Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a word formed from the roots, cardio, myo, and path/y. These roots mean heart, muscle, and disease respectively, and that's precisely what the condition is: a disease affecting the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy involves the thickening or hardening of the heart's walls, and even enlargement of them, all of which leads to the heart weakening. When the heart can no longer pump blood as effectively, a host of problems can manifest, including heart failure. Symptoms of cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling, as well as dizziness, fainting, and a heart murmur. Cardiomyopathy isn’t a diagnosis limited to humans, either—it’s a condition that affects other species as well, including our canine and feline family members.
When considering heart conditions in dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy specifically is important to know about as it is the most common cause of heart failure in large breeds such as Great Danes and Boxers. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart’s degeneration is characterized by blood pressure stretching and thereby thinning the heart’s walls. This is a type of cardiomyopathy that results in an enlarged heart. Dilated cardiomyopathy may have a sudden onset of clinical signs. Some dogs may develop severe heart failure in only a few hours. Rapid, heavy breathing, a blue tongue, excessive drooling or collapse may be the first signs.
Cats experience cardiomyopathy at considerably lower rates than they used to thanks to taurine supplements in their food. Nonetheless, certain cat breeds such as the Burmese and Siamese, remain prone to it, so preventive screening is highly recommended.
Tests used to diagnose cardiomyopathy include auscultation (listening to the heart with a stethoscope). Blood and urine tests are often performed alongside auscultation because liver and kidney function can be impaired with heart disease. Chest radiographs allow veterinarians to examine the lungs and measure the size and shape of the heart. Dilated cardiomyopathy usually causes obvious enlargement of the heart, particularly the left side. Electrocardiograms help veterinarians to assess the electrical activity of the heart, and echocardiograms (ultrasounds of the heart), give the most accurate determination of each heart chamber’s size and thickness of the heart walls. Measurements of the heart contractions can be taken to evaluate the heart’s pumping efficiency. A combination of several of the above tests may be necessary or recommended depending on your pet’s symptoms.
Treatment of cardiomyopathy in pets usually requires medication, including diuretics and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE-inhibitors work by lowering blood pressure and reducing resistance to blood flowing out of the heart. They are one of the most powerful and commonly used classes of drugs for heart disease in both humans and pets. ACE-inhibitors are the only drugs proven to extend life expectancy in both people and dogs. Enalapril and benazepril are commonly used ACE-inhibitors in dogs. Other kinds of medications may also be used, such as vasodilators. Regardless, the course of treatment your pet undergoes will be more aggressive the more severe their condition is. While cardiomyopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy particularly, are serious diseases, the good news is that most pets do well with treatment!
Should you have a pet already diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, check out our Wellness Plans. We developed them to help you save money while still staying vigilant about your pet’s health. If you have any concerns about your pet’s cardiac health regardless of previous diagnoses or a lack of them, don’t hesitate to call NOVA Pets at (703) 577-2141
