Posted by: Linda Davey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Ruby,
Sorry to take so long to reply! Cardiomyopathy in the case of our two
boys (and a third and perhaps more in the same litter) was a genetic
problem. There is a great deal of study going on regarding this, but
the University hospitals who are working on the problem are convinced
that genetic factors are what cause it.
You asked how long they lived. Our first, Siggy, (Ch. Standbyme's Hank
Junior, C.D.) was 3 years old. He lived 3 months from diagnosis, and
was 4 when he died. It was very advanced. We learned (after his death)
that another male in the litter had died of cardiomyopathy shortly
before Siggy. He lived for a year after diagnosis. Siggy was #1 Dane
in Canada at the time of his diagnosis, and finished 4th for the year,
despite having been dead for 4 months at the end of the year.
Of course, we had his brother Ch. Standbyme's Sundance Kid (I didn't
choose these names!) who we called Soren, tested as soon as Siggy's was
found, and we discovered that he had it too. He lived for a little more
than a year on the medications I mentioned. We had him put down 2 months
ago. Our Vet was amazed at how long each dog lasted from diagnosis and
now uses our drug protocol on all cardiomyopathy patients (who can
afford it!). L-Carnatine is one of the most valuable drugs, but also
one of the most expensive.
People who have problems with Wobblers, cardiomyopathy, or bloat, should
contact the following, and also donate or volunteer their time.
Great Dane Health Foundation of America Inc.
P.O. Box 5037
Petaluma CA 94955-5037
Linda Davey
