DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY (DCM)

Intolerance to exercise

Coughing due to the build up of fluid in the lungs or enlargement of the heart

Shortness of breath

Weight loss

There is usually a long period of time where a dog has the heart changes caused by DCM, but they do not show clinical signs (pre-clinical disease). When examining the dog, a Vet may detect heart murmurs, a ‘racing’ heart rhythm and/or a rapid irregular heartbeat. On the other hand, a Vet may not detect pre-clinical DCM by stethoscope examination. The only way to be definitively sure as to the condition of a dog’s heart is to be referred for a heart ultrasound scan (echocardiogram) by a specialist Cardiologist.

DCM is generally considered as typically occurring in older Danes from 5 or 6 years upwards. Often after the age when dogs have been used at stud and bitches have had one or more litters. Another belief is it affects more dogs than bitches which could be due to the possible X-linked gene mutation where dogs are much more likely than bitches to develop disease. But may be the trend is changing as it appears there is a growing number of younger Danes showing signs of DCM or collapsing with ventricular arrhythmias leading to sudden death. There are also similar numbers of male and female dogs being diagnosed with the disease.

An unforeseen incident occurred and I was separated from Phoenix [and my other dogs] for a few days. I left them with a very knowledgeable Great Dane lady. She phoned to say she thought Phee 'wasn't right' so we agreed to take him to her vet. Again his heart was beating furiously and the beats couldn't be counted. He was given an anti biotic injection and again his heartbeat was put down to 'stress' because he was at the vet. Later that day Phoenix worsened and was taken back to the vet and almost immediately went into crisis. The vet did bloods and gave him a steroid injection. He also said Phoenix was presenting fluid in his abdomen for which he prescribed furosomide . This was the first time DCM had ever been mentioned as a possible diagnosis. I arrived the next day to a very ill and possibly dying Dane. He developed a cough very quickly and we couldn't move him for several days. I stayed with him 24/7.

Days later he attended a cardiologist and after several tests his diagnosis was DCM.

As you can see, and I'm not apportioning blame, he was taken to the vet several times and his heartbeat put down to stress. There was never a mention of the possibility that his weight loss and erratic heart beat could have been a predispostion of his DCM.

We must make Vets aware that DCM is always a possibility in Great Danes under the age of two years and a racing heart is not always 'stress’, nerves or vet phobia related.

Phoenix has now stabilised through medication and the very best of veterinary care....They gave him 6 months tops but because he's doing/presenting so well, they've requested a check up in six months...........

Sudden death can occur in very young Danes and puppies. There is no warning and very often the dog is relaxing and not doing any strenuous exercise at the time of death.

Buster’s owner had taken him on his usual daily run across the fields in the morning. He told me he was a very energetic young puppy and never seemed to tire. After lunch the owner was sitting watching TV with Buster lying across him. Suddenly Buster made an agonisingly howling noise and fell off his owner on to the floor. The Vet who was called to the house said Buster had died of a massive heart attack.

DCM often seems to strike the healthiest of dogs. Danes that appear to be well muscled from daily physical exercise. The type of dog that maintains correct weight, has a healthy appetite and never has a sick day. Healthy, strong and playful dogs that have a zest for life.

Flynn rarely had an off day and had been to the Vet for the removal of a small benign growth on his thigh at 7 months, examination of a split tail end when he was 2 years old and X rays for hip scoring at 18 months. A year before he had a full heart scan and his heart was normal. On the day he died Flynn was in hard physical condition and had been playing football with the owner and his family most of the morning. After lunch they went for a walk along the canal bank and were standing admiring the Kingfishers when Flynn suddenly collapsed. The owners thought Flynn had been stung by a wasp but they quickly realised he had died. His heart was extracted by the vet and sent to the LUPA Project. We are awaiting the results of the post mortem.

Pre-clinical signs of DCM often go undiagnosed by a Vet or never detected because owners consider their Danes are healthy and fit. There is no warning which is why the disease is referred to as the swift, silent killer or ‘heartbreak’ disease. It is important that breeding stock should be regularly examined for signs of heart disease from as young as 2 years old. Quite often dogs are mated and puppies bred before the disease is diagnosed. The research at Liverpool University is trying to find genetic markers which will identify dogs at risk of developing DCM and/or passing it on to their litters.