Your Dobermans and DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) - Page 4 - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

TaniaShari · 01-03-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good dogs

I am crying reading all of this....we lost our 3 year old boy a year ago to DCM - I did agility and obedience with him and he never showed a single sign. Just dropped over one night, after pacing around for an hour. I kept getting up to let him out, and he would act normal outside, but once he was in and tried to settle, the fluids must have been pooling...when he fell over, I will never forget my husband trying his hardest to revive him...I knew he was gone

The most awful day of our life. We had a necropcy done and that was the cause. I know of someone who had their dobe swab tested, AND she had cardio at the time...came up NEG. so there are clearly more genes we dont have a handle on yet. God Bless the geneticits to continue research.

So sorry you lost your 3 year old doberboy...and I know the pain you feel...After losing my Jazzboy at 7 years last Sept....I'm still heartbroken...still cry for him somedays...I feel so bad for your husband who tried to revive him...Just so traumatic for you both...Do you have another doberman or plans?

Luvbirds · 01-03-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good dogs

I am crying reading all of this....we lost our 3 year old boy a year ago to DCM - I did agility and obedience with him and he never showed a single sign. Just dropped over one night, after pacing around for an hour. I kept getting up to let him out, and he would act normal outside, but once he was in and tried to settle, the fluids must have been pooling...when he fell over, I will never forget my husband trying his hardest to revive him...I knew he was gone

The most awful day of our life. We had a necropcy done and that was the cause. I know of someone who had their dobe swab tested, AND she had cardio at the time...came up NEG. so there are clearly more genes we dont have a handle on yet. God Bless the geneticits to continue research.

3 is just tragic! I am deeply sorry for your loss. My Petey was NEG on the gene test too. He died before his 5th birthday the same way your boy went, but we knew he had DCM. Baron on this forum is also NEG. He also has DCM diagnosed at 4 years old. He is doing GREAT! No changes to his heart. Hugs to you. ox

Sarahnichole · 01-03-2012, 01:15 PM

I have never lost a dobie to DCM, but I did just lose my APBT to it on Sunday..... I thought his cough was just a cold and was going to be taking him to the vet this week, then I went to wake him up to go outside and he was gone.... It's a horrible condition. I had no idea he had it. He was only 4. I've been battling various health problems with my 3-year-old female dobie on and off her entire life, but especially over the last couple of months and I am terrified that she will be diagnosed with DCM at some point and that I will lose her too. I do agree with what a lot of people have written here though, that you just have to enjoy what time you have with them, because even the healthiest dog is gone too soon. It's an unfortunate fact of life. I wouldn't trade any of my babies or my time with them for anything, even if it means I have to be completely devestated later. That does not in any way mean you should just ignore any issues and hope for the best. Definitely get them any care they need or you possibly can, but never regret your time with them....

Good dogs · 01-03-2012, 06:45 PM

Luvbirds, I was on the forum when you first found out about Petey....and today when I came back, I looked to see whatever happened to him

It's such an awful disease....yes, we did get a new boy

we already had a girlie, and she was devastated that her boy was gone, so we got her a new playmate almost immediately. He just turned 2 and got his BN title and RE title before Christmas

I did the swab test last Feb. and he is NEG....for now......I OVER worry now, about EVERYTHING!

**dax0402** · 01-03-2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good dogs

Luvbirds, I was on the forum when you first found out about Petey....and today when I came back, I looked to see whatever happened to him

It's such an awful disease....yes, we did get a new boy

we already had a girlie, and she was devastated that her boy was gone, so we got her a new playmate almost immediately. He just turned 2 and got his BN title and RE title before Christmas

I did the swab test last Feb. and he is NEG....for now......I OVER worry now, about EVERYTHING!

