Читать книгу Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team - Группа авторов - Страница 334

Mrs Thompson presented her 2‐year‐old Doberman pinscher, Brutus, for routine evaluation and vaccination. Brutus had genetic testing as a puppy and was found to be “affected” on a DNA test for dilated cardiomyopathy. Initially Mrs Thompson was quite concerned and considered relinquishing Brutus to a shelter, but the veterinary team at ABC Animal Hospital helped put things in perspective.

It was true that Brutus had the PDK4 (DCM1) mutation that was associated with an increased risk for dilated cardiomyopathy, but she now understood that the mutation did not cause the disease (it was just associated with increased risk in a certain cohort of Doberman pinschers), was not the only mutation associated with the disease, and that there were also other factors that could influence cardiomyopathy onset in a complex manner. In fact, she also read about some diets that could possibly be associated with the disease in a number of different breeds.

The team at ABC Animal Hospital helped establish a sensible ongoing screening protocol with their local veterinary cardiologist, and Mrs Thompson felt quite relieved that they had identified a risk factor, but now had a sensible program in place to make sure Brutus would have the care he needed.