DCM questions

[Mackenziejw]

Hi guys! Just want to see if anyone can guide me a bit around how to properly address keeping an eye on your dobes health and staying on top of it. Onyx is a year and a half now and I just am curious when he should start going in to have his heart checked out. Is it at 2? His embark results did show he tested positive for the DCM gene although I understand that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll get it. When should I start taking him in for echos and heart holtering? Appreciate any help! Thank you in advance. Attached some photos of my goofy boy for fun

 

[MichiH]

I’m here to see what DCF says about this also. I haven’t a clue myself, but man what a good looking Doberman! He’s adorable!!!

My vet did say to provide my pups parents health checks and she’ll access that. If nothing on parents regarding DCM and her heart sounds good at visits then do nothing.

Now if this is correct idk and would also be curious why DCF thinks.

 

[JanS]

He's grown into a handsome boy!

Embark is a good place to start when they're young to find out the basics and they'll let you know if there's anything that needs extra attention. A baseline blood panel is always good when they're younger is good to know too so if it goes up or down from there, it's something to keep an eye on.

They need to be 2 before a holter and echo, and things like doing hips and a few other things is helpful.

 

[Ravenbird]

If both parents had clear Echos and Holters within the 12 months before your puppies birth and your puppy is healthy and showing no signs of heart distress, and you are not breeding then I would agree on the standard advice of doing each test sometime in their 2nd or 3rd year. Also keep in touch with your breeder and ask to be notified if either parent or other litter mates or close relatives gets DCM or dies of sudden death. The kind of heart disease that Dobermans get is 100% hereditary and the more you know of their family lines the better. No line is clear of DCM.

 

[MichiH]

If both parents had clear Echos and Holters within the 12 months before your puppies birth and your puppy is healthy and showing no signs of heart distress, and you are not breeding then I would agree on the standard advice of doing each test sometime in their 2nd or 3rd year. Also keep in touch with your breeder and ask to be notified if either parent or other litter mates or close relatives gets DCM or dies of sudden death. The kind of heart disease that Dobermans get is 100% hereditary and the more you know of their family lines the better. No line is clear of DCM.

Very informative thank you. They had clear tests before her birth. Her father is a Von Schwarz and looks like they’re pretty healthy. Her mother I don’t know much besides my breeder had her in litter she had.
I’ll make sure I do have her tested when need be thanks so much again!

 

[Ravenbird]

Her father is a Von Schwarz

LOL, no wonder Pepper is extra spicy!!! Sure you don't want to learn to love bitey sports?

 

[Ravenbird]

Onyx is a good looking boy! We'd love to see you guys more often around here!

 

[strykerdobe]

Great looking boy.

Health testing for Heart starting at 2yrs up to 5yrs with and Echo and 24hr Holter 1x a year.
At 5yrs and after still Echo 1x a year but Holter 2x a year. Combining them is the best.

An Echo tells a lot about the Heart such as Blood Flow, checking Heart Valves, Size of Heart Chambers, Wall Thicknesses and lots of other measurements. Sometimes it can detect Arrythmias if they are throwing them out at the time of the Echo. But When an Echo is done its only for about 5-10min.

A Holter can tell if the Heart is throwing any Arrythmias for 24hrs. It looks for any Single PVC's, Pairs, Triplets and Runs.
Usually, Holter's are just 24hrs. But like our Female who will be 8yrs in March I've been doing 48hr Holter's. For a couple of years.

There are Blood tests like (NT-proBNP assy) which can help detect when certain proteins the Heart releases in the blood when under stress such as stretching. So, when a dog is very active and runs a lot some of these proteins might be released.
But I would not completely trust it if that were the only test you want to do.

The cheapest way to do Heart testing is finding a Doberman Club, Boxer Club or other large breed club and maybe renting one. Also, maybe an All-Breed Clinc sponsoring one. Another might be a Veterinary College that might rent one.

Health testing for Thyroid (Dobes are known for Thyroid issues) I would do around 3-4yrs old. Its best to have a Full Thyroid Panel done for a good baseline. Lots of Vets like to do only T4.

Good luck with your boy!

 

[Rits]

Holter and echo starting at 2 years old for all Dobermans, even if you don't plan to breed. Within 6 months of one another. Every year after that. Early detection and if detected, early medication, can greatly extend their life!

Follow @strykerdobe advice for finding more economical options! I do my echos at all breed clinics offered at dog shows, anyone can use these. Then my holter is borrowed from my breeder and I submit the results to Alba to have their cardiologist interpret. If any issues or questions, send the results to local cardiologist.

 

[MichiH]

LOL, no wonder Pepper is extra spicy!!! Sure you don't want to learn to love bitey sports?

lol I know learning a lot as we go, but it’s all good I love her and am willing to raise her properly.

Her father was incredibly calm and welcoming even kissed her good bye, well a lick.

I have been looking at FastCat, Barnhunt, but nothing around here so far. I emailed the local club who hosts them nothing back yet.

As for biting I need to look into it more she would love that. Her favorite thing now is her rope toys and her tug toy. I don’t give her much feed back as she’s tiny still, but she loves it and will drop it when asked to.

 

[JanS]

I do my echos at all breed clinics offered at dog shows, anyone can use these.

They were going to have one at the fall show last year but they cancelled because not enough people signed up. If they have it this year Elroy will be a week shy of 2 years old...