Dogs Are Family Too

This disease is close to my heart. Our beloved doberman Harley, passed away from this disease on July 4th, 2007. He was 5 years old.

I had let Harley out to do his business one day, and when I opened the door to let him in, he was laying there panting. This was not like him at all. I was nervous, but after talking with my husband we figured he just got stung by a bee in the yard (we have ground bees). I would just keep a close eye on him, and if he seemed to get any worse I would take him in to the vet.

Harley did seem to get better, he was no longer panting. Over the course of the next few days, he did seem to be tired, but he was a very lazy boy. He lived to just take naps with you. Again I didn't think much of it.

My husband came home from his business trip, and we were getting ready for a 4th of July party. He decided to go out to the garden to check on things, and took Harley with him. This was one of their favorite things to do together. All of a sudden I heard my husband yelling. I ran out, and he was frantic, yelling for me to get the car, we needed to take Harley to the vet. I ran to the car, I heard another whoop from my husband, and looked over, he was on his knees over Harley yelling it was too late.

My husband had tried to give Harley CPR, but it did not work, he passed away in his arms. Afterwards, my husband told me Harley was trotting right next to him to the garden, and all of a sudden he dropped. Needless to say my husband was a wreck for the next few months, and still has a hard time. Harley was literally his best friend.

After extensive research, and speaking with the vet, we all came to one conclusion. Harley had passed away from Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common heart diseases in dogs. DCM most commonly affects the left side of the heart. The myocardium (myo- muscle; cardium or cardio- heart) cannot pump blood out of the left side effectively, blood begins to back up within the left side of the heart and also in the pulmonary veins that supply the left side of the heart with blood. This process enlarges the heart to try to compensate for the ineffective pumping.

As this process happens congestive heart failure (CHF) or pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) develops.

DCM in the right side of the heart can occur, but is much more rare. The back up on this side of the heart results in right-sided CHF, the fluid accumulates in the abdomen and chest.

In some dogs DCM affect both sides of the heart.

Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, Dalmations and Cocker Spaniels are the most common breeds with this disease. They are genetically predisposed to DCM. Large and giant breeds are most commonly affected with DCM, but it can occur in smaller breeds of dogs as well as cats.

DCM is most certainly inherited. DCM has been found to be related to nutritional deficiency as well. Specifically Taurine deficiency. Taurine is an amino acid which helps (humans also) development and function of the myocardium. Dogs on vegetarian diets are more succeptable to DCM, and would most likely benefit from supplementation.

L-carnitine is another amino acid that has been linked to the development of DCM in people, and Boxers (from one small study).

Toxins such as doxorubicin- an anti-cancer drug used to treat cancers in dogs has been linked to DCM.

Signs of DCM depending upon the breed are:
loss of appetite, pale gums, increased heart rate, coughing, difficulty breathing, periods of weakness, and fainting. In some breeds, sudden death, such as with Harley.

Diagnosis can be done, but tends to be expensive. Occasionally the vet will detect an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) during a physical exam. In Dobermans and Boxers a 24-hour holter monitor is the best way to screen for early signs of DCM. A holter monitor is a 24-hour ECG, these are used for humans as well. Chest x-rays may also be performed, they would show an enlarged heart and any fluid in the lung tissue or chest.

Treatment for DCM is drug based. Common drugs used are diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and digoxin. In nutritional DCM supplements would be prescribed. Patients can also have fluid physically removed by the veterinarian to make them more comfortable.

Heart transplants can be done in humans, but unfortunately, not in animals.

Prognosis for DCM is terminal. It is a very progressive disease. If diagnosed early and the right intervention is given, your dog can have several happy years ahead of him/her. Sudden death seems to be the highest in Dobermans from DCM. It accounts for 30% of the deaths from DCM.

We are coming up on the anniversary of Harley's death. It is hard to believe it's been a year already. We miss him so much. I actually miss him pushing me off the bed!

I know a lot of people think we are crazy for loving our dogs so much, but when you think about it, we really aren't.

Dogs always give you all the love you could ever possibly need. They are always there to give you kisses, and nuzzles when you need them. They give you constant companionship, and never talk back to you!

They also listen to our every word. That means when we complain, they just sit there and take it. When we are done, they will come give us a kiss, and all they will want in return is a pat, and maybe a run in the yard.

How can you not love a dog? It is almost like asking how can you not love a child.

We miss you Harley, and think of you every day! (and, I'm sure you know we still cry too)

If you would like to try to prevent nutritional deficient DCM, you would want to supplement your dogs diet. Or you could use a taurine and L-carnitine fortified dog food. One such product would be:


Click the image to discover more about Royal Canin. To see the ingredient and analysis list - scroll down to the bottom of the page that opens.

This product would be great for dobermans also (even though it says boxers).

As every parent to a dog knows, training is essential to a happy home. If your dog doesn't know who the pack leader is, or believes he/she is the pack leader, then you are just headed for trouble. A messy house, behavior problems, tension between the humans. All of this and more happen without proper training.
I'm sure all of you know how children behave when they lack discipline, Well your dog is the same way. Treat your dog like you would your child and discipline it! This program will show you how. When you train your dog, you are showing them who is pack leader, and you will both be happier.



Click here if you are interested in learning how to train your dog at home!

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Are you interested in making home-made dog food for your buddy? This e-book has a lot of recipes for you! It is believed that many of the commercial dog foods out on the market are adversely affecting the health of your pet. Many people believe the preservatives in these products are causing health problems and cutting your dogs life short by years. Why not make your own food for him/her?

Many of these ingredients in dog food have been banned in human food because they have been linked to kidney cancer, bladder cancer, skin cancer, stomach cancer, spleen cancer, and the list goes on and on.

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Click here if you would like to read - How To Relieve Separation Anxiety In Your Dog!
Make sure you "plug it" for me! (just hit the "plug it" button on the left of the article)