DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in Dogs

Category
Heart
Inheritance
Multifactorial
Breeds documented
16
Published sources
5

Overview

With dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart enlarges and its muscle loses pumping strength. Dogs may appear healthy while these changes are developing. As it advances, congestive heart failure can develop, with fluid collecting in the lungs or belly. Some dogs also develop an irregular heartbeat that can cause episodes of collapse.

Signs to watch for

  • Breathing faster or working harder to breathe
  • Coughing
  • Weakness
  • Lower energy than usual
  • Weight loss
  • A swollen belly
  • Fainting or collapse

Most often seen in middle-aged or older dogs.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if a dog is struggling to breathe.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets use an echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan, to measure heart size and assess pumping strength. Chest X-rays can show heart enlargement or fluid in the lungs. An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the heart's electrical activity to check its rhythm. A wearable Holter monitor records an ECG over 24 hours. Vets may recommend screening for dogs at increased risk, even before signs appear.

Breeds with documented risk

16 breeds

By breed size
  • 3 Medium
  • 7 Large
  • 6 Giant

Most popular breeds on this list

All 16 breeds, A to Z

Inheritance

This condition has more than one known form, and different breeds inherit it in different ways. The sources list the form found in each breed.

  • Multifactorial

    Several genes and the environment together set the risk. Diet, growth rate, weight and exercise can all play a part. There is no single DNA test. Screening the parents (for example hip or elbow scores) and choosing from lines with good results lowers the risk, but does not remove it.

    As stated by OMIA

  • Autosomal recessive

    Portuguese Water Dog

    A dog is affected only if it inherits two copies of the gene variant, one from each parent. A dog with one copy is a carrier: usually healthy, but able to pass the variant on. When two carriers are bred, on average one puppy in four is affected. A DNA test can tell clear, carrier and at-risk dogs apart.

    As stated by OMIA

  • Autosomal dominant, incomplete penetrance

    Doberman Pinscher

    One copy can be enough, but not every dog with the variant develops the condition, and severity can vary. A DNA result shows risk, not certainty.

    As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Dilated cardiomyopathy: vet.cornell.edu
  2. merckvetmanual.com
  3. vet.tufts.edu
  4. Finnish Hound: ajokoirajarjesto.fi
  5. Giant Schnauzer: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov