Client handout
Share the basics with your veterinary clients with this printable handout . As a veterinary professional, if you want to dive into what we know about grain-free diets and the possible connection to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs, you can read this or this or this or this.
The Cardiology Service has developed this document in response to the alerts from the FDA. These alerts identify an associated risk for some grain-free diets containing certain ingredients (legumes like peas, pea components, lentils; white potatoes, sweet potatoes) and a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The links provided throughout this document can be copied and pasted to obtain ...
PDF Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Grain Free Diets
Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Grain Free Diets 1. What is canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and how does non-hereditary DCM differ from the genetic form? DCM is a disease of a dog's heart muscle and results in an enlarged heart.
For example, deficiencies of certain nutrients, such as taurine or some B vitamins, can cause a secondary DCM. In 2018, the United States FDA issued an alert about a potential association between a unique secondary form of DCM—not breed specific—and diets that are grain-free or contain pulses (pulses are peas, lentils, chickpeas, and dry ...
Grain Free DCM
Yes, you read it right. Non-hereditary (nutritional) dilated cardiomyopathy linked to grain free and boutique/exotic diets is still a problem, and it was never a case closed. However, unfortunately…
In New Zealand, where we remain blissfully free of heartworm, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is probably the second most common cardiac disease affecting dogs, after myxomatous valvular degeneration. DCM should strictly be defined as a primary myocardial disorder characterized by reduced contractility, and ventricular dilation involving the left or both ventricles, and is idiopathic or genetic ...
Overview of Client Handout Are Grain Free Diets Causing Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet -associated concerns. J Anim Sci 2020;98:1-20. Related Peer-Reviewed Publications on Nutritional Effects of Grain-Free Diets Pezzali JG, Aldrich CG. Effect of ancient grains and grain-free carbohydrate sources on extrusion parameters and nutrient utilization by dogs.
This article provides a summary of our current understanding of diet -associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), how to recognize it, and a recommended protocol for veterinarians to follow when they see dogs with DCM.
Diets and Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats
The only common link to diet -associated cardiomyopathy that's been observed is " grain-free " diets .
Since diet -associated dilated cardiomyopathy was identified, researchers have linked it to diets with peas, lentils, and possibly potatoes. Learn more.