Munday J S, Dyer C B, Hartman A C, Orbell G M B
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 2006 Oct;54(5):231-4. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2006.36702.
To compare the prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in New Zealand Huntaway dogs with the prevalence of DCM in other breeds of dog.
The necropsy database at Massey University was used to identify cases of DCM diagnosed between January 1999 and March 2006. Dogs were considered to have DCM if echocardiographic, gross necropsy, or histological findings were consistent with this diagnosis. The prevalence in Huntaways was then compared with the prevalence observed in all breeds of dog, as well as the prevalence observed in large breeds of dog.
Twelve dogs were identified with DCM. One was diagnosed using echocardiography, while the other 11 were diagnosed by gross necropsy examination. The gross diagnosis of DCM was confirmed histologically in 6/11 dogs. The prevalence of DCM in Huntaways was significantly higher than the prevalence seen in all breeds of dog (p=0.008), and the prevalence in large breeds of dog (p=0.025). All four Huntaways diagnosed with DCM were male, and had an average age of 4 years. Three dogs presented with symptoms attributable to impaired heart function while one presented with symptoms of chronic renal failure. The duration of clinical symptoms prior to presentation ranged between 1 day and 3 weeks.
The results of this study suggest that Huntaways may be predisposed to the development of DCM. Although the increased prevalence in this breed was significant, only small numbers of affected Huntaways were identified, and additional cases are required to confirm these preliminary findings.
Huntaways are the most common working dog in New Zealand. The premature loss of a working dog is expected to have a significant economic impact on farmers. Further investigation of DCM in Huntaways may allow measures to reduce the prevalence in this breed.
比较新西兰汉塔威犬扩张型心肌病（DCM）的患病率与其他犬种DCM的患病率。
利用梅西大学的尸检数据库确定1999年1月至2006年3月期间诊断为DCM的病例。如果超声心动图、大体尸检或组织学检查结果与该诊断一致，则认为犬患有DCM。然后将汉塔威犬的患病率与所有犬种以及大型犬种的患病率进行比较。
确定了12只患有DCM的犬。1只通过超声心动图诊断，另外11只通过大体尸检诊断。11只犬中有6只通过组织学检查证实了DCM的大体诊断。汉塔威犬中DCM的患病率显著高于所有犬种（p = 0.008）以及大型犬种（p = 0.025）。所有4只被诊断为DCM的汉塔威犬均为雄性，平均年龄为4岁。3只犬出现了与心功能受损相关的症状，1只出现了慢性肾衰竭的症状。就诊前临床症状持续时间为1天至3周。
本研究结果表明汉塔威犬可能易患DCM。尽管该品种患病率的增加具有统计学意义，但仅发现了少数受影响的汉塔威犬，需要更多病例来证实这些初步发现。
汉塔威犬是新西兰最常见的工作犬。工作犬的过早死亡预计会对农民产生重大经济影响。对汉塔威犬DCM的进一步研究可能有助于采取措施降低该品种的患病率。
