ok, sorry Matt Vandart, I know you did not want discussion, just links, so this post can be edited if you want...........but i have cabin fever and my mind is on a roll.
now, working off this............ 1. Dobermans, free of heart disease, have hearts that are normally weaker than those of other dogs."
i wanta to add this link to this thread...........
Thyroid Hormone Disorders
"TH imbalance has a profound effect on cardiovascular fitness because TH helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Under hypothyroid conditions, the heart can slow to 30 heart beats a minute and develop arrhythmia. Blood pressure may fall from normal levels of 120/90 to 70/50. Hypothyroidism also weakens muscles, including the diaphragm. As a result, breathing can become less efficient. A goiter impairs breathing even more. Snoring may start or become worse. Fatigue sets in easily; in fact it never quite leaves a person with symptomatic hypothyroidism. Muscles and joints often ache. With respiration impaired and oxygen in short supply, exercise takes a heavy toll on the body, and muscles do not strengthen in response to exercise; nor does stamina improve."
so, if a low thyroid, weakens the heart muscle, the diaphragm.....................
is the fact that so many of our breed is 'low normal' or 'lower', contributing to the dcm in our breed. Is it a 'trigger'?
and because the thyroid affects hormones.......is that why it seems that more males are affected with dcm than females.
does a female hormone somehow 'protect' the heart muscle?
my 2 longest lived dobes were both spayed females, on thyroid replacemant therapy most of their lives........i have always wondered if thyroid.....dcm....cvi and cancer were all linked in some way.