inhibitor.

It sensitizes and increases the binding efficiency of cardiac troponin in the myofibril to the calcium ions that are already present in systole.

Pimobendan is often used in combination with three other drugs to palliate dogs with heart failure (pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, ascites).

cyclization of the resulting ortho amino amide by means of a strong acid leads to the formation of the corresponding benzimidazole.