Echocardiography as a definitive diagnostic tool for dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Seven clinical cases of dogs of different breeds and ages, showing anorexia, exercise intolerance, lethargy and weight loss, were subjected to thorough physical, haematological, serum biochemical, radiographic, and 2-D mode, M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic examinations. In late dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (n=5), both systolic and diastolic left ventricular dimension, EPSS and LA/Ao ratio were increased with reduced fractional shortening (FS). Mild mitral regurgitation was observed in three cases of late DCM. In early DCM (n=2) there was normal diastolic dimension (LVIDd) but increased systolic left ventricular dimension (LVIDs) and hence reduced FS was found.