Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle in which it becomes progressively weaker and enlarged. The disorder is a particularly insidious, usually fatal, disease to the Doberman. According to an article by C. David McLaughlin, D.V.M., posted on the DPFA website, Dobermans are affected with DCM more than all the other breeds combined. Additionally, N. Sydney Moise, D.V.M., professor of medicine at Cornell University, reports that more than 50 percent of all Dobermans have DCM.
In Dobermans, early onset of the disease generally occurs between the ages of 2 to 5 years. During early stages, no clinical signs are present and the disease can only be identified through an echocardiogram or a Holter monitor (24-hour heart monitor) electrocardiogram (EKG) evaluation. As the disease progresses, the heart becomes weaker until the dog goes into severe congestive heart failure. Clinical signs of heart failure, which often appear suddenly, include rapid or troubled breathing, coughing, heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), distended abdomen, fainting or sudden death. Definitive diagnosis of heart failure is made via radiographs (X-rays), echocardiogram and ultrasound. Heart failure due to DCM usually occurs in male Dobermans between the ages of 5 and 8 years and in female Dobermans between 9 and 12 years of age, according to Mark D. Kittleson, D.V.M., professor and noted researcher at the University of California, Davis.
Prognosis is poor: Once clinical signs appear, Dobes usually die within one to six months. Treatment, generally consisting of ACE inhibitors, furosemide and digoxin, may lessen symptoms but may or may not increase longevity.
Because this disease is so prevalent in the Dobe population, breeders and owners are encouraged to have routine EKGs performed annually beginning when the dog is about 2 years old. Early detection and treatment may increase the quality and quantity of life and can also help breeders make judicious breeding decisions when selecting breeding candidates.
Throughout the years, numerous research projects at various institutions have been undertaken to investigate the underlying causes, mechanics and the genetics of the disease. One of those projects, co-sponsored by the DPFA, is to identify the chromosomal location of the gene for Doberman Pinscher DCM; this project is being researched at Michigan State University.
