My dobermann developed a nasty cough like he has something stuck in his throat but only at nighttimes. He has also been wheezing and panting more than normal. After a visit to the vet without even looking at his throat but after listening to his heart she said he had dilated cardiomyopathy. SHe started him on lanoxin there and then and he has gone in today for an ECG and chest xray. SHe also sadi we could not walk him very far now or let him run or even go out in the sun in case his heart packed up ay any time.
Is this right without even looking at his throat?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am distraught.

Omg...... My dog is 11 years old and he's just started coughing and only at night as if something is stuck in his throat...... then he starts to lick the floor.

Now i'm worried because he seems to have the same symptoms as your dog......i need to phone the vets now.

Take care
kerry xxx

I'm very sorry to hear that.  Cardiomyopathy is a common disease in Dobermanns, indeed I lost one of my own to it at just 5yrs old.  Treating the symptoms is the only thing you can do, making your dog comfortable is the best way ahead.  I realise I sound a bit pessimistic, but for DCM there is no cure.  My dog started the same as yours, a cough in the night, he was given diuretics and heart medication, and was quite happy for some time.  How old is your boy?

There is testing going on now for this disease, and Dobermann folk are trying their hardest to find better medication that will slow the progression of it.  The US are helping too as it is as common out there as it is here.
Dawn.

There is a relatively new drug on the market called VetMedin developed in Germany for GSDs & Dobermanns for congestive heart failure your vet could consider this treatment as an option

The cough is a symptoms sadly. Lost one of our Cavaliers just over two weeks ago with CHF

Hi Moonmaiden

My old boys on vetmedin he has been on it for about a year now, vetmedin was prescribed for his enlarged heart.  He's also on frusamide & a green capsule (cant remember the name) for his congestion.  He still has a bit of a cough when he forgets to breath during/after drinking water. Bless him.

Hi..... I took my dog to the vets..... he has a heart murmar (hope i've spelt that right) and he may have bronculitus (hope i've spelt that right too)...... he's on tablets for 10 days, then in 12 days i have to take him back and have him checked again..... then the vet will decide if he needs to be on these tablets for the rest of his days.

DONT PANIC!!!  Heart murmurs are common, especially in old dogs.  My 10yr old crossbreed had a heart murmur and lived on meds for over 3yrs, no problem at all.  I also had a Jack Russell that had a murmur at 8yrs and died at 15 of something completely unrelated.
Dawn.

Rikki(the cavalier was on vetmedin for 8 months & was on frusamide for a while, but he did had a grade 4 murmur & enlarged heart disgnosed last year & cavaliers can go very quickly towards the end

Rikki older half brother has a grade 2/3 murmur bur he is a totally different dog in temperament & character & never coughs or has any problems, he is very very laid back & with my vets knowledge he is on vitamin E & Co Enzyme Q10

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Sorry to hear about your pet.  I am in the same position My 10yr old Afghan has been diagnosed with heart disease.   It started very quickly heart very slow -42 beats to the minute!  The vet did an ECG and a scan -I did not want her x-rayed - and she was put on Fruecare and Vasotop. This worked well for about a week and then sudenly her heart was racing and she was momentarily passing out.  She is now on Vetmedin as well as the others and has been quite well for the last month. I just let her do her own thing and sometimes this really worries me as she races up the field when I call her!  I have been told there is only one lot of tablets left to use so lets hope that it sometime off.

Thanks Dawn..... :D