Hello, pet lovers! Dogs suffer from various health issues throughout their lives, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of them. It is a serious condition that starts with damage to the heart muscle, and later leads to loosed ability to pump blood effectively.
This condition can progress very fast and might lead to life-threatening consequences, so early detection is the key. And the best way to improve your dog’s life is by monitoring and being a responsible dog owner.
We understand that sometimes pet owners are too busy and unable to monitor constantly, but the good news is that there are many health tracking tools like Maven Pet, which can spot some of the earliest warning signs.
Let’s find out more about DCM in dogs!
What is DCM in Dogs?
In short, DCM weakens the heart muscle and makes it harder to pump blood. Then, there is an excess of blood in the heart, which causes increased pressure, and leads to thin heart muscle walls that stretch. This stretching leads to a large and dilated appearance, which is also where the name of this disease comes from.
Common Symptoms of DCM in Dogs
The symptoms of DCM in dogs depend on the health condition of the dog, breed, and stage of the disease. These are some of the most common signs in dogs with DCM:
- Appetite loss
- Pale gums
- Lethargy and weakness
- Difficult breathing and/or panting
- Coughing
- Abdominal fluid buildup
- Sudden collapse
In some dogs, sudden death or fainting might occur even without any visible signs. To detect at least some signs of heart disease in dogs, Maven can do a miracle as it provides the pets with 24/7 monitoring.
Causes and Risk Factors of DCM in Dogs
This disease can happen to any dog, no matter the age, breed, or sex, but some large and giant breeds are prone to this condition, including:
- Dobermans
- Boxers
- Great Danes
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Saint Bernards
- Newfoundlands
- Cocker Spaniels
There are 2 most common factors that might lead to this disease:
- Genetics
- Nutrition
About genetics, it is clear that some breeds are prone to it. But also dogs that are fed with grain-free diets that lack taurine and L-carnitine can develop DCM. Here is why these 2 amino acids are important:
- Taurine: Improves the heart muscle function in dogs that are not able to produce taurine by themselves.
- L-Carnitine: Helps in converting fat into energy.
However, this is NOT THE PRIMARY factor that leads to DCM.
Many pet parents feed their pets such diets, so monitoring pets is crucial. But we are not with our pets 24/7 to do that. That is where devices like the Maven Pet smart collar might help.
According to the FDA, the main problem with such diets is that they contain peas, lentils, chickpeas, and potatoes, instead of the traditional grains like rice or corn. Here are the main problems of these ingredients:
- They interfere with the absorption or production of taurine
- They can lead to nutrient imbalance or other metabolic effects
Diagnosis of DCM in Dogs
Dogs are usually diagnosed in 2 cases:
- During a screening exam: As part of a breeding program in breeds that are prone to this disease
- In case of visible clinical signs: When the dog has already shown certain signs of the disease.
The final diagnose is made with several tools that asses the heart function, including:
- Blood tests: May include serious parameters that will help in the treatment process of DCM.
- Auscultation: This is the first-line tool to hear the dog’s heart murmur, with which you will find out the intensity of it.
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound): This is the most accurate way to determine the heart muscle thickness and pumping ability (contraction).
- X-ray: This exam will show if the heart is enlarged (dilated) or if there is fluid in the lungs and/or stomach.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): An examination tool that detects abnormal heart rhythms, which are common in cases of DCM.
Treatment Options
Once your vet has determined the canine heart disease – DCM, here are the most common treatment options:
- Medications: We are not going to suggest any medications to avoid confusion in pet owners. The medications for your pet should be determined by your vet according to its current health condition.
- Dietary recommendations
- Taurine and L-Carnitine supplementation: These amino acids are especially beneficial for dogs that are fed grain-free diets.
- Balanced diets: Depending on the nutrients your dog is missing, the vet will recommend a diet that would avoid ingredient imbalances.
- Lifestyle adjustments
- Weight management: A healthy weight will decrease the chances of many diseases, not just DCM. Regularly visit you vet to check if your pet has a healthy weight.
- Activity monitoring: Consult with a vet and determine what is the best activity amount is for your dog based on its health condition, age, sex, and breed.
- Minimize stress: Find out what triggers your dog and remove the stress factors. This way, you will avoid any additional stress on the heart rhythm.
How Maven Pet Helps Detect Heart Health Issues Early
We understand that you might be scared for your dog, especially if you own some of those breeds that are at an increased risk for DCM. But don’t be scared, because early detection can make all the difference.
This pet smart collar will track your pet 24/7 and will detect any subtle signs of DCM before they become serious.
Maven Pet
Health Monitor
#1 Vet-recommended pet monitor! Tracks activity, rest, respiratory rate, water intake, scratching and other health indicators 24/7
For example, it will track the activity levels of the dog and will detect difficulty breathing or even panting. Increased respiratory rate can often indicate a risk for fluid buildup, so once you detect something unusual, your vet can continue the diagnosis and the treatment for your dog.
Other key alerts that Maven will give to you, which are related to DCM are:
- Decreased activity levels
- Changes in sleep quality
- Unusual behavior
- Decreased appetite
Even if your dog is already diagnosed with DCM, Maven can still help you increase the pet wellness. Let’s say your dog is overweight and has DCM. In that case, you will monitor the eating habits of your dog and will indirectly prevent weight gain.
Conclusion
Like any other disease, early detection and veterinary care are also the key to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. If you are unable to detect the subtle changes of DCM in dogs, Maven will do it for you.
With Maven Pet, you will stay proactive and will track your pet’s real-time health each day. Don’t rely just on your abilities to recognize changes in your dog – you can always stay ahead with Maven Pet!
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
