DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY
The most common heart disorder found in the Irish Wolfhound is dilated cardiomyopathy, (DCM) which is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weakened and the heart enlarged as a compensatory factor. The rhythm disturbance usually connected with the disorder is atrial fibrillation (AF). There are several Research Studies investigating this disease specifically in Irish Wolfhounds, (visit the Research page accessed from the main menu) and the IWHG has a Regional Heart Testing Scheme in the UK which encourages breeders and pet owners alike to screen their hounds on an annual basis.
For more information please visit the Heart Testing page,
accessed from the main menu.
There are other ongoing Irish Wolfhound specific Research Projects. The LUPA Project and the Dog Genome Project are both investigating a number of genetic diseases in dogs and include DCM and Osteosarcoma in the Irish Wolfhound.
For more information please go to the Research page,
accessed from the main menu.