Dilated cardiomyopathy in cats can be caused by taurine
Taurine
Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an organic compound that is widely distributed in animal tissues. It is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine, and accounts for up to 0.1% of total human body weight. Taurine is named after the Latin taurus which means bul…
Is there a diet-associated DCM in cats?
Has diet-associated DCM been seen in cats? The association between BEG diets and heart disease has only been reported in dogs so far. However, that doesn’t mean cats are immune. If your cat is diagnosed with DCM and is eating a BEG, vegetarian, vegan, or home-prepared diet, I recommend following the same protocol as described for dogs with DCM.
Is there enough taurine in cat food to prevent DCM?
This finding led to reformulations of taurine levels in the diet such that reputable commercial cat foods now contain enough taurine to prevent DCM.13
Can dogs with DCM eat a beg diet?
If your cat is diagnosed with DCM and is eating a BEG, vegetarian, vegan, or home-prepared diet, I recommend following the same protocol as described for dogs with DCM. Lastly, if your dog has been eating a BEG diet and has been diagnosed with DCM, please don’t feel guilty.
How common is DCM in dogs on grain-free diets?
Some have commented that this amounts to just a miniscule percentage of all dogs eating grain-free or other suspected diets. It is true that not every dog eating one of these diets will develop DCM, but there are a number of important factors to consider about the FDA’s numbers: Not all DCM cases are reported to the FDA.
What do you feed a cat with congestive heart failure?
Feed the cat from a different type of dish (e.g., a new cat food dish or a human dinner plate). Try feeding in a different location in the house. Add homemade chicken, beef, or fish broth to the food (even low sodium store-bought broths are too high in sodium).
Do cats get DCM from grain-free food?
posted: May 23, 2019. Well-intentioned pet owners who've been feeding their cats a grain-free diet — thinking that what's beneficial for humans is good for cats — have discovered that it can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition otherwise known as DCM.
How can I help my cat with cardiomyopathy?
Low sodium diets are often recommended for cats with idiopathic cardiomyopathy. This may decrease the risk of developing congestive heart failure and hypertension. Cat treats are often quite salty and should be avoided. Your veterinarian will make specific dietary recommendations, based on your pet's condition.
How long can a cat live with dilated cardiomyopathy?
They can also die without warning. Cats with severe disease generally have a poor prognosis. These cats usually don't live longer than six months after diagnosis.
How do you prevent DCM in cats?
Your Pet's Diet Cooperation between veterinary cardiologists, nutritionists, and the USFDA has confirmed that the increase in canine and feline DCM is linked to grain-free diets. The dogs and cats affected are often being fed boutique diets that contain exotic meats and are grain-free.
Does Purina cause DCM?
Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, and Purina Pro Plan have all had extensive scientific studies conducted regarding the quality and safety of their ingredients. Furthermore, there have been no reported cases of DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in conjunction with these brands.
What should I feed my cat with HCM?
Canola and flaxseed oils do not contain preformed EPA and DHA and require conversion from shorter chain omega-3 fats. Cats lack the ability to effectively make that conversion, so fish oil supplementation is the preferred choice for cats with HCM.
How long can a cat take furosemide?
It is by far the most commonly used diuretic in veterinary medicine, and is one of the few drugs that are widely agreed upon to extend the duration and quality of life in cats with CHF. It is generally administered one to several times a day for the remainder of a cat's life after diagnosis of CHF.
Is thickening of the heart wall reversible?
There is no treatment which can reverse the changes of the heart muscle. Treatment aims to ease symptoms if they occur and to prevent complications. If you do not have any symptoms or you only have mild symptoms then you may not need any treatment.
Can dilated cardiomyopathy be reversed in cats?
The prognosis for felines with dilated cardiomyopathy is variable, depending on the underlying cause. Taurine deficiencies are reversible and if treated promptly; most felines live a long life. However, DCM that does not have an identified cause will greatly shorten the feline's life span.
Should you euthanize a cat with congestive heart failure?
If the pet has a condition like congestive heart failure, or untreatable brain cancer — a disease that will, unchecked, lead to a painful death — the recommendation may be for euthanasia sooner instead of later.
What can be done for a cat with an enlarged heart?
Hospital treatment for congestive heart failure will normally include supplemental oxygen therapy, diuretic drugs for relieving fluid retention, nitroglycerin for improving blood flow, and low dosages of dobutamine to stimulate heart contractility and cardiac output.
Is heart failure in cats painful?
Some cats with heart disease can develop a painful, paralyzing condition called saddle thrombus. This condition is caused when a blood clot develops in the heart and moves out of the aorta blocking blood flow to a cat's hind legs.
Should I euthanize my cat with CHF?
If the pet has a condition like congestive heart failure, or untreatable brain cancer — a disease that will, unchecked, lead to a painful death — the recommendation may be for euthanasia sooner instead of later.
Can a cat recover from heart failure?
Is It Curable? Unfortunately, most of the damage that occurs in the heart during heart failure is usually irreversible. However, with proper treatment you may be able to temporarily correct fluid buildup in the chest, lungs, or abdomen and start your cat on medications that help slow any further damage to the heart.
How Long Can cats live with CHF?
In general, the average prognosis for a cat that has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure is 6 to 12 months of life. Cats that have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure will need frequent veterinary follow-up visits and additional tests may be performed in order to monitor the cat's heart health.
How to treat DCM in cats?
Treatment for DCM varies with the condition of the cat. If your cat has severe symptoms, hospitalization will be necessary. Treatment for DCM may include drugs for controlling abnormal heart rhythms, management of kidney health to prevent renal failure, treatment for low blood pressure, and treatment for complications caused by blood clots (i.e., blood thinning drugs). Hospital treatment for congestive heart failure will normally include supplemental oxygen therapy, diuretic drugs for relieving fluid retention, nitroglycerin for improving blood flow, and low dosages of dobutamine to stimulate heart contractility and cardiac output. Other drugs, such as anticoagulants (blood thinners), and beta blockers for controlling rhythm can be used to treat DCM, but their use depends on the specific problems that are secondary to the disease. Cats suffering from DCM will usually have anorexia, and because they also will need to be given a diet low in sodium, to reduce fluid stress on the heart, you will need to plan a diet that will spark your cat's interest in eating, in order to aid in its recovery. Your veterinarian will be able to help you to design a diet plan that is particular to your cat.
What is DCM in cats?
DCM causes the heart to become overloaded, and will often lead to congestive heart failure. Before 1987, DCM was one of the most common heart diseases in cats.
How long does it take for a cat to recover from DCM?
Follow up treatments are critical for cats with DCM. At about seven days after the initial treatment, your cat will need to be re-examined. A thoracic (chest) radiograph, and a chemical blood profile will be used to determine how effective the therapy is going, and whether anything needs to be changed or added to the recovery process. You must be especially vigilant with the administration of prescribed medications. Precision and continuity is essential for medicated therapy to show positive results. Examinations using echocardiograph imaging should also be performed every three to six months in order to follow the progress of the condition.
How to know if your cat has DCM?
You will need to observe your cat's general activity level, appetite, and interest in things (apathy is a sign of illness), as well as watch out for any recurrence of symptoms, such as coughing or labored breathing. Despite intensive therapy and constant care, most cats with DCM have a poor prognosis for a long life.
What is the heart disease in cats?
The heart has four chambers: two chambers at the top, the right and left aorta; and two chambers on the bottom, the right and left ventricles. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart disease that affects the ventricular muscle.
How do experienced vets answer your pet questions?
Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video.
Can cats live with DCM?
Despite intensive therapy and constant care, most cats with DCM have a poor prognosis for a long life. Quality of life, rather than a lengthy one, is more of a consideration with this condition. Your veterinarian will counsel you on ways in which you can provide this to your cat. Image: VGstockstudio via Shutterstock.
What is a DCM in cats?
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM or DC) is a type of heart disease where the heart muscle swells up like a giant balloon preventing the heart from pumping blood properly . This type of enlarged heart has a dietary link in cats so it’s rarely seen today. DCM is caused by a taurine deficiency.
Why do cats need taurine?
Taurine is an essential amino acid, a building block of protein. Cats need a high amount of taurine in their diet because their bodies can’t make taurine for them. Cat foods today are all supplemented with taurine to try and prevent DCM. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “dogs can survive on cat food but cats can’t survive on dog food” the lack of additional taurine in dog food is the reason why.
What is special hearts for cats?
Special Hearts: Cats with Heart Defects of Diseases is a great Facebook support group for all kinds of heart problems in cats, including DCM.
Can cats have kidney disease?
Cats with any kind of heart disease are also very likely to develop chronic kidney disease because reduced blood flow from the heart will impair kidne y function . Tanya’s Comprehensive Guide to Feline Kidney Disease has some good information about heart disease and on how heart disease and kidney disease are treated together, but that page focuses mostly on HCM, which is a much more common type of heart disease.
Can cats get DCM?
Although DCM can occur in any cat who does not eat enough taurine, the disease is more common in Persian, domestic shorthair or domestic longhair cats, Abyssinian, Birman, Burmese, and Siamese cats. DCM can also occur in cats who are in the end stages of heart disease from either Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) or Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
What to feed a cat with taurine deficiency?
In the case of a taurine deficiency, the veterinarian will prescribe supplements to readily supply the body with the missing essential amino acid. You may also be advised to feed your cat a specialized diet, low in sodium, to aid in cardiovascular recovery. Top.
How to tell if a cat has DCM?
DCM is noted by a weak pulse, murmur of the heart, and irregular lung sounds, which can also be heard with the help of a stethoscope. At home, cat owners may be able to detect the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in their cat if it displays the following clinical signs: No interest in food. Lethargy. Distended belly.
