Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Zeroing in on a Cause

Posted on by Crystal Smith

Dilated cardiomyopathy is most commonly seen as a genetic disease of the heart muscle affecting certain large or giant dog breeds. However, many dogs in the last several years have developed a different form of dilated cardiomyopathy that research has associated with diets that are grain-free or contain pulses (i.e., peas, lentils) and which appear to injure the heart. Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy differs from primary dilated cardiomyopathy because it can affect dogs of any breed and can improve if diet is changed. Nonetheless, diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy remains a potentially deadly disease that has caused – and continues to cause – significant harm to dogs, so it is important to identify the cause quickly.

Researchers have found some evidence of a specific type of damage to heart cells visible only by an electron microscope. This research will help to zero in on the cause of this devastating disease and lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 03275

RESEARCHERS

Lisa Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN; Tufts University

Amount: $5,000

Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious disease of the heart muscle whereby the heart becomes enlarged with weak contractions. DCM can result in  abnormal heart rhythms, congestive heart failure or sudden death. In dogs, DCM most often occurs in large- and giant-breeds, such as Doberman  Pinschers, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, and Great Danes; in these dogs, survival time after diagnosis is often only months, even with aggressive medical  therapy.

Recently, veterinary cardiologists have recognized DCM more frequently in all breeds of dogs including mixed breeds, and even those not  usually associated with DCM. There is suspicion that the disease in some dogs is associated with boutique, exotic ingredient, or grain-free (BEG) diets. Some affected dogs on such diets have shown reversal or improvement of their disease after changing their diet, supporting a potential association  between consumption of a BEG diet and development of DCM. A specific cause, however, has not been identified, despite extensive nutritional testing of  the dog foods and the canine patients. Moreover, the extent of the problem is unknown because only dogs that are symptomatic for DCM have been  reported. It is possible that more dogs may be affected but not yet showing signs of heart disease.

To investigate the extent of diet-associated heart  problems in dogs, this multi-institutional team of veterinary cardiologists and nutritionists will prospectively screen a large population of apparently  healthy dogs for DCM and compare important cardiac disease measures, including ultrasound of the heart, blood biomarker and taurine concentrations,  and the frequency of DCM in dogs eating BEG versus non-BEG diets.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 02661

RESEARCHERS

Darcy Adin, DVM; University of California, Davis
Amount: $5,000 (May 2019) $5,000 (November 2019)