Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Description
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition of the heart muscle. In ten breeding programmes approved by DWV, DCM is an examination: mandatory for, among others, the Dobermann, the Great Dane and the Irish Wolfhound, and recommended for the Newfoundland, the Saluki and the St. Bernard. The examination is an echocardiography, from 3 years and valid for 1 year; Holter monitoring is strongly recommended. The breeding programme warns: without Holter monitoring there is no certainty that a dog is free of DCM. The breeding advice is only positive when both parent dogs are clear. In most of these breeding programmes a dog with a suspect result must be retested after 6 months.
Breeds in which this condition occurs
We are rebuilding the health information for each breed from the official breeding programme of Dierenwelzijn Vlaanderen (Animal Welfare Flanders). Until then, you can find the mandatory and recommended health tests for this breed in the breeding programmes under the Flemish Breeding Decree (Fokkerijbesluit). View the official breeding programmes
