Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a progressive heart muscle disease in large dogs causing cardiac failure, and early detection through regular cardiac monitoring significantly extends quality and length of life.
DCM causes progressive welfare deterioration as cardiac function declines — from reduced exercise tolerance in early stages to respiratory distress from pulmonary oedema in congestive heart failure. Sudden death from arrhythmia represents an acute welfare event that can be partially predicted and managed through Holter monitoring. The evidence that starting pimobendan during occult DCM extends the time before heart failure onset provides a clear welfare benefit from proactive screening — identifying affected dogs early and treating before symptoms appear significantly extends their comfortable, active lives. Annual cardiac screening programmes for predisposed breeds are increasingly available through veterinary cardiologists and breed health schemes.