DCM is more common in large breed dogs with a few exceptions such as Cocker Spaniels and Dalmatians. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that results in weakened contractions and poor pumping ability. This offers the duel benefits of feeding your dog a product which does not contain problematic and potentially unhealthy ingredients such as potato starch, but also allows you to introduce important substances such as taurine. Veterinary cardiologists began observing an increase in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, often occurring in breeds that are not typically predisposed to the disease. Cardiac dilatation may also present with an arrhythmia, most commonly atrial fibrillation, but the histopathological findings include myocytes that are thinner than normal with a wavy appearance that are separated by a clear space, indicating edematous fluid that is generally free from cellular infiltrates; there may also be diffuse infiltration of subendocardial fibrosis. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common disease in some large bred dogs, in which the disease leads to increased mortality. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common heart diseases observed in medium and large-breed dogs. DCM is a disease of a dog’s heart muscle and results in an enlarged heart. Histopathological characterization of dogs with DCM has shown that there are two histopathological phenotypes that presumably precipitates different clinical presentations. A variety of medications may be prescribed, such as: Moderately to severely symptomatic dogs should preferably be hospitalized and subject to intensive therapy that includes: minimizing stress, absolute rest, oxygen supplementation, intravenous injections of furosemide at a comparably high dose (initially 2-6 mg/kg, and then 2-3 mg/kg q1-2 h until pulmonary edema has improved). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of pimobendan in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. Treatment of DCM is aimed at both improving the heart’s function and controlling the signs of congestive heart failure. In the most severe cases, some dogs may survive only weeks to a few months. This test is primarily used to detect arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Evidence of ventricular arrhythmia precedes echocardiographic evidence of DCM in the Doberman by some months or even years. Put simply, DCM occurs when a dog’s heart becomes enlarged, and can no longer function properly. Large breeds of dogs are most often affected, although DCM also occurs in some smaller breeds such as cocker spaniels. Most dogs with DCM show no signs of illness until the disease becomes advanced. With DCM, both the upper and lower chambers of the heart become enlarged, with one side being more severely affected than the other. For the asymptomatic patient, the challenge lies in differentiating normal variation and cardiac or non-cardiac pathologies from DCM. The FDA opened an investigation to research the increase of DCM in dogs. The first thing is to feed your dog a top quality, vital, raw, whole food diet.Add in blueberries (or supplement with something like blueberries or açai that contains lots of anthocyanins).. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is prevalent in certain breeds of dog and is rare in cross breeds. Dilated cardiomyopathy: an update. Treatment of DCM is directed at improving systolic (pump) function of the heart, dilating the peripheral blood vessels to decrease ventricular workload, eliminating pulmonary congestion if present, and controlling heart rate and cardiac arrhythmias if present. Vet J 2001;162(3):182-195. Pimobendan helps the heart beat more strongly and dilates blood vessels (allowing blood to flow through the body more easily). Treatment & Aftercare Treatment is tailored based on clinical presentation of each individual patient. Chronic medical therapy includes diuretic therapy (furosemide) at a dose of 1-4 mg/kg q8-24h. The nutrient scientists are looking into now is taurine. There are a few different treatment plans that a veterinarian might use to help alleviate the dog’s DCM symptoms. Diskospondylitis (Intervertebral Disk Infection) in Dogs and Cats ... Snake Bite Prevention and Treatment for Dogs. The prognosis for dogs with DCM varies depending on breed and how advanced the condition is at diagnosis. Part II: pathophysiology and therapy. Caution should be used when introducing an antiarrhythmic drug with negative inotropic actions (such as beta-blockers) in a dog with a hypocontractile heart or in a dog with fluid retention (heart failure). Treatment for DCM in Dogs. DCM is defined as a primary myocardial disease characterized by cardiac enlargement and impaired systolic function in the absence of other cardiac or non-cardiac causes. 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