1
Section: Overview
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease characterized by dilation or enlargement of the heart chambers and markedly reduced contraction. The left ventricle is most always involved. Advanced cases demonstrate dilation of all cardiac chambers. DCM in cats is now comparably rare. In the past, feline dilated cardiomyopathy was due to dietary deficiency in the amino acid taurine and commonly affected breeds such as Burmese, Abyssinian, Siamese and domestic mixed breed cats. Today, reputable cat food companies assure their products are well supplemented with taurine, an essential dietary amino acid for cats. DCM can occur in cats of any age – from 2 to 20 years. The mean age of onset is approximately 10 years. It appears to be more common in male cats. Occasional cases of idiopathic DCM, which is cardiomyopathy of unknown cause, are observed in cats.
Pleural effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which is the cavity between the lungs and the thoracic wall. Normally, some fluid is present in the pleural space to lubricate...
Chylothorax is a condition in which lymph fluid drained from the intestines that contains a high quantity of fat (called chyle) accumulates in the chest cavity and causes difficulty breathing.
Heart failure is a condition, caused by an abnormality in the structure or the function of the heart, in which it is unable to pump normal quantities of blood to the tissues of the body.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition characterized by thickening of the main pumping chamber of the heart. Eventually, HCM often leads to congestive heart failure.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Statement and Legal terms Pet Care Information | Pet Information | Pet Health Information
