Congestive heart failure in dogs
Idiopathic DCM is most common in large and giant breeds of dogs, including Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, Saint Bernards, Scottish Deerhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Afghan Hounds, and Dalmatians. Among smaller breeds, English and American Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, and others are affected, but the disease is rare in dogs weighing less than 25 lbs.
The prevalence of DCM increases with age, although most dogs presenting with heart failure are 4 to 10 years old. Most reports indicate that more male than female dogs are affected. Others suggest no gender predilection in Boxers and Doberman Pinschers once dogs with occult disease are included in the analysis. The nature of the cardiomyopathy in Boxers and Dobermans appears to be somewhat different from that in other large and giant breeds.
Clinical signs mat develop rapidly, especially in sedentary dogs in which ordinarily early signs may not be noticed until the disease is advanced. Presenting complaints include any or all of the following: weakness, lethargy, tachypnea or dyspnea, exercise intolerance, cough (sometimes described as ”gagging”, anorexia, abdominal distention (ascites), and syncope.
Loss of muscle mass (cardiac cachexia), accentuated along the dorsal midline, may be severe. Conversely, subclinical DCM is now being recognized more frequently, especially through the use of echocardiography. Some giant-breed dogs with mild-to-moderate left ventricular dysfunction are relatively asymptomatic, even in the presence of atrial fibrillation.
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
The prevalence of DCM increases with age, although most dogs presenting with heart failure are 4 to 10 years old. Most reports indicate that more male than female dogs are affected. Others suggest no gender predilection in Boxers and Doberman Pinschers once dogs with occult disease are included in the analysis. The nature of the cardiomyopathy in Boxers and Dobermans appears to be somewhat different from that in other large and giant breeds.
Clinical signs mat develop rapidly, especially in sedentary dogs in which ordinarily early signs may not be noticed until the disease is advanced. Presenting complaints include any or all of the following: weakness, lethargy, tachypnea or dyspnea, exercise intolerance, cough (sometimes described as ”gagging”, anorexia, abdominal distention (ascites), and syncope.
Loss of muscle mass (cardiac cachexia), accentuated along the dorsal midline, may be severe. Conversely, subclinical DCM is now being recognized more frequently, especially through the use of echocardiography. Some giant-breed dogs with mild-to-moderate left ventricular dysfunction are relatively asymptomatic, even in the presence of atrial fibrillation.
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
MORE VETERINARY ARTICLES
-
Diet is a cause of acute moist dermatitis - Feeding a diet that is energy dense or high in protein has been blamed as a cause of acute moist...
-
The same general mechanisms that cause edema elsewhere in the body cause edema in the pulmonary parenchyma. Major mechanisms are decreased ...
-
Clinical signs of acute renal failure symptoms (ARF) are often nonspecific and include lethargy, depression, anorexia, vomiting , diarrhea...
-
Domestication of cats and dogs was probably influenced by the enticement of food. Formation of a mutually beneficial association between Egy...
-
Urethral Obstruction in Dogs | Canine Urethral Obstruction In animals with anatomic urethral obstruction , the size and nature of the lesio...
-
Dog Allergies | Allergies in Dogs Allergies in dogs are basically an immune system overreaction. The nasal cavity is an uncommon primary...
-
Stimuli from the environment are registered by the senses and transmitted to the brain. Sensory perceptions can be of a different nature. Th...
-
It is always preferred to prevent rather than treat infections in dogs and cats . Consequently, avoiding exposure is the most effective way ...
-
Symptoms of dog stroke Dog stroke symptoms occur when heat production or input exceeds heat output so body temperature rises to dangerous...
-
Signs of cat in heat . The expression " cat in heat " is used by owners to describe the summation of pro-oestrus and oestrus . T...