The most common heart problem and the one of greatest concern was dilated cardiomyopathy (five dogs had this disease, in which the heart muscle enlarges,becomes flabby, and can no longer function).

In mouse models of the disease, researchers have discovered that signals from the spinal cord are too weak to reach the diaphragm — the muscle that controls breathing.

Scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in the treatment of a severe muscle disease that causes floppy baby syndrome.