Cardiomyopathy

[Richie]

Oso was just diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. He will be 8 years old in October.

Does anyone have any experience with this? My vet said he is not in any immediate danger and that it can be treated with medication but I'm still a nervous wreck.

Joann

 

[Blacknewfs]

Sorry to hear about this diagnosis. Medication is effective at managing this condition.

One thing to look at is his taurine levels -- some vets don't think to check that. Like cats, Newfs (and Cocker Spaniels) are two breeds that can end up with low taurine levels, which in turn can contribute to DCM. If his levels are low you can give taurine supplements, and of course, add extra fish to his diet.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I'd start him on taurine supplements regardless of what the levels are. I think some dogs need higher levels than others do. Taurine can be found in any meat...so adding meat to his diet if he is on kibble will give your taurine level a boost.

 

[Lori]

Sorry to hear about Oso. As Sandra said, DCM can be managed well with meds. Dont have dog experience with it, just human. My husband, his two brothers, his sister and now nephew all have it. They all take Coreg and meds for blood pressure. And taurine does help in dogs, Chance took it for many years and when he developed heart problems, the vet was surprised his heart wasnt enlarged. Good luck and big higs to Oso.

 

[Wayne A]

So sad but good that it's treatable.Give him a hug from me.

 

[ardeagold]

I'd also get him on Taurine supplements. There was a study done on Newfs with DCM and taurine deficiency was often the culprit. The dogs studied had been on a Lamb/Rice diet...without supplemental taurine. Most high quality dog foods now add taurine to the diets...especially the Lamb/Rice diets.

Here's a link to the study, so you can discuss it with your Cardio Vet (if you don't have one, I'd strongly suggest you get a referral from your Vet and take Oso for an exam). They can research it much more in depth and plan a treatment program for you. The heart is a Veterinary Cardiologists specialty. I wouldn't have my regular Vet treating it. I'd make sure to have someone who deals with this all the time and probably already knows about these studies, and the impact that supplementation and diet change can have.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14584742

Here's another link that goes into the addition of Taurine, and a diet change from Lamb to Chicken based diets. In these instances the DCM was improved.


http://publications.royalcanin.com/renvoie.asp?type=1&cid=123667&id=102492&com=3&animal=0&lang=2

4 dogs were assigned to receive a proprietary giant breed diet supplemented with taurine (1g/ 4000 Kcal ME) and 2 dogs had their diet changed from a lamb based diet to a chicken based diet. Echocardiography was repeated after 6 months of supplementation.

Results

The results of biochemical analyses of whole blood suggested that absorption of taurine and methionine and biosynthesis of taurine adequate, as changing dietary protein source or supplementation with methionine, low dose taurine or high dose taurine normalised whole blood taurine concentration. The results of urine taurine to creatinine ratios suggested that Newfoundland dogs did not have greater fractional excretion of taurine than other breeds.

The results of echocardiographic parameters showed a general improvement in left ventricular morphology and function after supplementation in dogs with occult and overt DCM. In dogs with overt DCM, there was a significant reduction in left ventricular internal diameter in diastole and E-point to septal separation (EPSS) and a significant increase in fractional shortening (FS) and the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening. In the dogs with occult DCM, the improvement in FS and EPSS was sufficient to bring these parameters into the normal range for Newfoundlands.

Sending good thoughts to you and Oso.

 

[R Taft]

I'd start him on taurine supplements regardless of what the levels are. I think some dogs need higher levels than others do. Taurine can be found in any meat...so adding meat to his diet if he is on kibble will give your taurine level a boost.

Ditto............Very sad to hear this. But there is a lot of supportive treatment to reduce symptoms. Donna's sites are interesting to read

 

[bauernicomom]

Hi, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. However, DCM can be managed very well with medication. One of my newfs was diagnosed with DCM. With medication Bauer lived a happy full life until the age of 11 when she passed away a year ago. The medication Bauer was on made her sleepy so with the vets permission I would give her 1/2 the dosage in the AM and the other 1/2 in late evening. That was the only side effect I saw in Bauer.

I know how scared you are. I was terrified and heartbroken when Bauer was diagnosed. She did very well on the heart medication for two years.

Best wishes,

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

I sorry hear about Oso's diagnosis. As other have said, Taurine can have a effect on DCM. Several years ago, the NCA had someone collect blood samples for reserach on Taurine.

 

[Richie]

Thank you all for your good wishes. The info is extremely helpful.

My vet sent Oso for a sonogram last week, which was read by a cardiologist, who made the diagnosis.

We are waiting for the cardiologist to read the results of an echocardiogram taken yesterday to determine what meds and what doses he should have.

Should he still see a separate cardiologist?

I will ask my vet about taurine.

Joann

 

[ardeagold]

I'd make the appt with the cardiologist and take him in unless your Vet works closely with him.

And, print out those studies for your Vet...and ask him to look up more info. That way he'll be up on what to do.

Thank you all for your good wishes. The info is extremely helpful.

My vet sent Oso for a sonogram last week, which was read by a cardiologist, who made the diagnosis.

We are waiting for the cardiologist to read the results of an echocardiogram taken yesterday to determine what meds and what doses he should have.

Should he still see a separate cardiologist?

I will ask my vet about taurine.

Joann

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

Who is the cardiologist? If you need a good I have 2 that I like but they are both in NJ. I think it is worth trip. Both have seen my dogs. Granted for puppy heart checks and adult checks but I know plenty of newfie breeders who use them for dogs with problems too.

Contact me privately if you want.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

I'm so sorry to hear about Oso. Just remember that this is something that can be managed, and he can still lead a good life.

Our Lucy was born without flaps on her tricuspid valve. The cardiologist did a color doppler, which showed the blood just swooshing back and forth through the hole. They told us that most dogs die by 2, and those that live to 2 are gone by 5. Lucy will be 6 in December, and still is full of herself.

I guess I'm saying, don't lose hope. Enjoy every single day and make it count. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow anyhow. Each day is a gift.

 

[Richie]

OK, I feel alot better. My vet returned my call and after answering my questions he mentioned Taurine supplements before I could bring it up.

He will start Oso on the supplements but wants to wait a week to see how Oso reacts to his meds.

He says we caught the condition really early.

I appreciate everyone's help with this. Thank you.