Stray Thoughts Winter 2019
Pet Health Watch with Dr. Main
Is There a Link Between Grain Free
Diets and Heart Disease?
W
ithin the veterinary community there is a growing
concern – that particularly boutique grain free diets
may be causing a specific form of heart disease called
dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
involves heart enlargement and reduced contractility of
the heart wall muscle. DCM is a life threatening condition
often involving congestive heart failure, dangerous
arrhythmias, and death.
This condition was common in
our feline patients in the 1980’s
and was specifically linked to
a deficiency of the amino acid
taurine. Once food companies
began fortifying their diets with
taurine the disease disappeared.
Currently taurine deficiency is
suspected in many boutique grain
free diets, and is likely the cause
of the increased numbers of DCM in our dog pets today.
In many cases of DCM, taurine levels were measured and
found to be deficient.
In dogs DCM typically occurs in large breeds like
Doberman pinschers, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, and
Great Danes, where it is thought to have a genetic
component. Recently, veterinary cardiologists have
been reporting increased rates of DCM in dogs. This is
occurring in the typical breeds, but also in breeds like the
Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and French
Bulldog. There is suspicion the disease is associated
eating grain free diets, with some dogs improving when
their diet is changed.
Currently the FDA and interested veterinary cardiologists
are researching the role of taurine in DCM. The latest
thinking is that some cases of DCM are related to diet
and a second group are related to an unidentified factor.
Ultimately researchers will solve the puzzle.
In the last several years veterinary nutritionists have
seen many cases of dietary deficiencies related to home
prepared diets, raw diets, and boutique commercial pet
foods. Unfortunately the powerful marketing strategies
to sell pet foods are unsupported by nutritional science.
This includes grain free and exotic ingredient diets. In
one study a single ingredient was measured in 90 canned
pet foods. The result showed that 15% of the diets were
deficient in that nutrient. Clearly nutritional expertise or
rigorous quality control is lacking for some manufacturers.
At this time there is no proof that grain free is better.
Much of the grain free movement is driven by concern
over food allergies. The fact is food allergies are
uncommon. Food allergies represent less than two
percent of the pet population with allergic disease. Yet
grains in pet food provide needed nutrition in the areas of
proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
If you are feeding a boutique, grain free, or exotic
ingredient diet consider making a change. If a change
is not in the cards, then watch for early signs of heart
disease like weakness, slowing down, exercise –
intolerance, shortness of breath, coughing, or fainting.
In the event of heart disease symptoms see your
veterinarian. Chest radiographs, heart ultrasound, ECG,
and taurine levels may be performed. Additionally a diet
change, taurine supplement, and heart medications may
be helpful.
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