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Also called congestive cardiomyopathy, this disease is common in dogs and is rare in cats (with adequate taurine supplementation). In the dog, giant and large breeds (e.g. Dobermann pinscher, Boxer, Great Dane) are most at risk.&nbsp; Male&gt;Females and risk increases with age. In the cat the most commonly effected breeds are the Siamese, Burmese, Abyssinian. Again Male&gt;Female and middle age &amp; old age cats aremost at risk.<br>

This disease is '''common in dogs''' and is rare in cats (with adequate taurine supplementation).  

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when there is a progressive reduction in systolic myocardial contractility. Decreased myocardial contractility affects the removal of blood from the ventricle at systole. A larger volume of blood increases the end diastolic pressures causing dilation of the ventricle and the development of eccentric hypertrophy.  

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when there is a progressive reduction in systolic myocardial contractility. Decreased myocardial contractility affects the removal of blood from the ventricle at systole. A larger volume of blood increases the end diastolic pressures causing dilation of the ventricle and the development of '''eccentric hypertrophy'''.  

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In the dog, giant and large breeds (e.g. Dobermann Pinscher, Boxer, Great Dane) are most at risk. Male > Females and risk increases with age.

 

== Clinical Signs<br> ==

== Clinical Signs ==

Can be aAsymptomatic (Occult) DCM: See in predisposed breeds (e.g. Doberman pinschers).&nbsp;

Can be asymptomatic (Occult) DCM: Seen in predisposed breeds (e.g. Doberman Pinschers).  

Clinical signs include syncope, weight loss, dyspnoea, lethargy, weakness and hindlimb paresis (cats with saddle thrombi).  

Clinical signs include syncope, weight loss, dyspnoea, lethargy, weakness and hindlimb paresis (cats with saddle thrombi).  

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== Diagnosis<br> ==

== Diagnosis ==

History and clinical signs suggest heart failure.<br>

History and clinical signs suggest [[:Catgory:Hart Failur|heart failure]].

Physical examination will show presence of a systolic murmour, a gallop rhythm, S3 heart sound, arrhythmias, pulse deficits and pulmonary crackles.  

Physical examination will show presence of a systolic murmur, a gallop rhythm, S3 heart sound, arrhythmias, pulse deficits and pulmonary crackles.  

Blood tests will shos azotemia, elevated liver enzymes (+ Liver Congestion), signs of congestive heart failure, signs of thromboembolism (cats) and plasma taurine reduction (cats).

Blood tests will show [[azotemia]], elevated liver enzymes (+ liver congestion), signs of congestive heart failure, signs of [[thromboembolism]] (cats) and plasma taurine reduction (cats).

Radiography will show left ventricular hypertrophy (Seen in Dobermans &amp; Boxers), left atrial enlargement (Seen in Dobermans &amp; Boxers). generalised cardiomegaly (Seen in Giant Breeds), left sided congestive heart failure signs e.g. pulmonary congestion &amp; edema and right sided congestive heart failure signs e.g. pleural effusion and ascites.<br>

Radiography will show left ventricular hypertrophy (seen in Dobermans & Boxers), left atrial enlargement (seen in Dobermans & Boxers), generalised cardiomegaly (seen in giant breeds), [[Hart Failure, Left-Sided|left sided congestive heart failure]] signs e.g. pulmonary congestion & edema and [[Heart Failur, Right-Sided|right sided congestive heart failure]] signs e.g. pleural effusion and ascites.

Electrocardiography (ECG) will show rhythm disturbances e.g. atrial fibrillation (Giant Breeds), ventricular arrhythmias (Doberman pinchers, Boxers), conduciton disturbances and characteristic signs of hypertrophy.

Electrocardiography (ECG) will show rhythm disturbances e.g. [[Atrila Fibrillation|atrial fibrillation]] (giant breeds), ventricular arrhythmias (Doberman Pinchers, Boxers), conduction disturbances and characteristic signs of hypertrophy.

Echocardiography will show a hypokinetic left ventricle (i.e. reduced fractional shortening therefore reduced contractility), reduced ejection fraction (i.e.&nbsp;% end diastolic volume ejected at systole). decreased ventricular wall thickness, left atrial enlargement and mitral regurgitation.

Echocardiography will show a hypokinetic left ventricle (i.e. reduced fractional shortening therefore reduced contractility), reduced ejection fraction (i.e. % end diastolic volume ejected at systole), decreased ventricular wall thickness, left atrial enlargement and mitral regurgitation.

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== Treatment and Control<br> ==

== Treatment and Control ==

Treat congestive heart failure (Reduce Preload &amp; Afterload; Improve Systolic Function; Control Cardiac Arrhythmias), therapeutic thoracocentesis (To remove pleural effusion in cats) and taurine supplementation (cats).

Treat congestive heart failure (reduce preload & afterload; improve systolic function; control cardiac arrhythmias), therapeutic thoracocentesis (to remove pleural effusion in cats) and taurine supplementation (cats).

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== Prognosis ==

== Prognosis ==

'''Dogs; '''Poor: Most breeds survive 6-12 monthsand in Dobermans and Boxers the prognosis is grave.  

'''Dogs: '''

 

Poor: Most breeds survive 6-12 months and in Dobermans and Boxers the prognosis is grave.  

'''Cats;&nbsp; '''Good: When cardiomyopathy results from taurine deficiency, but grave if other causes of cardiomyopathyFrom Pathology

'''Cats: '''

 

Good: When cardiomyopathy results from taurine deficiency, but grave in other causes of cardiomyopathy.

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[[Category:Cardiomyopathy]] [[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Cardiomyopathy]] [[Category:Expert_Review]]