You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

In one study antioxidant concentrations were compared between 18 dogs with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and 16 healthy dogs.

Whenever the cause of a disease is unknown an undetermined metabolic abnormally is most likely to be involved. This proved to be the case with taurine-deficiency related dilated cardiomyopathy in cats.

In one study (Freeman et al Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (1999) 215, 644-646) the concentrations of vitamins A, C and E and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (an indicator of oxidative stress), glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were measured and compared between dogs with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM)  and normal healthy dogs.

Dogs with IDCM had significantly higher glutathione peroxidase concentrations, and vitamin E concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with severe disease.

The authors concluded that there was a significant imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system in dogs with IDCM but it was not clear whether these changes occurred prior to, and so may have had a role in the cause of the disorder, or whether they occurred as a consequence of the disease.

Updated October 2013