Dilated cardiomyopathy in cats: survey of veterinary cardiologists and retrospective evaluation of a possible association with diet

Karp, Shelby I.; Freeman, Lisa M.; Arsenault, Wendy G.; Cunningham, Suzanne M.; DeFrancesco, Teresa C.; Karlin, Emily T; Laste, Nancy J.; Lefbom, Bonnie K.; Planté, C.; Rodriguez, Kiira T.; Tyrrell, William D.; Yang, Vicky

doi:10.1016/j.jvc.2021.11.002

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This is consistent with a previous retrospective study 14 of dogs of multiple breeds with DCM and with cats with DCM. 21 In the current study, it was possible that survival time for dogs in the nontraditional diet group that did not change diets was too short for there to be time to change the diet. However, survival time for dogs eating nontraditional diets that changed diets was not significantly different from dogs eating traditional diets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Most cases (n = 84) were from the US, with 18 states represented; cases were also submitted from Canada (6) and Germany (1). All DCM cases were diagnosed between January 2015 and August 31, 2022, as follows: 2015 (n = 1), 2016 (0), 2017 (2), 2018 (10), 2019 (22), 2020 (20), 2021 (21), and 2022 (through August 31; 15). At the time of DCM diagnosis, 76 dogs were eating commercial diets, 1 dog was eating a homemade diet, and diet was unknown or there was insufficient information available to determine whether the diet was nontraditional or traditional in 14 dogs (Figure 1).…”

Section: Dcm Groupmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pit bull–type breeds with dilated cardiomyopathy eating nontraditional diets improve after diet change (2015–2022)

Fischer

Freeman

2023

javma

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OBJECTIVE To compare signalment, clinical signs, diet, echocardiographic findings, and outcome for pit bull–type breeds diagnosed between 2015 and 2022 with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or with DCM diagnosed by a cardiologist but that did not meet all study echocardiographic criteria (DCM-C). ANIMALS 91 dogs with DCM and 11 dogs with DCM-C. PROCEDURES Data were collected on clinical findings, echocardiographic measurements, and diet at the time of diagnosis (for 76/91 dogs); echocardiographic changes; and survival. RESULTS For dogs with diet information available for time of diagnosis, 64/76 (84%) dogs were eating nontraditional commercial diets, while 12/76 (16%) were eating traditional commercial diets. There were few differences between diet groups at baseline, with congestive heart failure and arrhythmias common in both groups. Thirty-four dogs with known baseline diet and diet change status had follow-up echocardiograms between 60 and 1,076 days later (traditional diet, n = 7; nontraditional diet that changed diets, 27; and nontraditional diet group without diet change, 0). Dogs in the nontraditional diet group that changed diets had a significantly greater decrease in normalized left ventricular diameter (diastolic, P = .02; systolic, P = .048) and the left atrium-to-aorta ratio (P = .002) and a significantly greater increase in fractional shortening (P = .02) compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Dogs eating nontraditional diets with diet change (n = 45; P < .001) and dogs eating traditional diets (12; P < .001) had a significantly longer survival time compared to dogs eating nontraditional diets without diet change (4). Dogs with DCM-C also had significant echocardiographic improvements after diet change. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Congestive heart failure and arrhythmias were common in pit bull–type breeds with DCM. Those eating nontraditional diets that changed diets had significant improvements in echocardiographic measurements after diet change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Dcm Groupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pit bull–type breeds with dilated cardiomyopathy eating nontraditional diets improve after diet change (2015–2022)

Fischer

Freeman

2023

javma

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“…12,17 Definitions for associated diets have varied among studies and have been refined over time as new data have been published on this disease. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]23 Highpulse diets in our study were defined as those having at least one pulse in the top-five ingredients or at least two pulses in the top-10 ingredients on the diet's ingredient list, whereas many of the studies in dogs have defined 'non-traditional' diets as those containing pulses/ potatoes in the top-10 ingredients or those classified as 'grain-free'. This definition might require further refinement, and the pulse score may be helpful in the future for defining study groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 22 However, a recent survey identified that 15% of veterinary cardiologists surveyed perceived an increase in the number of cats being diagnosed with DCM between 2018 and 2020, and that some of these cats improved with a diet change, despite normal taurine concentrations. 23 Additionally, a retrospective, multicenter study of 37 cats with DCM found that 38% of cats for which diet could be determined were eating high-pulse diets and that taurine deficiency was uncommon. 23 An additional finding was that cats eating high-pulse diets that changed diet (n = 8) had a longer survival time than cats eating high-pulse diets that did not change diet (n = 6) or cats eating low-pulse diets (n = 20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 23 Additionally, a retrospective, multicenter study of 37 cats with DCM found that 38% of cats for which diet could be determined were eating high-pulse diets and that taurine deficiency was uncommon. 23 An additional finding was that cats eating high-pulse diets that changed diet (n = 8) had a longer survival time than cats eating high-pulse diets that did not change diet (n = 6) or cats eating low-pulse diets (n = 20). 23 While much additional research is needed to be able to substantiate a possible association between diet and feline DCM, these results support the hypothesis that cats with DCM eating high-pulse diets might have a secondary daDCM unrelated to taurine deficiency which might improve with diet change, similar to what has been seen in dogs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of echocardiography, biomarkers and taurine concentrations in cats eating high- or low-pulse diets

Karp

Freeman

Karlin

et al. 2023

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

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Objectives There are ongoing investigations into diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, but there has been minimal investigation into possible diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. The objective of this study was to compare cardiac size and function, cardiac biomarkers and taurine concentrations in healthy cats eating high- vs low-pulse diets. We hypothesized that cats eating high-pulse diets would have larger hearts, lower systolic function and higher biomarker concentrations than cats eating low-pulse diets and that there would be no difference in taurine concentrations between the diet groups. Methods Echocardiographic measurements, cardiac biomarkers, and plasma and whole-blood taurine concentrations were compared between cats eating high- and low-pulse commercial dry diets in a cross-sectional study. Results There were no differences between the high- (n = 21) and low-pulse (n = 31) diet groups with regard to age, sex and breed, but more cats in the high-pulse group were overweight or obese (67% vs 39%; P = 0.05). Diet duration was not different in the groups, but the range was wide (6–120 months). No differences were found between the diet groups for key cardiac measurements, biomarker concentrations, or plasma or whole-blood taurine concentrations. However, there were significant negative correlations between diet duration and measures of left ventricular wall thickness in the high-pulse, but not the low-pulse, diet group. Conclusions and relevance This study did not detect significant associations between high-pulse diets and cardiac size, function and biomarkers, but the secondary observation of significant negative correlations between time on high-pulse diets and left ventricular wall thickness warrants further evaluation.

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Nutritional Management of Cardiovascular Diseases

Freeman,

Rush

2023

Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition

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Dilated cardiomyopathy in cats: survey of veterinary cardiologists and retrospective evaluation of a possible association with diet

Cited by 4 publications

References 11 publications

Pit bull–type breeds with dilated cardiomyopathy eating nontraditional diets improve after diet change (2015–2022)

Pit bull–type breeds with dilated cardiomyopathy eating nontraditional diets improve after diet change (2015–2022)

Comparison of echocardiography, biomarkers and taurine concentrations in cats eating high- or low-pulse diets

Nutritional Management of Cardiovascular Diseases

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