SHEET Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
Health info sheet
Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
The
dilated cardiomyopathy
(CMD) in dogs is a syndrome which can have multiple origins and which leads to poor functioning of the heart muscle accompanied by dilatation of the heart.
It represents the second cardiac pathology encountered in dogs after degenerative mitral disease. It preferentially affects large breed or giant breed dogs (Doberman, Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, Boxer, Rottweiler, etc.). The American Cocker Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel can also be affected.
It represents the second cardiac pathology encountered in dogs after degenerative mitral disease. It preferentially affects large breed or giant breed dogs (Doberman, Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, Boxer, Rottweiler, etc.). The American Cocker Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel can also be affected.
The average age of onset of symptoms is 5 to 10 years. Cardiac dilation leads to decreased blood flow with fatigue on exertion, weight loss, difficulty breathing, sometimes coughing, fluid in the abdomen, syncope, sometimes shock and sudden death. Clinical signs may appear late in relation to the onset of cardiac dilation.
Diagnosis is based on heart and lung auscultation (sometimes presence of a heart murmur, abnormal lung sounds in case of edema, arrhythmias) and additional examinations.
Diagnosis is based on heart and lung auscultation (sometimes presence of a heart murmur, abnormal lung sounds in case of edema, arrhythmias) and additional examinations.
Cliches x-rays
of the thorax and abdomen may show a change in the cardiac silhouette, the presence of bronchial edema, an increase in the size of the liver, the presence of fluid in the abdomen.
L'electrocardiogram can detect heart rhythm disturbances associated with heart disease.
L'electrocardiogram can detect heart rhythm disturbances associated with heart disease.
L'echocardiography
reveals the thinning of the ventricular walls as well as the decrease in the decrease in the movements of the walls. It can sometimes detect DMC before the appearance of clinical signs. The measurement of a parameter, the fraction of shortening, and its evolution over time has an important prognostic value.
The prognosis varies depending on the origin of the heart disease, but in general it is quite poor. The lifespan is a few months to 2 years in the best case.
The treatment does not allow the recovery of the animal. It aims to strengthen heart contractions, reduce signs of heart failure (diuretics, ACEI) and treat heart rhythm disorders.
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