Canine Cardiology II

By: Michael Lamping, DVM

            For many people, taking their pet to the veterinarian is like taking child to the pediatrician.  Everyone hopes to only hear good news.  Unfortunately veterinarians sometimes have to deliver concerning information.  At times I even have to discuss abnormal exam findings with owners of young pets.  Heart disease is traditionally considered a disease of older animals and people.  However, certain breeds of dogs are particularly prone to developing a life-threatening form of heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, even at a young age.

            Large breed dogs such as Boxers, Doberman pinschers, Great Danes, and Irish wolfhounds, along with smaller Cocker spaniels are specific breeds which we evaluate with a closer eye for this disease. 

            DCM can begin to affect dogs as young as 2 years, though most dogs are diagnosed when they are between 4-8 years old.  In this disease, the heart muscle weakens and stretches, becoming less able to effectively contract and deliver a quality heartbeat, leading to poor blood flow.  Often, the heart muscle beats out of rhythm, a condition called arrhythmia.  The seriousness of an arrhythmia can vary widely.  Some dogs are asymptomatic, while others display cough, fatigue, and weight loss.  I have known some Dobermans who would appear to be healthy to collapse suddenly.  Sometimes they collapse from fainting and recover quickly, other times they actually die from the arrhythmia.  We hope to prevent this from occurring.

            To help identify if your pet has DCM, veterinarians examine the heart and lung sounds and evaluate the pulse rate and quality.  To screen for an arrhythmia, we test healthy dogs with an electrocardiogram annually.  The diagnosis of DCM often requires the use of an echocardiogram (an ultrasound exam of the heart).  A new blood hormone test might also be helpful in distinguishing uncertain cases.

            While DCM is not curable, treatment can improve the prognosis and provide a better quality of life.  Better pet health starts with a physical exam.  Schedule your pet's wellness exam today at Murphy Road Animal Hospital.