My 4 year old weimaraner, Skye, collapsed and died within a couple of minute whilst out walking a few weeks ago.
I still can`t get over it, it was shocking to say the least.
The vet "thinks" it was probably dilated cardiomyopathy, although no post mortem was offered at the time, and I wasn`t thinking straight to request one until it was too late.
I have read a little about this condition, it seems there are usually ongoing symptoms and it usually affects older dogs.
She had no symptoms whatsoever, she was a big strong healthy dog, or so it seemed.
She hadn`t eaten before going out, or whilst out walking.
Can anyone please shed some light on this condition, or if they have lost their dog in similar circumstances.
                                       Sadie

Hi Sadie, I don't know much about health problems specifically affecting weimaraners but what you describe is the way that most dobermann owners find out that their dog has DCM - it is possible for the dog to show no symptons whatsoever and also it can occur in young dogs   :(   I'm so sorry you lost Skye in this way, I personally knew 2 dobermanns who died in this way - they were both under 7 years old.

Angela x 

thanks for taking the time to let me know it can and does happen with no warning.
Sadie

sorry to here about your loss sadie! :(

Hi Sadie

I am sorry to hear about Sky - some dogs show symptoms of DCM such as coughing, swollen stomachs, lethargy and others just drop as Sky did.  They will all have had the disease for some time before it outwardly manifests itself but some dogs show no symptoms whatsoever until the end.

I am so sorry for your loss sadie :-(
why dont you join us and you will find lots of help and support :-)

Hi Sadie,

Sorry to hear about our dog, it must have been a shock!!
Join us, you will learn a lot from some very nice and experienced people
on here. Sometimes they are very truthfull. But!!! that's not a bad thing.
Regards
Denese

Run free Skye :-( My thoughts are with you Sadie xxxxx

Hi Sadie,

So sorry to hear of your loss :(

Lynn

Sadie sorry to read about the loss of Skye.
4 is such a young age to lose a dog.

I notice that no-one has yet suggested that you do go back to the breeder and advise
that your vet suspected dilated cardiomyopathy (although no post mortem performed).
As this can be hereditary and breeders need to know if there are any health problems
that affect their breeding lines.
The breeder may be grateful or defensive and deny that there is any problem with their
breeding lines. But at least you have informed them of a 'potential' problem.

Boxers have also been recently affected by cardiomyopathy. Or only recently has it become apparant
that we have a problem, whilst there are some breeders trying to do the right thing there are also those
that refuse to see that there is a problem :(
I know of two people that have recently lost their Boxers to this dreadful disease, one was an oldie
and the other was 5 days short of her fifth birthday. In Boxers there seem to be two types of CM
one that affects oldies and the other that affects very young dogs commonly those upto 5 years old.
I think the Dobermann breed is further ahead in the UK with research, in the US the Boxer cardiomyopathy
research is further ahead than here.

I did contact the breeder, unfortunately as you mentioned, she completely denied any problems with the rest of the litter, which might be the case of course, but she didn`t seem surprised when I told her or alarmed regarding her dogs or the ones that others have.
She was adamant that there was no problems within her breed, which I found a little strange, how would she know for sure? I thought Skye was healthy.........
Does anyone know if there are any tests that can be done when they are pups to see if DCM runs in the line?  And if one dog dies from it like mine did, how likey would it be for none of the other 10 from that litter to have it?
This is the first place I have found support and help and valuable knowledge,thanks again.
                                                                                                                         Sadie