Details
Malcolm
Dupries details the condition of Cardiomyopathy below:
“Cardiomyopathy
is a term used to describe a condition which occurs to the heart muscle, when
one or more diseases cause inflammation and scarring. This inflammation
and scarring causes an enlargement of the heart itself, and the chambers within
the heart dilate and become less efficient in supplying the body and organs with
blood. The end result of a dog suffering from this condition is that the
heart muscle will eventually weaken and the dog will develop congestive heart
failure, and will die.
The articles that the author used in researching this
condition stated that the reason dogs develop this condition is unknown, but
assumed to be genetic. Exactly how it is inherited is not yet documented,
however, the disease appears to be very breed specific. There are some mixed
breeds of dogs that have been diagnosed with this condition, but it is extremely
rare. The breeds of dog that have documented histories of cardiomyopathy
are: Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherd Dogs,
Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Saint Bernards.
Doberman Pinschers have been most often used in the
medical research on this condition. It is important to realise that a dog
does not react to illnesses like a human will. The clinical signs of a dog
suffering from cardiomyopathy do not appear over a long period of time.
The signs often appear over a few days, when in reality, the disease starts at
an early age, between two and five years of age. Researchers have
discovered that male dogs are asymtomatic until the disease becomes severe,
sometime between five and eight years of age. Female dogs are often
asymtomatic until they are between nine and twelve years of age. Once the
clinical signs appear the dog may already be in the stage of severe heart
failure.
The following symptoms may indicate a developing heart
problem. They could also indicate other conditions as well, only a visit
to the dog’s veterinarian for examination can determine what exactly the
problem may be. The symptoms can occur with surprising rapidity, making
the involvement with a veterinarian imperative as this condition is
life-threatening.
Observe your animal for unexplained lethargy, weight
loss, cough, exercise intolerance, and shortness of breath. Cardiac
arrhythmias may cause fainting. If your dog is showing one or more of
these problems, get him/her to a veterinarian.”
