![]() ![]() Since this initial observation, Stern has been recruiting and studying golden retrievers with DCM and taurine deficiency. Although dogs have the ability to manufacture taurine, it has been known for some time that low levels of taurine are associated with a potentially reversible form of DCM. Taurine is an amino acid that dogs get naturally in their diets and manufacture from other building blocks contained in the food. This diagnosis of DCM was coupled with another finding that many of the dogs were eating the same grain-free diet and had blood tests confirming low taurine levels. Golden retrievers were being diagnosed more frequently with DCM-a disease not commonly associated with this breed. Josh Stern, a veterinary cardiologist and geneticist at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, began seeing an alarming trend in cases at the veterinary hospital two years ago. While the most common cause of DCM is genetic, on rare occasions other factors can also result in the condition, particularly in breeds that are not frequently affected.ĭr. The alterations in heart function and structure can result in severe consequences such as congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that leads to reduced heart pumping function and increased heart size. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |