Dilatated Cardiomyopathy In Two Month Old Puppy

Background: Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease that results in a decreased ability of the cardiac contraction to generate pressure to pump blood through the vascular system. DCM is characterized by dilation of the ventricles with ventricular wall thinning. Purpose: The DCM case in Indonesia is rarely reported; therefore, this paper contains information about dilatated cardiomyopathy in a 2-month-old puppy. Case Analyze: A two-month-old local dog arrived with a complaint about coughing, loss of appetite, fatigue, and swelling on extremities, also having a history of seizures and bloody diarrhea. Physical examination shows that the patient breathes using abdominal type and polypnea, tachycardia pulse, pale mucose, and dehydration. Electrocardiogram result shows tachycardia sinus and abnormality in the depression of ST-segment. Radiography examination shows heart dilation and liquid accumulation in the thoracic cavity and abdomen. Hematology routine examination shows microcytic hyperchromic anemia, leucocytosis, and eosinophilia. Feces examination resulted in negative. Pathology anatomy examination show dilatated cardio, pulmonum hepatization, fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity and abdomen cavity. Result: According to anamnesis, clinical examination, laboratory examination, and anatomy pathology examination can be concluded that the dog, in this case, is diagnosed with dilatated cardiomyopathy.

Diagnosis, Prognosis, Management, Treatment, Research and Advances in Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy involves enlargement of the ventricular chamber and systolic dysfunction. The reduction in quality of life and increased levels of congestive heart failure, combined with the high diagnosis rate within the canine population, highlights the need for research into this disorder. This chapter looks at prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy. It details the disease pathology and physiology through to present clinical practices and studies to support prevention and treatment. This chapter also looks at the research being undertaken to further understand cardiomyopathies in dogs and develop new interventions. This ranges from fatty acids profiles to genetics and even personalized medicine and comparisons with human cardiomyopathy.

Incidence of canine dilated cardiomyopathy, breed and age distributions, and grain-free diet sales in the United States from 2000-2019: A retrospective survey

BackgroundDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is considered a predominantly inherited disease in dogs. Recent reports suggest an increased incidence of DCM in atypical breeds eating grain-free and/or legume-rich diets. However, little data regarding incidence of DCM within the US is available; and no existing data quantifies DCM among breeds over time.HypothesisWe hypothesized that DCM incidence among breeds could be estimated by retrospective polling of veterinary cardiologists. Further, if a correlation existed between grain-free diets and DCM, an increase in DCM would be on trend with increased grain-free pet food sales.Materials and MethodsThirty-six U.S. cardiology specialty practices were asked for all initial canine and DCM cases evaluated from 2000-2019; fourteen cardiology practices participated. DCM signalment data was provided by three hospitals over 15 years; representing 68 breeds. Age distribution of DCM cases upon diagnosis were compared to other cardio cases and general hospital population from one hospital. All data were evaluated using linear regression models. Grain-free pet food sales data was evaluated from 2011-2019.ResultsFourteen hospitals participated and reported 67,243 unique canine patients. Nationally, data did not support a significant change in percent DCM over time (p=0.85). The overall average incidence rate of DCM during the study period was 3.83% (range 2.41-5.65%), while grain-free diet sales increased 500% from 2011-2019. No correlation between overall DCM incidence and grain free diet sales was discovered. A significant upward trend in mixed breeds diagnosed with DCM, with no significant trend in other breeds was appreciated. An upward trend in age at DCM diagnosis was identified, correlating with trends from overall hospital populations.ConclusionsThese data do not support overall increased DCM incidence, or a correlation with grain-free pet food sales. Additional data are necessary to understand whether regional factors contribute to increased DCM within smaller cohorts.

Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been in the literature and news because of the recent opinion-based journal articles and public releases by regulatory agencies. DCM is commonly associated with a genetic predisposition in certain dog breeds and can also occur secondary to other diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Recent communications in veterinary journals have discussed a potential relationship between grain-free and/or novel protein diets to DCM, citing a subjective increase in DCM in dog breeds that are not known to have a genetic predisposition for the disease. This literature review describes clinical presentations of DCM, common sequelae, treatment and preventative measures, histopathologic features, and a discussion of the varied etiological origins of the disease. In addition, current literature limitations are addressed, in order to ascertain multiple variables leading to the development of DCM. Future studies are needed to evaluate one variable at a time and to minimize confounding variables and speculation. Furthermore, to prevent sampling bias with the current FDA reports, the veterinary community should be asked to provide information for all cases of DCM in dogs. This should include cases during the same time period, regardless of the practitioner’s proposed etiology, due to no definitive association between diets with specific characteristics, such as, but not limited to, grain-free diets and those containing legumes, novel protein diets, and those produced by small manufacturers to DCM in dogs. In summary, in order to determine if certain ingredients, categories of diets, or manufacturing processes are related to an increased risk of DCM, further studies investigating these variables are necessary.

242 Effects of different carbohydrate sources on taurine status in healthy Beagle dogs

Consumption of grain-free (GF) diets has recently been linked to canine dilated cardiomyopathy in selected dog breeds. Soluble fiber present in GF carbohydrate sources may be contributing to taurine depletion, thus affecting heart health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different carbohydrate sources on taurine status in healthy Beagle dogs. Two practical diets sufficient in sulfur-amino acids and taurine were formulated with the same proportion of carbohydrate sources: a grain-based (GB) containing sorghum, millet, and spelt, and a GF containing peas, potatoes and tapioca starch. Twelve Beagle dogs were fed experimental diets for 4-wk in a randomized complete block design. The morning prior to feeding experimental diets (baseline) and two and four weeks after, markers of taurine metabolism were analyzed in blood, urine, and fresh fecal samples. Data were analyzed as a change from baseline in a repeated measures model by GLIMMIX (SAS, version 9.4) in which the main effects of time, diet, and their interaction were evaluated. Greater concentrations of taurine in plasma (158 vs. 117 nmol/mL) and whole blood (254 vs. 234 nmol/mL) were observed during experimental period compared to baseline. An increase in plasma methionine was also observed during experimental period compared to baseline (64 vs. 57nmol/mL). Dogs fed GF exhibited higher plasma taurine concentration compared to those fed GB (181 vs. 138 nmol/mL). There were no significant effects of diet, time, or their interaction on plasma cystine concentration, urinary taurine:creatinine ratio, or total fecal bile acid (BA) excretion (P > 0.05). However, dogs fed GF had greater fecal primary BA (26 vs 14%) as a proportion of total BA compared to those fed GB. This study suggests that GF diets do not impair taurine blood concentration, but the increased proportion of fecal primary BA may decrease recycling of taurine through enterohepatic circulation.