So very, very sorry for your loss Good Dogs. DCM is a plague on the breed. Another person on this forum just lost her 9 year old girl to sudden death yesterday. This is Baron's thread: Baron has DCM

But this disease has taught me one important thing, along with help from Luvbirds and others on this forum, that we have to "live in the moment" like our puppers do. Congratulations on earning your titles. Baron got his CD before we found out and had just started Rally. I decided my goal was to get his Rally titles and we got his last Rally Excellent leg in November. My goal for this year is his CDX. Hope to be ready to give it a try by spring. Just keep enjoying every minute with your Dobes.

feverone · 01-04-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good dogs

I am crying reading all of this....we lost our 3 year old boy a year ago to DCM - I did agility and obedience with him and he never showed a single sign. Just dropped over one night, after pacing around for an hour. I kept getting up to let him out, and he would act normal outside, but once he was in and tried to settle, the fluids must have been pooling...when he fell over, I will never forget my husband trying his hardest to revive him...I knew he was gone

The most awful day of our life. We had a necropcy done and that was the cause. I know of someone who had their dobe swab tested, AND she had cardio at the time...came up NEG. so there are clearly more genes we dont have a handle on yet. God Bless the geneticits to continue research.

Yep I too have gone through it .....would I do it all over again YES... for to have my Fever in my life was the greatest joy I ever had.. He was a extremely happy dog til the day he left me.. I too feel people put way to much faith in the gene test. Still way to much work to be done yet. I would never breed a homo to a homo BUT I still wouldnt hold my breath on the test either.
Keep testing your dogs every year and give them the longest happiest life possible. ;-)

SchumiTEC · 01-04-2012, 10:23 AM

Never had to deal with DCM in the past, and I hope I don't in the future. Porsche is 9 years old.

Good dogs · 01-04-2012, 08:11 PM

Schumitech, my first thought is "What have you been feeding her" that you are blessed to have her at 9!!! I will never get over losing a young boy, and so right - he was the most FABULOUS dog that ever lived. Have you kept Porcshe on the same food her whole life, or switched around?

feverone · 01-04-2012, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchumiTEC

Never had to deal with DCM in the past, and I hope I don't in the future. Porsche is 9 years old.

I too have a girl who will be 9 in march and her heart hasn't changed since she was 2........Her dad is my Cardio Boy Fever. Thats the scary thing about Cardio you just dont know which one will get it and which ones wont.
But I know I'll never not test for every year heck every day is a blessing with these dogs ;-)

mmctaq · 01-06-2012, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good dogs

Schumitech, my first thought is "What have you been feeding her" that you are blessed to have her at 9!!! I will never get over losing a young boy, and so right - he was the most FABULOUS dog that ever lived. Have you kept Porcshe on the same food her whole life, or switched around?

I have met two folks with fifteen year old Dobermans. One was fed mostly raw and some cooked, under the care of both an alternative and a traditional vet, very well cared for by a very educated owner. The other one ate Kibbles 'N' Bits for his whole life.

Some things are just luck of the draw...

sheezbusy · 01-06-2012, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobies 71

Just a thought:

Try not to be so scared of this disease. I went and watched my girl being worked out on the treadmill by her trainer. At first I was scared. I thought, "Oh my what a way to bring on a heart attack of some kind."

But my cardiologist vet told me that if it is there, its there and nothing will stop it.

So the moral of the story is relax and enjoy your dogs. If they have it; they have it. Enjoy each day you have them.

You really cannot "bring it on" by stressing them on. And, for me, though I really like this bitch, if she should fall to cardio, at least she will not have produced any offspring. I'd rather know ahead of the game.

So, I plan on letting her live a useful wholesome life. I don't plan on making her frail because I am so afraid.

For now, my bitches grandparents are 12 and 9 respectively. I hope I am ok. Her parents are in the 6/7 age range. So I have my fingers crossed.

I would rather have my dog have 6-7 years of love, attention and being spoiled than to have a long life in an abusive home. Life is what you make it. I hope everyone on this board who has had one of there beloved dogs die of DCM realize their dogs had a wonderful life. Even though we would all want our Dobes to live 15+ years, it most likely won't happen. Hug your Doggie every day. Quality of life is more important than quantity.

Luvbirds · 01-06-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheezbusy

I would rather have my dog have 6-7 years of love, attention and being spoiled than to have a long life in an abusive home. Life is what you make it. I hope everyone on this board who has had one of there beloved dogs die of DCM realize their dogs had a wonderful life. Even though we would all want our Dobes to live 15+ years, it most likely won't happen. Hug your Doggie every day. Quality of life is more important than quantity.

