Management of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Labrador

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of cardiomyopathy in canines which is characterized by progressive ventricular dilation and loss of myocardial contractility. Four year old, male Labrador was presented with complaint of tachypnea, activity intolerance, inability to walk and inappetence for a period of 15 days to Veterinary Clinical Complex, CVSc., Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. ECG showed deep Q wave and elevated R-wave with VPCs which were also confirmed on 24 hour Holter. Elevated urea, uric acid and SDMA levels were noticed. Thoracic radiograph and echocardiography revealed biventricular dilation, globoid appearance of heart, systolic dysfunction with reduced ejection indices, thus diagnosing the case as DCM. The dog was treated with benazepril pimobendan and furosemide and there was significant clinical improvement after one month of therapy.