An important aspect of diagnosis of this disorder in American cocker spaniels.
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“Differentiating an American cocker spaniel with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) from one with longstanding mitral regurgitation and secondary myocardial failure can be challenging and usually requires echocardiography. Presenting signs may be similar, but accurate diagnosis is important because some American cocker spaniels with DCM will respond to taurine and carnitine supplementation.”
-Carl D. Sammarco, BVSc, MRCVS, DACVIM
From Breed-specific variations of cardiomyopathy in dogs