Cardiomyopathy

What is Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy basically means “cardiac failure”. Typically, there are two forms of this disorder:

1. Hypertrophic-Cardiomyopathy: with this type the walls located in each chamber of the heart begin to thicken. As a result, it becomes difficult for the heart to adequately pump blood throughout the body (uncommon in dogs).


2. Dilated-Cardiomyopathy (DCM): with this type, actual chambers begin to enlarge and the walls of the heart stretch thin. As a result, the heart cannot thoroughly pump blood throughout the body causing congestive heart failure (common in dogs).

Symptoms

Unfortunately, this disorder does not typically show any symptoms until the later stages of the disease. Generally, the dog may have cough or pant during sleep. They tire easily and eat less. There belly may also enlarge due to a build up of fluid within the liver and abdomen. Their gums seem to take on a grayish coloring as opposed to pink. Once this disorder is diagnosed, most dogs do not survive much further than a year.

Causes

A common cause is damage to the valves which control the blood flow in the heart. This is more typical of dogs older than five years of age. This disease is also hereditary and normally passed on from the parents.

Treatments and Prevention

This disease is commonly treated with a variety of medications. Certain groupings of these drugs include:

• Positive Inotropic Agents: increase the concentration of calcium in the heart muscle cells


• Diuretics: remove fluid from the lungs and abdomen


• ACE Inhibitors: helps decrease specific chemicals that tighten blood vessels which helps the heart pump blood more efficiently

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Cardiomyopathy