Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?

Freeman, Lisa M.; Stern, Joshua A.; Fries, Ryan; Adin, Darcy B.; Rush, John E.

doi:10.2460/javma.253.11.1390

Cited by 51 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The current study affirmed our hypothesis and further validates the findings of multiple previous studies and the FDA alert [28][29][30][31][32]. Grain free diets, produced by small companies, including legumes within the top 5 ingredients represent a risk for the development of taurine deficiency and echocardiographic abnormalities consistent with DCM in the golden retriever.…”

Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Nutritionally mediated DCM has been described across a variety of species including dogs and is most historically linked to taurine deficiency [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Recent peerreviewed research on DCM in breeds that were not previously known to have a genetic etiology has raised concern about the relationship between diets with certain characteristics and the development of nutritionally-mediated DCM [28][29][30]. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning and subsequently released data that identified dietary characteristics which were over-represented in consumer concern reports [31,32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of plasma and whole blood taurine reference ranges and identification of dietary features associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers: A prospective, observational study

Ontiveros

Whelchel

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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Introduction A surge in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consumer complaints identified concerns that legume-rich, grain-free diets were associated with nutritionally-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Golden retrievers represent the most reported breed affected by this condition and previous studies documented the disease is responsive to dietary change and taurine supplementation. Although dietary findings across cases are compelling, prospective studies with control groups are lacking. The role of diet in developing taurine deficiency and echocardiographic changes consistent with DCM in healthy dogs is unknown. Objectives We hypothesized that golden retrievers eating non-traditional diets are at a higher risk of having taurine deficiency and nutritionally-mediated DCM compared with those eating traditional commercial diets. We aimed to compare taurine concentrations and echocardiographic indices of systolic function between golden retrievers in each diet group and elucidate associations between diet and these variables. Additionally, we aimed to generate breed-specific reference intervals for whole blood and plasma taurine concentrations. Animals 86 golden retrievers.

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Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of plasma and whole blood taurine reference ranges and identification of dietary features associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers: A prospective, observational study

Ontiveros

Whelchel

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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“…Concern over the relationship between certain diets and DCM has risen over the past few years [7][8][9][24][25][26][27][28]. An increase in total DCM cases in Golden retrievers eating grain-free diets has been reported in peer-reviewed literature [7,16,23], though recently an Expression of Concern was reported by the editors [29], leading to further confusion regarding the issue of diet and DCM.…”

Section: One Veterinary Hospital Provided Age Distribution Date Over mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While our data reveals that retrievers (including goldens, Labradors, and Chesapeake Bay) have been diagnosed with DCM over the past 15 years, an increased incidence was not supported. Further anecdotal reports state cases of DCM increasing in atypical breeds [7][8][9][24][25][26][27], but no measurable data was previously available to support these claims. Our data support a weak upward trend in "atypical breeds," including mixed breeds (statistically significant trend), and other small and large breeds (not statistically significant)…”

Section: One Veterinary Hospital Provided Age Distribution Date Over mentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, breed and age distributions, and grain-free diet sales in the United States from 2000-2019: A retrospective survey

Quest¹,

Clark²,

Garimella³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is considered a predominantly inherited disease in dogs. Recent reports suggest an increased incidence of DCM in atypical breeds eating grain-free and/or legume-rich diets. However, little data regarding incidence of DCM within the US is available; and no existing data quantifies DCM among breeds over time.HypothesisWe hypothesized that DCM incidence among breeds could be estimated by retrospective polling of veterinary cardiologists. Further, if a correlation existed between grain-free diets and DCM, an increase in DCM would be on trend with increased grain-free pet food sales.Materials and MethodsThirty-six U.S. cardiology specialty practices were asked for all initial canine and DCM cases evaluated from 2000-2019; fourteen cardiology practices participated. DCM signalment data was provided by three hospitals over 15 years; representing 68 breeds. Age distribution of DCM cases upon diagnosis were compared to other cardio cases and general hospital population from one hospital. All data were evaluated using linear regression models. Grain-free pet food sales data was evaluated from 2011-2019.ResultsFourteen hospitals participated and reported 67,243 unique canine patients. Nationally, data did not support a significant change in percent DCM over time (p=0.85). The overall average incidence rate of DCM during the study period was 3.83% (range 2.41-5.65%), while grain-free diet sales increased 500% from 2011-2019. No correlation between overall DCM incidence and grain free diet sales was discovered. A significant upward trend in mixed breeds diagnosed with DCM, with no significant trend in other breeds was appreciated. An upward trend in age at DCM diagnosis was identified, correlating with trends from overall hospital populations.ConclusionsThese data do not support overall increased DCM incidence, or a correlation with grain-free pet food sales. Additional data are necessary to understand whether regional factors contribute to increased DCM within smaller cohorts.

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“…However, evidence suggests that taurine is essential in fox diets, and dog diets that are formulated to be low in protein or necessary precursor molecules (Backus et al 2003) can produce clinical symptoms of deficiency. This has been further complicated with specific commercial diet formulations being putatively linked to apparent taurine deficiency symptoms in the domestic dog (Freeman et al 2018), suggesting a possible nutritional value in ensuring a dietary taurine supply. Indeed, taurine supplementation is indicated for captive maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), a predominantly frugivorous South American canid, following concerns about plasma taurine concentrations in animal-fed diets formulated to manage cystinuria (Childs-Sanford and Angel 2006).…”

Section: Canine Nutritional Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canine Diet

Boyd¹

2020

Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior

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Canine diet refers to the food intake by members of the Canidae family. Dietary intake and choices of canids are closely aligned to their behavioral, dental, anatomical, and physiological characteristics associated with ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. In addition, the spatial and temporal availability of feedstuffs will impact on dietary intake and preferences. The diversity of members of the Canidae family results in a variety of potential diets, most notably observed in the domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, where human intervention and management typically regulates dietary choices and intake, occasionally in conflict with the nutritional needs of the species. For wild and free-living canids, diet is more closely impacted by typical ecological pressures such as seasonality, prey density, predator population density, intra-and interspecies relationships, and, increasingly, anthropogenic effects.

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Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?

Cited by 51 publications

References 23 publications

Development of plasma and whole blood taurine reference ranges and identification of dietary features associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers: A prospective, observational study

Development of plasma and whole blood taurine reference ranges and identification of dietary features associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers: A prospective, observational study

Incidence of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, breed and age distributions, and grain-free diet sales in the United States from 2000-2019: A retrospective survey

Canine Diet

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