Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000)

Objective - To determine clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Great Danes and to determine whether DCM is familial in this breed. Design-Retrospective study. Animals - 17 Great Danes with DCM. Procedure - Medical records of Great Danes in which DCM was diagnosed on th e basis of results of echocardiography (fractional shortening < 25%, end-sy stolic volume index > 30 ml/m(2) of body surface area) were reviewed. Pedig rees were obtained for affected animals, as well as for other Great Danes i n which DCM had been diagnosed. Results - Dilated cardiomyopathy appeared to be familial and was characteri zed by ventricular dilatation, congestive heart failure (left-sided or bive ntricular), and atrial fibrillation. Pedigree analysis suggested that DCM w as inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, but the mode of inheritance co uld not be definitively identified. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that DCM may be an X-lin ked recessive trait in Great Danes. Thus, dogs with DCM probably should not be used for breeding, and female offspring of affected dogs should be used cautiously. Male offspring of affected females are at an increased risk of developing DCM and should be evaluated periodically for early signs of dis ease. Results of pedigree analysis were preliminary and should be used only as a guide for counseling breeders, rather than as a basis for making bree ding decisions.