Doberman cardiomyopathy is a common disease in Europe. The symptoms and progression are different in male and female dogs. Annual screening is recommended for your Doberman from the time he is 2 years old. You should consider having your dog examined for cardiomyopathy. A simple blood test can detect cardiomyopathy at an early age. However if your Doberman has been diagnosed treatment will depend on the severity of the disease.
How common is cardiomyopathy in Dobermans?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a progressive heart muscle disease that affects up to 50% of Doberman pinschers. Although a genetic predisposition seems to be responsible for the disease it is not a preventable ailment. In fact symptoms of DCM are often delayed or absent in affected dogs which makes diagnosis difficult. If a dog does show symptoms of DCM a genetic test should be done.
Although there are no clinical signs of DCM in young dogs this condition can cause sudden cardiac death. The heart can’t pump blood properly or beat normally causing it to beat abnormally. Even older dogs with DCM can suffer from sudden death. Although there is no cure for DCM annual screenings can detect it. If the heart does develop DCM a cardiologist can prescribe a drug to suppress the autoimmune response.
How Long Can dogs live with cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that affects the muscles of the heart. It results in a poor heart function and causes fluid to build up in the chest and abdomen. Dogs suffering from this condition may appear pale and bloated cough often or develop ascites a condition where fluid builds up in the abdomen. In severe cases the dog may die from cardiac failure. Although most dogs will recover on their own this isn’t always the case.
Because of the severity of DCM early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are necessary for survival. Treatment can significantly increase the life expectancy of affected dogs. Some Doberman pinschers have been known to live for up to three months after diagnosis while other dogs have lived for six to twenty four months. If the heart failure is detected early the prognosis is better for the dog than for the owner. However a veterinarian can give you all the necessary information to help you make an informed decision.
Can cardiomyopathy be reversed in dogs?
Can cardiomyopathy in dogs be cured? A condition that affects the heart is called dilated cardiomyopathy. It has various causes and effects and can be treated to improve your dog’s life. Learn about the symptoms and treatments for this condition from Matthews veterinary team. A dog’s heart is made up of two chambers the lower chamber and the upper chamber. As the disease progresses the heart becomes enlarged and weakened making it difficult to pump blood throughout the body and reduces the function of other organs.
The symptoms of cardiomyopathy vary from case to case but it’s best to see a vet for regular screenings to catch the condition early and initiate treatment. There are two major types of cardiomyopathy dilated and hypertrophic in canines. The most common is dilated cardiomyopathy while hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs less frequently in dogs. In both cases the heart muscle walls become weaker and it becomes difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently. This leads to increased pressure on the heart and makes it stretch making it harder for it to function properly.
What are the symptoms of cardiomyopathy in dogs?
Heart failure can cause an animal to collapse become faint and experience difficulty breathing. The condition may also cause the dog to cough up blood. The dog may also exhibit abdominal swelling and difficulty breathing. A veterinarian may recommend that the dog be observed by counting his or her breaths per minute. Other symptoms of heart failure include loss of appetite and weight loss. When it is more advanced the animal may be unable to eat or drink.
A condition called dilated cardiomyopathy affects the heart muscles causing the heart to pump less blood than normal. It can be caused by a number of factors including improper nutrition or infections. Although there is no single cause of dilated cardiomyopathy it is believed that certain breeds are more prone to developing the condition than others. Large dog breeds are most commonly affected although smaller breeds may also develop the condition.
