Heart disease in giant breeds

If you are a happy owner of a dog that is hard to fit on a huge couch, then this article is for you.

Heart disease in giant breeds is quite common, but each breed has its own peculiarities of the course of the problem.
Pets over 6 years old suffer, usually due to age-related changes in the structure of the myocardium (heart muscle). The essence of the problem is a decrease in the heart's ability to pump blood (decrease in systolic function). As a consequence, dilation of all heart chambers and heart failure develops.

This condition is called dilated cardiomyopathy.

But some breeds of dogs have a genetic predisposition to developing this problem, which leads to early onset of symptoms. Such "unlucky" pets are: Doberman pinscher, German dog, Irish wolfhound, Newfoundland, boxer.

Veterinary cardiologists distinguish three stages of the disease:

1. the latent stage, or predisposition.

Dogs with the latent form of DCMP have no symptoms. With additional examination (ECG, ECHOCG), the doctor does not find any abnormalities, but there is a genetic mutation that will definitely lead to the manifestation of the disease in the future.

2- The asymptomatic stage.

At this stage, patients also have no symptoms, but according to echocardiography, changes in the anatomy of the heart can already be detected. On ECG, rhythm disturbances may occur.

It is this group of patients that benefits most if the owner regularly monitors the pet with a veterinary cardiologist. After all, a disease detected before the onset of symptoms can be slowed down and thus prolong the pet's life.

3. Myocardial dysfunction stage

Unfortunately, at this stage, symptoms of heart failure are already developing: rapid fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, weight loss, ascites. Treatment and close monitoring by a veterinary cardiologist is necessary.

It turns out that in heart disease, changes begin long before the first clinical signs appear. As a rule, when the owner notices the first symptoms, there is already a serious pathology that is difficult to treat.

DCMP is a disease with an extremely severe course and unfavorable prognosis, but modern drug treatment is quite effective in controlling symptoms. In addition, the earlier the pathology is detected and treatment is administered, the easier it is to control the progression of the disease.

The prognosis depends very much on the cause of the disease (age-related changes, genetic factors) and on the breed of the pet. The most unfavorable course is in dogs of Doberman Pinscher breed.

In these animals it is possible to have rapid development of symptoms already at the age of 3-4 years and death during physical activity.
But in general, other breeds of dogs can show positive results of treatment with adequately selected therapy and the average survival time is 1-2 years.

So, if you are a happy owner of a big happy dog, don't forget to have regular check-ups with a veterinary cardiologist who will be able to choose an appropriate prevention plan and prescribe treatment as early as possible.

With love for animals and their hearts, the cardiologists at VK Zoolux