What are the symptoms of an enlarged heart in dogs?
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs can range from mild to severe as the condition progresses.
Often, it is very difficult to diagnose in its early stages. However, your vet may be able to detect subtle early signs of this condition in the course of a complete physical examination so it is important to bring your four-legged companion in for regular routine exams.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of an enlarged heart:
What is an enlarged heart in a dog? An enlarged heart in dogs (or Dilated Cardiomyopathy) is a serious condition which describes the expansion of the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) or, less commonly, its upper chamber (atria). A dog’s heart will expand in this way when it is unable to properly contract and push blood out from it and to the rest of the body. Blood accumulates in the heart and its pressure pushes at the outer walls and valves of the heart, expanding it and thinning its outer walls. When a dog’s heart is enlarged in this way, it becomes even more difficult for the pup to pump blood around its body and to the organs that need it. As this condition progresses, the dog’s organs, especially lungs and kidneys, will often begin to reduce in function. This progression is what makes dilated cardiomyopathy very serious.
An enlarged heart may appear in any dog age or breed, However, it is much more common in dogs between the ages of four and ten years old. While there is no definitive cause for dilated cardiomyopathy, there are a number of known factors which can contribute to its development in your pet. Nutritional deficiencies in carnitine and taurine have been proven to factor into the development of an enlarged heart in dogs. As well, other factors such as infectious diseases and genetics can contribute to this condition’s development. Some breeds of dog, especially large breeds, are known to be predisposed to developing the condition, they include:
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs can range from mild to severe as the condition progresses.
Often, it is very difficult to diagnose in its early stages. However, your vet may be able to detect subtle or hidden signs of this condition in the course of a complete physical examination. Because of this, it is very important to bring your four legged companion in for regular routine exams to provide as many opportunities as possible for your Matthews vet to uncover early signs of dilated cardiomyopathy.
The following are the some of the most common symptoms of an enlarged heart:
What DCM Does to a Dog’s Heart and Lungs?
In most cases of DCM in dogs, the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) become enlarged, though some cases also involve enlargement of the atria (upper heart chambers).
With DCM, the muscle wall of the heart becomes thinner, causing it to lose the ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.
As a result, fluid can accumulate in certain tissues, including the lungs.
If left untreated, the compromised heart muscle eventually becomes overwhelmed by the increased fluid volume, resulting in congestive heart failure (CHF).
Congestive Heart Failure & Enlarged Heart in Dogs
We made a video compilation of X-rays of an enlarged heart in dogs. These s were sent by our amazing Facebook followers.