Petey only got 4 years and 9 months. Not near enough time in my eyes. He did have a wonderful life, he wanted for nothing. I treated him like one of my human kids. He had the best food, treats, toys, beds,play-times, hikes everyday, went to work with me, went on vacations with us and,had the love of my 4 sons, hubby, extended family, our friends and mine. I just wish we could have had a few more years together. He was my heart and soul. I miss him deeply everyday for the last 5 months.

Also Dobies71 Petey's cardiologist told me point blank not to limit his activity. The last week Petey was alive we were on vacation, he was running, jumping, swimming, having the time of his life, he died the night we came home.

pdubois64 · 10-23-2012, 11:28 AM

I lost my boy last month to DCM at 3 years and 7 months. He really showed no symtoms until the day before, I understand this is usually the case when they get it young. He was restless the night before and had some abdominal swelling. Took him to the vet and he was in cardiac shock. Tried to treat it for about 8 hours and he wasn't getting any better so I chose to say goodbye. He hated being at the vet so I didn't want to stress him any longer. I also feared if we continued he might pass when I wasn't there and that would have killed me. I was told it would take 3-4 days at least to try to turn him around and even if they did he wouldn't last much longer anyway. He had fluid in his chest as well as the abdomen which indicated left and right side heart failure. He went for a run the day before chasing his frisbee like he did every day....just shows how much he loved that dam frisbee....even in heart failure he wanted to go.

P.S. also tested -/- for the DCM gene at WSU.

dobiemads · 10-23-2012, 12:55 PM

So very sad to read of all the dobes and owners that have suffered through this disease.

My girl was diagnosed 2 months shy of her 9th birthday, apart from her osteoarthritis she has always been healthy.

She turned 9 years on 2nd october 2012 and is doing well on medication and supplements so far.

cowboy · 10-23-2012, 01:01 PM

I lost my Champion dobe boy this April to DCM at 5 years and 2 days old. Holtered every 8 months and never had a bad holter report. He really showed symptoms until the day before. Thought he was getting some allergies and took him to the vet. He had rapid heartbeat and was in A-fib. They tried to treat him for about 24 hours, but the fluid build up was rapid and they couldn't get his heart rate down and couldn't get him out of A-fib. He was suffering and we had him put out of his misery. By the way... He had 14 lbs of fluid in his chest as well as the abdomen the day he died.

The day before he was playing with our dobe bitch all day long. It was devastating and still hard to talk about. :-(

Tested -/+ for the DCM gene at WSU.

I have a BYB dobe bitch at home that is 12 years old. I also had a rescued Great Dane that lived 13 years 3 months old.

Clairdev · 12-01-2012, 07:10 AM

My first Dobe Zeus, he has been diagnosed with this awful illness on Monday just gone. He is 6 years old. I am totally devastated. I had been the vets approx 9 times since September with coughing and I knew he wasn't right. My own vet scanned his heart said he was fine. In actual fact his left side had already swelled and he was going into heart failure. My boy went into advanced heart failure on Sunday. I don't really know what to expect at the moment. He is under Leahurst and is on about 8 different meds. He doesn't seem himself this makes me sad. He also has pancreatis discovered this yesterday. I am so so sad. I don't know how ill live without him. He is an angel

Amelia_ · 12-01-2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clairdev

My first Dobe Zeus, he has been diagnosed with this awful illness on Monday just gone. He is 6 years old. I am totally devastated. I had been the vets approx 9 times since September with coughing and I knew he wasn't right. My own vet scanned his heart said he was fine. In actual fact his left side had already swelled and he was going into heart failure. My boy went into advanced heart failure on Sunday. I don't really know what to expect at the moment. He is under Leahurst and is on about 8 different meds. He doesn't seem himself this makes me sad. He also has pancreatis discovered this yesterday. I am so so sad. I don't know how ill live without him. He is an angel

Im so sorry to hear this, all the best for you and Zeus.

Clairdev · 12-09-2012, 04:11 AM

Update on Zeus. He improved dramatically for 2 days then poorly again as he has pancreatitis! That was under control then vomiting and diahorea started Friday night. He is now in renal failure and hasn't eaten since Thursday. They think they can reverse it. They say his heart is doing great which is such a shame for him, looks as if other things will kill him.

