GEARHUB

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs and Cats

Dilated cardiomyopathy

A serious heart disease, most common in large and giant-breed dogs, in which the heart muscle weakens, thins, and stretches out, causing the heart chambers to enlarge and lose their ability to pump blood efficiently.

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Symptoms

  • Fatigue or reduced tolerance for exercise
  • Poor appetite
  • Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
  • Coughing
  • Fainting or collapse
  • In some cases, sudden death with no prior warning signs

Causes

  • Genetic predisposition, especially in Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Great Danes, and Irish Wolfhounds
  • Nutritional factors, including taurine deficiency
  • Certain infections
  • Idiopathic (unknown) causes in some dogs

Treatments

  • Medications to strengthen heart contractions and manage fluid buildup
  • Drugs to control abnormal heart rhythms
  • Dietary adjustments, including taurine supplementation if deficient
  • Regular cardiac monitoring, since DCM is progressive and cannot be cured

This condition is common in the following Dogs & Cats

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