![]() Compared to baseline values, feeding the Test diet for 28 days caused progressive, significant ( p < 0.001) decreases in red blood cell counts (RBC), hematocrit and total hemoglobin by 7.7, 8.3 and 6.3%, respectively, and a 41.8% increase in plasma inorganic phosphate. The EHRs of dogs at Banfield® Pet Hospitals in the 2-year period 2018-2019 were surveyed, revealing 420 dogs diagnosed with DCM, which were compared with 420 breed, gender and age-matched healthy control dogs. Blood and urine samples collected at baseline and days 3, 14 and 28/30 were analyzed for hematology, clinical biochemistry and taurine concentrations. Control and Test diets were fed to Labrador retriever dogs for 30 days ( n = 5 and 6, respectively). To help understand the clinical relevance of the findings, a survey of electronic health records (EHR) was conducted of dogs with and without suspected DCM for comparison. If indicated, consider changing to a diet made by a well-established manufacturer that contains sufficient levels of high quality, animal-source protein, does not include plant-source proteins as its primary protein source, and does not contain high levels of dietary fiber.Early responses in healthy adult dogs fed grain-free diets with high inclusion of split peas (20%) and lentils (40%) that may lead to canine diet-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were investigated. This includes foods, snacks, treats, table food, chew toys. Golden retrievers are recommended to have taurine supplemented if levels are in the low normal reference range.įor all other dogs, discuss with your veterinarian your pets diet history. If you have a large breed dog breed predisposed to DCM, schedule a visit with your veterinarian for an exam, to discuss the diet history, and to possibly measure taurine levels. What is also apparent is there is no direct cause and effect relationship proven between these grain free, or home prepared diets, as other factors may play a role. Whole chicken is mostly water, so in fact there is very little chicken protein in this food, it is mostly plant legume protein. ![]() It looks like this diet is most chicken, but in reality not. For example, look at a food with the first ingredient chicken, and the next two ingredients pea protein and lentils. What this means, is that you cannot read a pet food label and know if the food is complete and nutritious. There are some patients that have DCM from other, unrelated dietary factors. The processing of the food or the nutritional bioavailability also affects taurine. It may be from a reduced bioavailability of taurine, increased excretion of taurine in the urine, altered metabolism of taurine related to fiber and intestinal microbes. It is unclear the direct cause of the taurine deficiency. They may cause nutrition imbalances (like low taurine), or contain toxic dietary substances. The grain free, novel protein diets predispose our canine patients in a number of possible ways. Patients diagnosed later in the disease may have irreversible heart damage.Ĭertain breeds are at risk: golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs, Newfoundland’s, English setters, Irish wolfhounds. This condition is treatable if discovered early on by supplementing the patient with the amino acid taurine and feeding a low sodium, balanced diet. There is some evidence suggesting certain boutique, novel protein, grain-free diets for dogs are contributing to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
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