With dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) the heart muscle becomes thinner than normal, is weakened, and results in poor pumping ability, valve leakage and arrhythmia. This loss of the heartâs ability to properly contract is a common acquired disease of the heart in dogs.
Collateral Vessel Closure. Collateral vessels are abnormal blood vessels that connect the aorta with the pulmonary arteries. The aorta is a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to arteries throughout the body. Pulmonary arteries are the vessels that transfer blood from the heart back to the lungs for oxygen.
Damage sometimes occurs to the blood vessels, including those that supply the heart muscle (coronary arteries) and to the heart muscle itself. Part of a coronary wall can be weakened and balloon in an aneurysm. A blood clot can form in this weakened area and block the artery.amage sometimes occurs to the blood vessels, including those that supply the heart muscle (coronary arteries) and to the heart muscle itself. Part of a coronary wall can be weakened and balloon in an aneurysm. A blood clot can form in this weakened area and block the artery.