A group of researchers have shown that some dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy have a deficiency of L-carnitine. A partial reversal of dilated cardiomyopathy was observed in some dogs given a diet supplemented in L-carnitine.

Presently, there is no readily available method for assessing the quantity of L-carnitine in heart muscle. Medication is sometimes prescribed when blood serum L-carnitine levels are low.

Clients should realize that L-carnitine administration is completely empirical. There is no documented proof that L-carnitine is a treatment or prevention for dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.