DCM testing question

It doesn't hurt to do so, but I've found no value in doing it yet as it's only one of perhaps many genes. I'd rather spend the money on EKGs, echos and 24 hr. holters (which is the route we took), which shows a lot more about the current conditions of the heart.

I'd spend my money on holters and ehco's, especially on non-breeding stock. There are dogs who have tested negative for the DNA gene who have DCM and have died of DCM.

Petey, the dog in this thread, was negative on the DNA test but died from DCM at under 5 years of age. His owner found out about his DCM from doing a routine holter and then confirming it with the echo, and was able to get him on meds and buy him some additional time.

http://www.dobermantalk.com/rainbow-bridge/60389-happy-5th-birthday-petey.html#post984018

We had Baron DNA tested last January and the test came back negative. Had him echoed and holtered in February. Echo was normal. Holter abnormal. He has early stage DCM: http://www.dobermantalk.com/doberman-health/53082-baron-has-dcm.html

The gene is only one small piece of the puzzle for this horrible disease. Only way to know for sure is yearly echo and holter testing.

Thank you all for the information. It helped clarify what tests I need to do. I will ask my vet about a holter monitor for a start! My heart goes out to Petey's owner, so very sad, but what a lovely tribute to him on the above link. To Baron's owner- I am very happy to read of Barons improvements on medication and will keep looking for your updates.

To help lower the cost of the echo/holter you could try finding a club that is holding a clinic. I had Bacchus done at the Tappan Zee in February. Just a thought.

Kiwigirl said:

Thank you all for the information. It helped clarify what tests I need to do. I will ask my vet about a holter monitor for a start! My heart goes out to Petey's owner, so very sad, but what a lovely tribute to him on the above link. To Baron's owner- I am very happy to read of Barons improvements on medication and will keep looking for your updates.

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Thank you....Petey is one of many DT dobes who's life was taken way too young by DCM. You can inexpensively rent a Holter Monitor, from a member here on DT. That is how I initially found Petey's disease. Look in the classified area for information.

VZ-Doberman said:

To help lower the cost of the echo/holter you could try finding a club that is holding a clinic. I had Bacchus done at the Tappan Zee in February. Just a thought.

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This is also where Baron had his first echo/holter done. Very reasonable because of multiple dogs being done. Of course, if your Dobe is diagnosed with DCM, you need to immediately find a good cardiologist.

Hi, this DCM has gotten me worried.

When I got Toby my vet listened to his heart and said it was fine, however, he mentioned nothing about regular testing. (to be honest he isn't that up on Dobes). My question is, how do I explain to a vet who isnt 'o'fay with Dobes and their problems that I want him to check for DCM. Do I simply go in and ask for an echo be done etc.
What will he be looking for, is it arithymia, (sorry if I have spelt that incorrectly), unfortunately for me, Dobes are very rare over here so finding someone who knows anything about them is like looking for a needle in a haystack, so any help will be appreciated when it comes to trying to educate the vet I have.

Here's a good site with more info on DCM and holtering: Have a Heart

Another good site: ALBA Medical - Holter Monitoring Company

Toby'shuman said:

Hi, this DCM has gotten me worried.

When I got Toby my vet listened to his heart and said it was fine, however, he mentioned nothing about regular testing. (to be honest he isn't that up on Dobes). My question is, how do I explain to a vet who isnt 'o'fay with Dobes and their problems that I want him to check for DCM. Do I simply go in and ask for an echo be done etc.
What will he be looking for, is it arithymia, (sorry if I have spelt that incorrectly), unfortunately for me, Dobes are very rare over here so finding someone who knows anything about them is like looking for a needle in a haystack, so any help will be appreciated when it comes to trying to educate the vet I have.

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I would vote for doing everything, and then using the information I got to determine how practive I would be.

I knew the train was on the tracks with my boy when he was two (ultrasound), and this allowed me to increase supplementation and engage in keeping the closest eye on him possible and start him on meds even before he was technically diagnosed... I managed him as if he had DCM for his few years before he actually did (dunno if it helped, but he got a couple more years than his sire did). My girl is negative on the gene test, fine on the blood test and okay by the cardiologist... with her, I am aware but not paranoid.

I think that any information is good information, provided it is fully understood and used wisely.

Does anyone know what to expect to pay for Holter Monitoring? The Cardiologist that I am going to see will be available for a first time inspection as soon as Christmas is over. They are out of town right now. Just doing a little pre-research. And getting finances in order for my little butthole.

tangoseal said:

Does anyone know what to expect to pay for Holter Monitoring? The Cardiologist that I am going to see will be available for a first time inspection as soon as Christmas is over. They are out of town right now. Just doing a little pre-research. And getting finances in order for my little butthole.

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We pay an exam fee + I think... 267? And that includes the rental, the reading/phone call.

I had another question too if thats okay, at what age should you start looking for DCM?

I think 2-3 is when people typically start doing holters? We started testing because our regular vet heard abnormal beats on one of his yearly wellness exams.