What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
The feline may also appear weak and have a poor body condition as it ages. Dilated cardiomyopathy was once linked to a dietary deficiency in the amino acid, taurine. However, due to cat food manufacturers adding this essential ingredient into their products, DCM is rarely caused by taurine deficiency. Today, unless the feline is fed a naturally sourced diet, DCM occurs for idiopathic (unknown) reasons. Dilated cardiomyopathy possess a threat for blood clots, stroke and heart failure in cats, therefore treatment must be sought by a veterinary professional.
How old is a feline with dilated cardiomyopathy?
The heart condition tends to affect male felines more than females, and it usually appears between two and twenty years of age. Historically, feline dilated cardiomyopathy was linked to a deficiency in the essential amino acid, taurine.
What is the treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in cats?
Dilated cardiomyopathy in cats is treated with therapeutic diuretic, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs in severe cases, but additional medications may be needed depending on the specific case. In the case of a taurine deficiency, the veterinarian will prescribe supplements to readily supply the body with the missing essential amino acid. You may also be advised to feed your cat a specialized diet, low in sodium, to aid in cardiovascular recovery.
How long does it take for a cat to recover from dilated cardiomyopathy?
Cats with dilated cardiomyopathy are usually asked by the veterinarian to return for a re-evaluation approximately seven to fourteen days after hospital discharge. The doctor will likely repeat the ECG exam and take additional x-rays of the chest to visualize the heart.
How many chambers does a feline heart have?
To understand feline dilated cardiomyopathy, a basic understanding of heart anatomy is required. The feline’s heart has four chambers, just like the human heart, with two right and left aortas atop two right and left ventricles.
What is primary DCM?
Primary DCM in predisposed breeds that is unrelated to diet. This is the traditional, genetically-related DCM in typical breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane.
What tests can be done to diagnose DCM in dogs?
Your veterinarian (or a veterinary cardiologist) may do additional tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram – the test of choice to diagnose DCM).Tell your veterinarian what you’re feeding your dog.
What causes DCM in dogs?
What’s causing diet-associated DCM in dogs? For the vast majority of dogs, we do not yet know what is causing this disease. There are definitely some dogs with DCM that have low taurine levels, many of which will improve with taurine supplementation and change of diet. For dogs that have normal taurine levels, however, other nutritional deficiencies may be present. Some nutritional deficiencies can affect the heart’s normal function, so an insufficient amount of these nutrients (or reduced bioavailability) in the diet could cause heart disease. Diet-associated DCM could also be due to an ingredient in the food that is toxic to the heart. The FDA and many researchers are actively studying this issue so that it can be solved as quickly as possible.
How long does it take for a dog to improve with DCM?
Outcome: Not all dogs with DCM will improve and improvements in the echocardiogram, when they do occur, can take a long time (often more than 6 months).
Is DCM a diet?
Diet-associated DCM with normal taurine levels. While this form of the disease was first identified in dogs of breeds not predisposed to DCM that are eating BEG diets, it appears to also occur in dogs of typical DCM breeds that are eating a BEG diet. Primary DCM in predisposed breeds that is unrelated to diet.
Is raw dog food safe?
Raw diets and homemade diets are not safe alternatives. Out of concern, some owners are switching from BEG diets to a raw or home-cooked diet. However, we have diagnosed DCM in dogs eating these diets too. And raw and home-cooked diets increase your dog’s risk for many other health problems. So, forego the raw or home-cooked diets and stick with a commercial pet food made by a well-established manufacturer that contains common ingredients, including grains. If your dog requires a home-prepared diet for a medical condition or you feel strongly about feeding one, I strongly recommend you consult with a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist ® ( acvn.org ). However, because home-cooked diets are not tested for safety and nutritional adequacy like good quality commercial diets, deficiencies could still develop.
Does taurine help with DCM?
This suggests that there’s something else playing a role in most cases – either a deficiency of a different nutrient or even a toxicity that may be associated with BEG diets. Giving taurine is unlikely to prevent DCM unless your dog has taurine deficiency.
Symptoms and Types
Causes
- While taurine deficiency greatly contributed to the onset of secondary feline DCM in the past, the underlying cause in the majority of DCM cases today remains unknown. In some families of cats, a genetic predisposition has been identified.
Diagnosis
- In addition to a thorough physical examination of the heart, certain medical tests are needed to diagnose DCM and exclude other diseases. An electrocardiogram (or EKG) recording can be used to examine the electrical currents in the heart muscles, and may reveal any abnormalities in cardiac electrical conduction (which underlies the heart’s ability to contract/beat), and can also …
Treatment
- Treatment for DCM varies with the condition of the cat. If your cat has severe symptoms, hospitalization will be necessary. Treatment for DCM may include drugs for controlling abnormal heart rhythms, management of kidney health to prevent renal failure, treatment for low blood pressure, and treatment for complications caused by blood clots (i.e., blood thinning drugs). Ho…
Living and Management
- Follow up treatments are critical for cats with DCM. At about seven days after the initial treatment, your cat will need to be re-examined. A thoracic (chest) radiograph, and a chemical blood profile will be used to determine how effective the therapy is going, and whether anything needs to be changed or added to the recovery process. You must be especially vigilant with the administrati…