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== Introduction  ==

== Introduction  ==

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

This disease is the most '''common''' form of cardiomyopathy in dogs.  

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) is characterized by progressive '''systolic dysfunction''' (loss of myocardial contractile function) and '''ventricular dilation''' (eccentric hypertrophy).

==Signalment==

==Signalment==