Research Update CHF 02661 EY4: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” has resulted in 3 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Journal of Veterinary Research and a 4th one in review.

The results of this work demonstrated higher levels of cardiac troponin I in dogs eating grain-free (GF) dog foods or foods that have peas, lentils or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients compared to dogs eating grain-inclusive (GI) dog foods or foods without peas, lentils, or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02661 EY4: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs”

Research Update CHF 02661 EY2: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet- associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” is progressing on schedule and nearing completion. Enrollment for the first part of the study is complete and a peer-reviewed manuscript describing the results has been published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16075). The results of this part of the study showed higher levels for cardiac troponin I in dogs eating grain-free dog foods or foods that have peas, lentils or potatoes in the top 10 ingredients. Cardiac troponin I is a blood marker that indicates injury to the heart muscle. Even mild elevations can be important but future studies will be needed to determine with certainty that this is the case in these dogs. We did not find echocardiographic (heart ultrasound) differences between dogs eating grain-free and grain-inclusive foods. If the low-level elevation of cardiac troponin I truly indicates low-level heart muscle injury then it may be too early in these healthy dogs to manifest as echocardiographic differences.

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Research Update CHF 02661 MY2: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet-associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” is progressing on schedule. Enrollment for the first part of the study is complete and we are in the midst of statistical analysis of the data in preparation for submission of a publication within the next few months. We are also following dogs enrolled at UF that have bloodwork or echocardiographic abnormalities for a year after a diet change is enacted, to determine if any of the abnormalities will improve with nutritional intervention.

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Research Update End-yr 1 CHF 02661: Investigation into Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

The study titled “Investigation into Subclinical Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Four Dog Breeds” is progressing on schedule. Enrollment for the first part of the study is at approximately 85%. We are aiming to finish enrollment by late spring/early summer, after which time we will concentrate on data collation and statistical analysis for the first part of the study.

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