Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rare heart disease in dogs. It occurs when the muscular walls of the heart thicken and become stiff. As a consequence, blood circulation is diminished, since the heart cannot pump enough blood during systole and does not receive enough blood during diastole. This cardiomyopathy usually leads to congestive heart failure.
If your dog suffers from this disease, it is essential that you go to a veterinarian as soon as possible so that he can offer you a diagnosis and start treatment relevant.
If you need more information, in an article on our site we will give you a general overview of what you need to know about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs - Symptoms and treatment.
Causes, risk factors and symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs
To begin with it is essential to know that the causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs are unknown. However, it is thought that it may be related to genetics because it occurs this way in humans and other animals.
Dogs Young males and puppies are more prone to this cardiomyopathy. The disease has also been reported more frequently in the following breeds: Boston Terrier, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler. However, it should be clarified that this is not a high incidence, since this disease is rare in dogs. Most dogs with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have no symptoms. However, when they do have symptoms, they are:
- Exaggerated shaking
- Accelerated breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Frequent Panting
- Heart murmur
- Arrhythmia
- Pulmonary edema
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite.
- Exercise intolerance
- Vomiting
- Fainting with intense exercise
Diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs
Diagnosis of canine hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is difficult because there are often no symptoms and because when they do exist they are very similar to those of other heart disease. The initial tests are auscultation and physical examination. EKGs, X-rays, or echocardiograms may then be done, as determined by the veterinarian.
X-rays may show the presence of pulmonary edema and enlargement of the ventricle in some cases, but in many cases they do not provide useful information. Similarly, electrocardiograms are helpful in detecting arrhythmias, but not all dogs with hypertrophic cardiomyopathies have arrhythmias.
The only reliable test to diagnose this disease is echocardiography, or ultrasound of the heart. Unfortunately, it is not available in all veterinary centers, so the diagnosis is often made by ruling out other similar conditions.
Treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs
Treatment for dogs without symptoms is to restrict exercise and maintain a diet low in sodium Generally these dogs do not need further treatment, although they do need regular veterinary check-ups to control the disease.
Dogs that already have symptoms are in a more advanced stage of the disease and, in addition to the care mentioned, may require different medicationsfor your treatment. Diuretics are generally used to reduce fluid accumulation, medications to regulate heart contractions in dogs with arrhythmias, and vasodilators. The medications to be used, as well as the doses, depend on each case and should only be prescribed by the veterinarian.
The prognosis is good for dogs without symptoms. However, the prognosis for symptomatic dogs will depend on how advanced the disease is. For the latter, the prognosis is often unfavourable.
Prevention of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs
There is no way to prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in dogs, since the specific causes and factors that favor its appearance are unknown. Maintaining a he althy lifestyle, not forcing your dog to do excessive exercise and avoiding human food that dogs cannot eat are some useful tips that we can follow. Evidently in the event of any symptoms of discomfort, it is important to go to the vet.
