A dreadful heart disease can afflict dogs, especially Dobermans, Boxers, Wolfhounds, Golden Retrievers and other large breeds. Some small breeds seem to be disproportionately affected too, the Cocker Spaniel being one.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is essentially congestive heart failure and it can take two forms. One is likely to cause a massive heart attack in the dog at any time due to irregularity of heartbeat and pumping function. The other is a progressive heart failure in which congestion will eventually overwhelm the dog’s cardiac system.
It seems to be a congenital problem, as the human equivalent also can be. But, unlike the human version, it’s not likely to be caused by lifestyle alone. Dogs, if allowed the freedom, are much more likely to exercise and eat and drink healthy than we are. Dogs of good weight and muscle tone are just as likely to be affected. It’s in their genes, passed through their breeding lineage.
There is no cure, but there is a lot of research being done on it. The Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph has an on-going study programme for Dobermans with dilated Cardiomyopathy. The reason Dobes were chosen is that it is so prevalent among them. Half the Dobes born will have it, usually manifesting itself between the ages of 4 and 10 or even younger. It can take several months before it kills the dog. Or, as our dog park community found out with last week’s death of 4-year-old Mya, it can take days.
If the sad day comes that you find out your dog has this, there are drug treatments that might help. There are also special low-sodium dog foods designed for heart ailments. You’ll have to cut back on your dog’s running so as to not overtax the heart, but regular exercise should still be part of your dog’s routine. If your vet thinks there’s time and your dog is a Doberman, think about enrolling him or her in the Holter Monitor project. It may not help your own dog, but this research will help other Dobes in future.
Take lots of pictures, give lots of hugs and love your dog for the length of time you have left together. Sadly, there’s no cure yet.
July 4th, 2011 - 12:14 am
This is a great page on Cardiomyopathy awareness. Thank You for writing it. Mya and our last dob both passed from this problem. We will always rember them and they are in our hearts forever.
Thanks again
Wendy Leason
July 4th, 2011 - 2:00 pm
Thank you. I can only hope that a cure or way of managing this disease is found. Or, even easier maybe, that it will be bred out of existence by people knowing and paying attention to the genetic history of any dog they plan to breed, especially in Dobermans and other breeds known to carry it. You’ve had to deal with it twice and that’s truly heartbreaking.