Effects of dietary fat and L-carnitine on plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations and cardiac function in healthy dogs fed protein-restricted diets

Abstract

Results revealed that dogs fed protein-restricted diets can develop decreased taurine concentrations; therefore, protein-restricted diets should be supplemented with taurine. Dietary methionine and cystine concentrations at or above AAFCO recommended minimum requirements did not prevent decreased taurine concentrations. The possibility exists that AAFCO recommended minimum requirements are not adequate for dogs consuming protein-restricted diets. Our results also revealed that, similar to cats, dogs can develop DCM secondary to taurine deficiency, and taurine supplementation can result in substantial improvement in cardiac function.

Nutrition and cardiomyopathy: Lessons from spontaneous animal models

“…Some dog breeds may be predisposed to taurine deficiency when fed certain types of diets because of higher requirements or breed-specific metabolic abnormalities [43]. In one study, however, a group of Beagles (which do not normally develop DCM) fed a low taurine, very low protein diet for 48 months had a decrease in whole blood taurine concentrations, and one of the 16 dogs developed DCM [44].…”

“…Another interesting issue with taurine deficiency in dogs with DCM is that, although at least four small studies have shown beneficial effects of taurine supplementation in dogs with DCM and taurine deficiency [14,36,38,44] the results are generally not as dramatic as in cats with DCM. Some of the potential benefits of taurine in dogs with DCM may be due to its positive inotropic effects or role in calcium regulation in the myocardium.…”

Protein Requirements

“…[80][81][82] The presence of increased incidence of DCM in American Cocker Spaniels and Newfoundlands may reflect a genetic anomaly in taurine homeostasis that makes certain breeds more susceptible to taurine-responsive DCM. As a result, a need for dietary taurine has not been generally recognized in dogs.…”

“…[80][81][82] The presence of increased incidence of DCM in American Cocker Spaniels and Newfoundlands may reflect a genetic anomaly in taurine homeostasis that makes certain breeds more susceptible to taurine-responsive DCM. 82 Another study identified lamb meal as a consistent dietary ingredient of commercial dog foods that were associated with reduced plasma and whole-blood taurine concentrations in healthy dogs. 85 Dietary factors that are important considerations for taurine status in dogs include low dietary protein, feeding a primary protein source that contains low or less available SAAs, and the use of rice bran.…”

Biochemical and physiological observations in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) at two zoos during a dietary transition to a diet designed for insectivores

“…Although some animals, for example dogs, are able to synthesize taurine, others, like cats, are completely dependent on a dietary supply [Pion et al, 1987], owing to differences in the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase [de la Rosa and Stipanuk, 1985;Jacobsen et al, 1964]. Taurine deficiencies have been found in dogs fed with purified diets [Sanderson et al, 2001] or commercial diets Torres et al, 2003], young foxes on a taurine-deficient diet [Moise et al, 1991], and maned wolves on a sulfur amino acid-restricted commercial diet [Childs-Sanford and Angel, 2006].…”