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| ==Signalment== | | ==Signalment== |
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− | Giant and large breeds are most at risk. Predisposed breeds include: Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Leonberger, St. Bernard, Dobermann Pinscher, Boxer, Dogue de Bordeaux and the Portuguese Water dog. | + | '''Giant and large breeds''' are most at risk. Predisposed breeds include: Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Leonberger, St. Bernard, Dobermann Pinscher, Boxer, Dogue de Bordeaux and the Portuguese Water dog. |
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| Prevalence increases with age and the typical age at diagnosis is 6-8 years. A severe juvenile form is recognized in the Portuguese Water dog. | | Prevalence increases with age and the typical age at diagnosis is 6-8 years. A severe juvenile form is recognized in the Portuguese Water dog. |
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| Asymptomatic (occult) phase | | Asymptomatic (occult) phase |
| + | * Physical examination may be unremarkable |
| * Soft, systolic heart murmur | | * Soft, systolic heart murmur |
| * Arrhythmia with pulse deficits | | * Arrhythmia with pulse deficits |
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| Changes on serum biochemistry analysis may include [[azotemia]], this is common in dogs receiving diuretic therapy and is usually pre-renal in nature. Electrolyte abnormalities, such as mild hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia, are also common in dogs with congestive heart failure. | | Changes on serum biochemistry analysis may include [[azotemia]], this is common in dogs receiving diuretic therapy and is usually pre-renal in nature. Electrolyte abnormalities, such as mild hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia, are also common in dogs with congestive heart failure. |
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| + | '''Cardiac biomarkers''', NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), may be helpful in detecting DCM. Troponin I may be elevated in cardiac disease and will also be elevated as a consequence of haemodynamically significant arrhythmias. Plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP may be elevated in pre-clinical disease and increase with severity. It is important to note that neither biomarker is specific to DCM and merely indicates the heart is under stress/stretch (NT-proBNP) or that there is damage to cardiomyocytes (cTnI). |
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− | Taurine deficiency may contribute to a DCM phenotype in the American Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. Most dogs with taurine-deficient DCM will have plasma taurine levels <25nmol/L. This is important to recognize, as in these cases cardiac function and prognosis can be substantially improved by taurine supplementation. | + | '''Taurine''' deficiency may contribute to a DCM phenotype in the American Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. Most dogs with taurine-deficient DCM will have plasma taurine levels <25nmol/L. This is important to recognize, as in these cases cardiac function and prognosis can be substantially improved by taurine supplementation. |
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