Specific breed brochure - Breed Nutrition

The recently developed Doppler ultrasound technique appears to be more promising
than other current ultrasound techniques in detecting DCM even before
lesions develop (Chetboul et al, 2004). Early diagnosis helps prevent affected
dogs from being used for breeding before they manifest signs of the disease.
Possible link between dilated
cardiomyopathy and taurine deficiency
The link between taurine* deficiency and feline DCM (Pion et al, 1987) has led to
studies into the role of taurine in canine DCM. Taurine is an amino acid normally
produced by dogs, but in the event of DCM the blood taurine concentration is
often low.
Taurine regulates the heartbeat and protects the heart muscle cells (Satoh and
Sperakis, 1998). A simple blood test will reveal whether the dog is deficient in
taurine, as it is present in blood cells.
A retrospective study shows that the average dietary consumption of taurine is not
significantly different between dogs with and without taurine deficiency (Freeman
et al, 2001). The taurine deficiency
could develop as a consequence of
higher requirements or specific
metabolic abnormalities.
© Bussadori
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2
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Case of subaortic stenosis:
ultrasound examination
The inadequate production of taurine found
in some breeds, like the Rottweiler, may
induce the development of dilated
cardiomyopathy.
A 2-D ultrasound reveals
hypertrophy of the
interventricular septum (1)
and the back wall of the left
ventricle (2).
© J.-M. Labat