Occurrence of DCM in a Young Labrador Retrievers: Diet and Inheritance as Prognostic Factors

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in young dogs, specifically around 2 years of age, is an atypical but increasingly documented occurrence. While DCM has traditionally been considered a disease of middle-aged to older dogs (typically 4–8 years), recent research and veterinary alerts have highlighted its presence in younger Labrador Retrievers, often linked to either specific genetic predispositions or nutritional factors. Tenmale Labrador retriever dogs aged between 1-3 were presented to the veterinary clinical complex, college of Veterinary science, Tirupati with clinical symptoms of exercise intolerance, panting heavily, weakness, lethargy, coughing during night times, rapid and heavy breathing, abdominal distension, sudden fainting often observed. Anamnesis include deworming and vaccination done on regular basis, all the dogs were maintained indoors and on home food without much supplements. Haemato biochemical examination revealed merely normal values. On radiographic examination biventricular enlargement, globoid appearance elevated trachea and VHS levels ranged between 11.3-13.5. Electrocardiography showed elevated R wave, deep Q wave with bradycardia and VPCs. Echocardiography examination revealed reduced ejection fraction, fractional shortening with increased LVIDd and LVIDs. The dogs were treated with Enalpril @0.5mg/kg BWT, spironolactone@0.5mg/kgbwt BID for 15 days (for ascites cases), tab. strongbeat BID for 30 days. DCM in young dogs is often inherited and dietary related especially when dogs were maintained exclusively on home diet. Definitely there might be taurine deficiency and which can be reversed by including the taurine in diet. Research needs to be done on the influence of inheritance on occurrence of DCM in younger dogs.

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