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**dax0402** · 12-09-2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clairdev

Update on Zeus. He improved dramatically for 2 days then poorly again as he has pancreatitis! That was under control then vomiting and diahorea started Friday night. He is now in renal failure and hasn't eaten since Thursday. They think they can reverse it. They say his heart is doing great which is such a shame for him, looks as if other things will kill him.

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

Clairdev, I am so very sorry about Zeus. Hopefulling, they can get it under control. Please feel free to start a thread on Zeus and hopefully post some photos of your boy. So sorry you have found DT under these circumstances but you will find a great support group here with a lot of information.

DobieDiver · 12-10-2012, 03:57 PM

One of my beloved Dobermann's died at age 5 - sudden death and my current boy, Brusco was just diagnosed with DCM after several collapses. On Vetmedin now. I am trying to enjoy every moment but I am worried every moment instead. I hate this disease. Brusco just turned 6.

LVdobe · 12-10-2012, 06:06 PM

Blase update. Almost 3 years and still going. Just this year I put him on Vetmendin 5mg. I have an extremly strict diet he gets and regimented excersise suplements ext. He still loves his hikes and his outtings(much shorter now tho). His cardiologist and normal vet just smerk and shake there heads when they look at him. last holter almost a year ago was 3658 vpc. 12 doubles. 8 triples.
echo was crap too dont have report to give exacts.
I enjoy every day with him.

Corrinne · 12-16-2012, 06:24 PM

My beloved 6 year old red dobie suddenly dropped dead Thursday evening, having shown no signs or symptoms and appearing to be happy, hungry and sassy. It was a complete shock to my husband and me. I called my vet's office and all they could say was 'heart attack'. I called my trainer (and past dobie breeder) and she said the same thing, but nobody mentioned DCM. Having read the web information on the condition, it sound like exactly what happened to Triton. We decided to just bury him quietly and not have any investigation done, which we thought would only intensify the sadness for us. Just wanted to share with you all that another wonderful dog succumbed to this awful condition.

TaniaShari · 12-17-2012, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corrinne

My beloved 6 year old red dobie suddenly dropped dead Thursday evening, having shown no signs or symptoms and appearing to be happy, hungry and sassy. It was a complete shock to my husband and me. I called my vet's office and all they could say was 'heart attack'. I called my trainer (and past dobie breeder) and she said the same thing, but nobody mentioned DCM. Having read the web information on the condition, it sound like exactly what happened to Triton. We decided to just bury him quietly and not have any investigation done, which we thought would only intensify the sadness for us. Just wanted to share with you all that another wonderful dog succumbed to this awful condition.

just wanted to say i'm so sorry for your loss. At least he went quickly...my boy suffered for about 2 months before i had to euthanize him...
But, either way, losing a beloved doberboy is heart wrenching. hugs to you!

dobiemads · 12-18-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corrinne

My beloved 6 year old red dobie suddenly dropped dead Thursday evening, having shown no signs or symptoms and appearing to be happy, hungry and sassy. It was a complete shock to my husband and me. I called my vet's office and all they could say was 'heart attack'. I called my trainer (and past dobie breeder) and she said the same thing, but nobody mentioned DCM. Having read the web information on the condition, it sound like exactly what happened to Triton. We decided to just bury him quietly and not have any investigation done, which we thought would only intensify the sadness for us. Just wanted to share with you all that another wonderful dog succumbed to this awful condition.

So very sorry for your loss - Run free sweet dobe.

Froglet · 12-26-2012, 02:44 PM

My dobe who is 9 years old has just been diagnosed with DCM. My vet said we caught it early as I took him in the minute I noted he couldn't push himself up from a sitting position. He was scanned the next day and though his chest xray was clear with no fluid, his ventricles were found to be quite enlarged. I was told he had 6 weeks to 6 months at best

He is now on cardisure 10mg daily and for a check up end of January. I find myself watching him for the slightest change because the vet said he will have this episode more and more frequently as the disease progresses. So far, he seems much like normal, in fact he seems less clingy than normal, which is a bit odd!

There sure as heck is nothing wrong with his appetite