Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is an inherent disease that affects the heart. There are 2 kinds of Cardiomyopathy seen in dogs. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is when there is a dilation of the ventricles combined with slight muscle mass increase in the heart and the end result being a loss of the normal ventricle contractions. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is more often seen in males. It is an increase in the muscle mass within the ventricles resulting in a smaller ventricle chamber. The symptoms of this disease are usually an abnormal heart rhythm as well as heart failure. Signs of heart failure can be weight loss, respiratory difficulties, loss of appetite, weakness, episodes of collapse and an enlarged abdomen and depression. The treatments for this disease are rest, anti-arrhythmic medications and diet restrictions.