Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common heart disease in dogs. Since the disease is seen more frequently in certain breeds, among them Newfoundland dogs, a genetic factor is suspected. This study was partly undertaken to investigate whether there is a significant sex predilection regarding DCM. Moreover, the difference in mean age of death between male dogs and females with DCM was investigated, as well as males and females dying from DCM compared to dying from other reasons (i.e. without DCM). The most common causes of death in Swedish Newfoundland dogs were elucidated. This study was also undertaken as a part of a European genetic study, with the aim to identify Newfoundland dogs with and without DCM. Two hundred and fifty-four purebred Newfoundland dogs, among them 104 males and 150 females, had been blood sampled during approximately 20 years and information about them was collected retrospectively by means of autopsy reports and telephone interviews. Seventy-one cases of DCM were found. Males were overrepresented. No significant difference regarding the mean age of death between males and females dying from DCM was observed. Bitches dying from DCM were significantly younger than other bitches. No such difference was observed among the male dogs. Apart from DCM, the four most common causes of death among Newfoundland dogs in Sweden were joint- and skeletal related diseases, tumours, senescence and skin disorders.

Dilaterad kardiomyopati (DCM) är den näst vanligaste hjärtsjukdomen hos hund. Sjukdomen har troligtvis en genetisk faktor då den verkar vara överrepresenterad i vissa raser, däribland Newfoundlandshund. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka huruvida det förekommer någon överrepresentation av något kön avseende DCM. Vidare gjordes en jämförelse av skillnaden i medeldödsålder mellan hanar och tikar med DCM, samt mellan hundar med och utan DCM. De vanligaste dödsorsakerna hos Newfoundlandshundar i Sverige belystes. Studien syftade också till att identifiera sjuka och friska Newfoundlandshundar med avseende på DCM, som underlag till ett europeiskt genforskningsprojekt. Man fann att 254 renrasiga Newfoundlandhundar, varav 104 hanar och 150 tikar, hade provtagits under en 20 årsperiod. Information om dessa samlades in retrospektivt, medelst obduktionssvar eller telefonintervju. Sjuttioen fall av DCM kunde konstateras. Hanar var överrepresenterade. Ingen signifikant skillnad i medeldödsålder mellan hanar och tikar med DCM sågs. Tikar som drabbades av DCM dog dock vid en signifikant lägre ålder än övriga tikar, vilket inte kunde påvisas hos hanarna. De fyra vanligaste dödsorsakerna hos Newfoundlandshundar i Sverige var, förutom DCM, led- och skelettrelaterade sjukdomar, tumörsjukdomar, ålderdom och hudbesvär.