Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes enlarged and weak.
How long can a dog live after being diagnosed with an enlarged heart?
Your veterinarian will counsel you on your pet's prognosis based on the progression of the disease at the time of diagnosis. In general, dogs with this condition are given 6-24 months to live.
Is an enlarged heart a death sentence in dogs?
“A diagnosis of heart failure is not a death sentence,” says cardiologist Suzanne Cunningham, DVM, at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. “Dogs can do well for many months or more with close monitoring and the care of a dedicated owner.”
Does a dog with an enlarged heart suffer?
When your dog's heart becomes enlarged, it becomes quite difficult for it to pump blood around their body. As this condition progresses, the dog's organs, especially their lungs and kidneys, will often start reducing in function. This progression is what makes dilated cardiomyopathy a very serious medical condition.
Can a dog survive with an enlarged heart?
Can dogs live with enlarged hearts? There's good news and bad news for this condition. On the negative side, there's no cure for an enlarged heart - but luckily, with the right treatment, careful diet and exercise, and the right regimen of medicine, your pup can still live a long and happy life.
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