Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious heart condition in dogs that causes enlargement and weakened pumping function of the heart, leading to congestive heart failure if untreated.
The insidious onset of DCM means many dogs suffer progressive cardiac compromise before diagnosis, experiencing fatigue and breathlessness that owners may attribute to aging. Once congestive heart failure develops, fluid accumulation causes significant respiratory distress. Early detection through breed-specific screening — echocardiograms and Holter monitoring in predisposed breeds — can catch DCM before clinical signs appear, allowing earlier treatment. Medications including pimobendan, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics meaningfully improve comfort and extend survival. End-stage DCM requires careful monitoring for distress signs to guide timely end-of-life decisions. Breeders of predisposed breeds should test breeding animals and exclude affected individuals to reduce hereditary transmission.