I believe Dr. O'Grady's work in this area began in the spring of 1989, in response to the persistence of Rhonie Horne who had lost two beloved Dobes to Cardio. Rhonie continues to work with Dr. O'Grady today and is a driving force behind this study, a shoulder to cry on when we need it, a prick in the conscience if we aren't doing enough, and a very special person.
Since then over 600 Dobermans have been involved in his studies.
Many have been examined several times over a period of years. Some of the data on each Dobe include:
Blood samples (and heart muscle biopsy on euthanized Dobes)
Ultrasound studying fractional shortening and heart chamber size plus valve assessment.
Routine ECG including about 30 minutes of rhythm strip.
Physical Exam for Chest sounds, heart murmurs.
X-ray when indicated.
In 1991 a leading drug company asked for dogs of all breeds who had Cardiomyopathy, which is the 2nd most common heart problem in both dogs and people. This study included 1 Canadian Vet College (Guelph) and 17 U.S. Veterinary Colleges. The Following statistic showed up. Of the TOTAL numbers of dogs seen:
55.5% were Doberman Pinschers
7.1% were Great Danes
5.7% German Shepherds
5.7% Labs
4.3% Irish Wolfhounds
It would appear that our breed has the market on this disease and Dr. O'Grady did feel that this would indicate that the cause is genetic.
In June of 1994 a study was done using a select group of 103 Dobermans who initially were presented as normal healthy Dobermans according to their owners. These were dogs who presented NO outward signs or symptoms of heart disease. 50 were male, 53 were female, age ranged from 4 months to 124 months (10+years).
Of these otherwise healthy dogs, 15 were found to have one or more abnormal beats (electrical instability) on the initial examination. (This a symptom not a cause of the disease.) In follow up, all 15 of these dogs went on to develop DCM. In the two year follow up study a total of 29 dogs developed the disease.
Of the original 15 dogs to display abnormal beats:
7 died of "sudden death"
6 were euthanized
2 died before euthanasia.
All of this took place within 11 months.
13 of the dogs showed abnormal size of the heart when empty (some of these dogs were also in the group that showed abnormal beats) Of these 13:
5 died of sudden death
5 were euthanized when their symptoms became untenable for the owners &/or the dog
2 died of cardio before euthanasia
1 was still alive after 2 years
15 of the dogs displayed abnormally large heart size when measured full(again a dog may be in one or more groups here)> Of the 15, 13 went on to develop DCM in the 2 year period studied.
So it would appear that there are markers to tell us if our dog is developing DCM, i.e.:
Abnormal beats
Abnormal (large) heart size (as compared to other Dobes)
However lack of these markers does NOT mean your Dobe will not get DCM! There appears to be a possible 2 year predictability window.
This was only for a two yar period, of the remaining 74 dogs, followed for another 2 year period 17 more dogs developed markers and presumably went on to develop DCM. This brings to a total of 44.7% of the original 103 Dobes who had Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Given more time this number could go higher!
Dr.O'Grady warns that saying it is acceptable for a 12 to 14 year old dog to get the disease is not an acceptable premise. An old or aging heart does not lead to DCM. While it is easier to accept the death at this age it is not okay in terms of Breeding Stock!
On autopsy these dogs are found to have a heart two times as heavy as a normal heart, holding a volume of 4 times as much blood.
Can we avoid or delay this disease? At this point, avoid, no. A search is on for a genetic marker, which Dr. O'Grady feels may well be found in the next 2 to 3 years.
In the meantime, work with Angiotensin Carrying Enzymes (Ace Inibitors) indicate that if they are given before the symptoms appear they may help in some instances.
In 72 Dobes free of symptoms according to the owners, but found to have markers (big heart, aberrant beats) 41 Dobes were given the drug, (29 males, 12 females). 31 Dobes were not put on medications (18 Males, 13 Females). The ages of these dogs ranged from 2.6 to 7 years of age.
Those dogs who received NO medication lived 288 days on the average (240 days for females -325 days for males):
2 dogs were still alive at the end of the 2 years
5 dogs were euthanized for reasons other than DCM, IE: cancer, accident, etc.
42% died of sudden death
Those dogs put on Ace inhibitors lived 414 days average (250 days for females - 480 days for males)
12 dogs were still alive at the end of the study
3 dogs were euthanized for other illness
15% died of sudden death
This study pointed up some perplexing facts, mainly that Males do better with or without the drug than Females. It is not known why at this time or whether there is a corresponding event in humans. However the drug does help protect against sudden death in both males and females and delays the onset of death in the disease.
Further studies are anticipated, IE: neutered vs unneutered males. Also a search for earlier markers to get the dogs on medication even earlier.
Dr. O'Grady is looking at the effects of Beta Blockers which look interesting, however very expensive, and Antiarrythmics which will not prevent the disease from progressing however, may cut down sudden death episodes.
Over the years Dr.O'Grady has looked at such things as:
Taurine Deficiency: This was not studied at Guelph however, many studies in this area have been done (the largest in California) which indicated that while Taurine Deficiency was a factor in heart disease in Cocker Spaniels and Goldens it is not indicated as a factor in Dobermans.
Pedigrees: While a great many pedigrees have been gathered on the dogs studied at Guelph, No information has been correlated from them at this time. A great many were forwarded to Texas A&M for the study taking place there. The Comment from that area was "It is Everywhere".
Viruses: While parvo can cause heart disease in puppies (of all breeds) there is no evidence at this time to suggest it has any bearing in DCM in Dobes.
Immunologic Causes: The early answer is NO. A large study done in England concurs with this.
Studies are also taking place in the area of Batista procedure, and implanting pacemakers.
Blood and Heart Tissue samples from Dobes collected at Guelph have been shipped to other Universities and labs all over the world. The group of Doberman owners taking part in the Heart Study at Guelph have proven to be a very dedicated and committed group, consisting mainly of pet owners, with a small group of concerned breeders taking part. No other group has remained as committed in terms of money and time. Other breeds have asked for similar studies only to give up very soon when they realized that:
1. They couldnt fix the problem in a hurry
2. They were told they shouldn't be using some top winning show dogs for breeding.
Some Doberman "breeders" continue to lie to their prospective puppy buyers; Some saying they are in the program, when they either have never been or they brought in one dog 5 years ago. A breeder in Ontario puts out a brochure that their dogs are in the program, Dr.O'Grady has "Never seen them". Other breeders claim not to have DCM in their lines, while people who have bought dogs from them over the years, are bringing these dogs in with cardio. My own thought is that there is a special place in Hell for these people!
Larralyn McKay
Ambermark (Perm_Reg'd Dobermans)
Member-Greater Metro Doberman Fanciers
