[lccarmichael]

My family and I adopted a beautiful, sweet female Doberman from the Zorzi kennels in December of 2006 (she was born October 24th, 2006). She was an integral part of our lives until yesterday (May 9, 2012), when she developed pulmonary edema, severe difficultly breathing and respiratory distress - we ultimately were forced to put her down within hours of her diagnosis (primary heart failure).

She has always been healthy, of a lean build and has been a "runner" her entire life. There were absolutely no indications that her health was compromised which made the news from the vet all that more devastating.

I have contacted the Zorzi kennels to let them know of our experience in the hopes that other families can have their dogs tested for evidence (on x-ray)of heart failure - again, our dog had NO symptoms that ever indicated we needed to have x-rays done; I wish I had known.

- a very sad dobermann mom

 

[ladyballplayer]

I am so very, very sorry. My heart goes out to you all.

 

[Murreydobe]

Sorry to hear this!

Dilated cardiomyopathy is very, very common in this breed, way too many of our dogs are lost to this killer. One of the unfortunate things about it is dobermans are usually in the very end stages of the disease before there are any outward symptoms. Once a dog with DCM goes into congestive heart failure, lifespan can be measured in months or less...

This is why it's really important for dobermans to receive regular cardiac testing at least annually after age 2: a 24 hour ekg and an echocardiogram. While this disease is always fatal and there is no cure, early diagnosis and subsequent treatment provide the best chance of extending lifespan. Again, the disease is well advanced by the time an xray would be useful for diagnosis purposes.

 

[Pookiwu]

I lost my best buddy Luke (Lux del Littorio) to dilative cardiomyopathy on Nov 3. He was only 5yrs old. I bought him from the Zorzi family in January, 2008. He was a wonderful, handsome boy who was always happy, playful and approprately protective. I'm beyond heartbroken! He was too young to die and the disease took him so fast. Time from onset of symptoms to home euthanasia was only 5 days. He developed a cough, then severe weakness, then anorexia. I know there have been several others on this site who have had similar experiences.

 

[dax0402]

I lost my best buddy Luke (Lux del Littorio) to dilative cardiomyopathy on Nov 3. He was only 5yrs old. I bought him from the Zorzi family in January, 2008. He was a wonderful, handsome boy who was always happy, playful and approprately protective. I'm beyond heartbroken! He was too young to die and the disease took him so fast. Time from onset of symptoms to home euthanasia was only 5 days. He developed a cough, then severe weakness, then anorexia. I know there have been several others on this site who have had similar experiences.

So very sorry you have found DT under these circumstances and so very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, DCM is all too common in this breed. It is in all lines. Please take some time to read through all the information on DT regarding DCM. Also, when you feel up to it please take a moment and post some photos of Luke in the Rainbow Bridge forum. Please stick around. DT has a great support group of very knowledge Doberman people.

 

[RedFawnRising]

I lost my best buddy Luke (Lux del Littorio) to dilative cardiomyopathy on Nov 3. He was only 5yrs old. I bought him from the Zorzi family in January, 2008. He was a wonderful, handsome boy who was always happy, playful and approprately protective. I'm beyond heartbroken! He was too young to die and the disease took him so fast. Time from onset of symptoms to home euthanasia was only 5 days. He developed a cough, then severe weakness, then anorexia. I know there have been several others on this site who have had similar experiences.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

We do seem to have a large number of folks who've purchased from these lines who lose their beloved Dobermans to DCM.

I hope someday when you're ready, you will feel up to giving a great home to another, whether a rescue, or one from a breeder who does all that is possible to avoid this.