Science
Tufts Professor Lisa Freeman wins inaugural Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award
By Verena Runstadler | February 12Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of congestive heart failure in some large dog breeds, including doberman pinschers, Saint Bernards and Great Danes, and is often inherited. DCM causes thinning of the heart muscle, leading to a weakened heart with arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, and fluid buildup, that can ultimately result in heart failure. However, another form of the disease — diet-associated DCM — can affect many breeds of dogs and cats regardless of genetics.
