Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT IS DETECTED:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe heart condition in which the heart walls become thin and weak, leading to heart enlargement and eventual heart failure due to a decreased pumping ability. The associated genetic risk marker has been identified in purebred European Doberman Pinschers. The genetic markers (DCM 3 and DCM 4) do not explain all occurrences of DCM in the breed, suggesting additional genetic factors may be involved. The tests is known as a linkage test. It does not directly test for the causal variant but provides a prediction based on nearby proprietary marker(s) in the DNA. Wisdom DNA Testing company reports only 3 out of 10 Dobermans test clear of these mutations. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is the second most common heart disease in dogs and is characterized by systolic dysfunction with left or biventricular dilation, normal to reduced wall thickness, and cardiomegaly (heart enlargement). More specifically, DCM in the Doberman Pinscher is characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction and secondary left ventricular enlargement, typically presenting in middle to older aged dogs (but not always!). These changes result in the heart’s diminished ability to serve as a pump, leading to cardiac failure. The symptoms of cardiac failure are exercise intolerance, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, and ascites (fluid accumulation within the abdomen causing swelling). DCM is also characterized by arrhythmias, such as ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), which can cause sudden cardiac death without any previous symptoms. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a progressive condition in Dobermans, and the life expectancy of affected dogs can be significantly reduced. Clinical research indicates males tend to show echocardiographic changes earlier in life while females are more likely to have VPCs as the only abnormality. Genetic research has shown an association between two variants (DCM3 and DCM4) and development of DCM characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction and dilation in purebred European Dobermans. These risk variants are part of a complex genetic background and do not explain all occurrences of DCM in Dobermans, including those which develop VPCs, suggesting additional genetic factors may be involved.
In the European Doberman cohort studied to identify DCM3 and DCM4, no association was found between DCM and either the PDK4 (DCM1) variant or the TTN (DCM2) variant previously identified as risk factors for the condition in American Doberman family lines. The WISDOM PANEL DNA testing company has a (more or less) easy to understand the risk factors that they and the University of Helsinki (Finland) have worked out over their 20 year study. To understand this chart you need to know that the marker for DCM 3 is considered to be less serious than the marker for DCM 4.Here is a link to their information.
CLICK HERE TO UNDERSTAND RISK FACTORS
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe heart condition in which the heart walls become thin and weak, leading to heart enlargement and eventual heart failure due to a decreased pumping ability. The associated genetic risk marker has been identified in purebred European Doberman Pinschers. The genetic markers (DCM 3 and DCM 4) do not explain all occurrences of DCM in the breed, suggesting additional genetic factors may be involved. The tests is known as a linkage test. It does not directly test for the causal variant but provides a prediction based on nearby proprietary marker(s) in the DNA. Wisdom DNA Testing company reports only 3 out of 10 Dobermans test clear of these mutations. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is the second most common heart disease in dogs and is characterized by systolic dysfunction with left or biventricular dilation, normal to reduced wall thickness, and cardiomegaly (heart enlargement). More specifically, DCM in the Doberman Pinscher is characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction and secondary left ventricular enlargement, typically presenting in middle to older aged dogs (but not always!). These changes result in the heart’s diminished ability to serve as a pump, leading to cardiac failure. The symptoms of cardiac failure are exercise intolerance, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, and ascites (fluid accumulation within the abdomen causing swelling). DCM is also characterized by arrhythmias, such as ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), which can cause sudden cardiac death without any previous symptoms. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a progressive condition in Dobermans, and the life expectancy of affected dogs can be significantly reduced. Clinical research indicates males tend to show echocardiographic changes earlier in life while females are more likely to have VPCs as the only abnormality. Genetic research has shown an association between two variants (DCM3 and DCM4) and development of DCM characterized by left ventricular systolic dysfunction and dilation in purebred European Dobermans. These risk variants are part of a complex genetic background and do not explain all occurrences of DCM in Dobermans, including those which develop VPCs, suggesting additional genetic factors may be involved.
In the European Doberman cohort studied to identify DCM3 and DCM4, no association was found between DCM and either the PDK4 (DCM1) variant or the TTN (DCM2) variant previously identified as risk factors for the condition in American Doberman family lines. The WISDOM PANEL DNA testing company has a (more or less) easy to understand the risk factors that they and the University of Helsinki (Finland) have worked out over their 20 year study. To understand this chart you need to know that the marker for DCM 3 is considered to be less serious than the marker for DCM 4.Here is a link to their information.
CLICK HERE TO UNDERSTAND RISK FACTORS