**Abstract**

Dilated cardiomyopathy involves enlargement of the ventricular chamber and systolic dysfunction. The reduction in quality of life and increased levels of congestive heart failure, combined with the high diagnosis rate within the canine population, highlights the need for research into this disorder. This chapter looks at prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy. It details the disease pathology and physiology through to present clinical practices and studies to support prevention and treatment. This chapter also looks at the research being undertaken to further understand cardiomyopathies in dogs and develop new interventions. This ranges from fatty acids profiles to genetics and even personalized medicine and comparisons with human cardiomyopathy.

**Keywords:** Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), Canine, Echocardiography, Holter Monitoring

### **1. Introduction**

DCM is characterised by ventricular chamber enlargement and systolic dysfunction which often leads to congestive heart failure [1]. The aetiology of DCM is complex. Genetic factors, myocardial ischemia, hypertension, toxins, infections and metabolic defects have been implicated [2]. DCM is the most common specific heart disease diagnosis within the Swedish insured canine population, following the more general diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, accounting for 10% of the cardiac diagnoses [1]. Prevention of disease requires a thorough understanding of the underlying causes of disease. Where the causes of disease are understood it can allow for modifications in diet, behaviour, and/or preventative medicine to be prescribed, or risk-reducing surgery to be undertaken where appropriate [3–5]. The underlying causes of non-communicable diseases are varied, with a wide range of environmental and genetic factors contributing to disease [6–11]. In most cases a combination of interacting factors contribute to disease risk, initiation, and progression [12–15].
