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Addisons
Disease
Allergies Anesthesia Cancer Digestive
Disorders Elbow
Dysplasia Eye
Problems Heart
Disease Hernia Hip
Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Kidney/Liver Laryngeal
Paralysis Missing
Teeth Osteochondrosis
Dissecans (OCD) Panosteitis Perianal
Fistulas Polyneuropathy Reproduction Temperament
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Dilated Cardiomyopathy
| What
is it? | DCM
or Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that renders it ineffective
and causes heart failure. It can occur in young dogs, but is usually seen in older
dogs. We have seen
some familial tendencies in the Leonberger, and a recent new case from a different
line of dogs emphasizes the presence in our gene pool. Even though DCM is rare
in the Leonberger, it is such a devastating disease that it needs to be monitored
closely. | | Symptoms: | Include
exercise intolerance, pale gums, coughing, and difficulty breathing. |
| Diagnosis: | A
diagnosis can be made with chest x-rays and an ultrasound of the heart (an echocardiogram). |
| Treatment: | Depends
on when the problem is detected. In most cases, however, treatment is not terribly
effective, and barely slows the progression of this disease. |
| Links: | |
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