Condition10 connections · 6 sources
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is disease of the heart muscle. In cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common form. In dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is most prevalent in large breeds.
Key Facts
- HCM (cats): thickening of heart walls; most common feline heart disease; often genetic
- DCM (dogs): weakened, dilated heart chambers; large/giant breeds predisposed (Doberman, Great Dane, Boxer)
- HCM cats may be asymptomatic or present with sudden paralysis from aortic-thromboembolism
- DCM linked to taurine deficiency in cats and potentially grain-free diets in dogs
- Signs: lethargy, rapid breathing, dyspnea, pleural-effusion, exercise intolerance
- Diagnosis: echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
- Treatment: ACE inhibitors, diuretics (furosemide), beta-blockers, blood thinners for cats
- Cats with HCM: sleeping/resting respiratory rate monitoring is crucial for early detection of heart failure
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (10)
Related Conditions
Aortic ThromboembolismCondition
Underlying cause in 89% of cases
Atrial FibrillationCondition
Cardiomyopathy frequently causes atrial enlargement, which creates the physical environment necessary for atrial fibrillation to develop.
Congestive Heart FailureCondition
End result of progressive cardiomyopathy
Diet Associated CardiomyopathyCondition
This condition represents a specific dietary-induced subtype of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Heart DiseaseCondition
Cardiomyopathy is the most common form of heart disease in cats
Taurine DeficiencyCondition
Taurine deficiency is a well-established nutritional cause of reversible dilated cardiomyopathy.