Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Description

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, or ARVC, is an inherited condition that can affect the muscles of the heart. ARVC is associated with sudden cardiac death and congestive heart failure. It is thought that these are symptoms of irregular heartbeats. ARVC is a recessive mutation that impacts the likelihood of whether or not a dog will develop a heart condition.

While other genetic conditions have “carriers” of the disease with no symptoms, carriers of ARVC are more susceptible to the disease. However, if a dog has two copies of the mutation, they’re very susceptible to the disease. It is important to note that not all dogs that have copies of the mutation will develop symptoms, so it is important to genetically test dogs before breeding.

Dogs affected by ARVC typically begin showing symptoms around 6 years of age, however, this can vary widely. The best method to detect the symptoms of ARVC is through the use of a Holter monitor. A Holter monitor tracks the dog's health using ECG readings over the course of 24 hours. This helps in detecting any abnormalities, such as ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), which may suggest ARVC.

Currently, there is one known mutation that is highly associated with ARVC. Testing for the mutation is helpful; however, it is important to note that this mutation is not necessarily definitive. Not every dog with the ARVC mutation will develop ARVC. There are other unknown mutations responsible for ARVC in a smaller percent of the population. This means that a negative result for the ARVC mutation does not ensure that the dog will not develop ARVC. This is particularly true if the parents of a dog test negative but experience ARVC symptoms.

Additionally, dogs that test positive for ARVC will not necessarily experience symptoms, they are just at a substantially higher risk for developing the disease. Dogs that do test positive should report these results to their veterinarian; proper veterinary care can help manage the condition and promote a healthy life for the dog.