DCM stories

Wally’s Story

by Lara Day, DVM

This is Wally, my itty bitty pocket Pittie. His DNA test says he is 7/8 American Staffordshire Terrier and 1/8 American Bulldog. To me, he is 100% pure love. Wally will be 4 years old on …

Bailey’s Story

by Martha Martin in Memphis, Tenn.

This is Bailey, our sweet Labrador Retriever. As I write this, it is February 21, 2019, and Bailey is 9 years old. Our veterinary cardiologist is in another city and I just returned home …

Scarlett’s Story

by Bridgett Mitchell, DVM

Meet Scarlett, a 5-year-old Shih Tzu who presented at my clinic in March 2018 in complete heart failure. There are many stories of dogs succumbing to diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). On behalf of Scarlett’s owner, I …

Oliver’s Story

by Julie Carter in New Jersey

On August 3, 2018, we lost our beloved Oliver to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). He had just turned 4 years old. He was my hero, my heart dog and my best friend. He was also a proud …

Shuvee’s Story

by Adam and Jessica in Rochester, Wa.

This was our baby girl, Shuvee, who we lovingly called Punkin Head. Shuvee was a well-bred Bloodhound and a very promising working dog in search and rescue (SAR) training. She came to us …

Bella and Charlie’s Story

by Laura Filmore in Chesterfield, Mo.

I wanted to share my story of Bella and Charlie in hopes it will bring attention to dog foods suspected of causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). I have, well had, two Old English Sheepdogs.

Bella, my …

Emmett’s Story

by Christel in Saco, Maine

This is the story of Emmett, our much-loved Yellow Lab. He was 8 years old when we lost him to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). It was so advanced at the time of diagnosis that he was …

Jake’s Story

by Denise in Muskego, Wisconsin

Jake, our Shollie, was diagnosed with DCM and congestive heart failure (CHF) in January of 2018. They told us to not even hope for six months. We were devastated – and still grieving the recent …

Emma’s Story

by Denise in Muskego, Wisconsin

Emma, our Catahoula Leopard mix, was diagnosed with DCM and congestive heart failure in September of 2017 at 6 years old. We took her to the ER on September 17, because she had developed a …

Angel’s Story

by Barbara in Newcastle, Oklahoma

Angel was our 10.5-year-old Golden Pyrenees, and she was healthy, according to her annual vet visit in August of 2018. But now we look back and see different signs, such as tiring after short walks …