Morris Animal Foundation Presents Lecture on Taurine and Heart Disease in dogs

[@bessiewalden1102]

This is even a hotter topic now, almost a year after this video, with the FDA having come out with a report on DCM and dogfood recently. In the study, the FDA seems to be leading the public into thinking that grain free in particular is related to DCM, when the findings of the study don’t provide any proof. The agency even released a list of 16 dogfood brands, which has since started a panic and an odd and, I believe, baseless campaign to discredit grain free pet food. I would like to know where you stand on this issue, as you seem to be conditioning pet owners in this video to move away from grain free as well. I know that DCM is more scientifically linked to genetics and breed disposition, and, as you said, more prevalent in big dogs. But do you think now that taurine supplementing is enough to remove the scare of DCM in dogs? And is there really enough science to incriminate grain free now? Otherwise, implicating grain free dogfood brands is tantamount to sowing panic. We need more facts than speculations, because the FDA itself is not issuing recalls and recommending dietary switch (and yet Dr. Diehl’s slideshow suggests it). Anyway, looking forward to how your foundation justifies this, based on science and certainties, not maybes. Perhaps you can also comment on the statements in the podcast below. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dcm-fda-dog-food-science-hype-canine-nutritionist-linda/id597961570?i=1000446469443&fbclid=IwAR3HMDUKGBBXCmoVp2BYORp1g72kGUkZ9fO-hEjDF6Z5UFPc2IuC-cutaiw

[@bmwtruefan]

I feed a complete raw food diet that has plenty of taurine from organ meat etc in the diet. For my dogs and cats

[@alf5735]

How long time (weeks?) does it take after you've started supplementing Taurine until the symptoms are over/gone ?

[@MorrisAnimalFoundation]

This is good question for your veterinary team because there are a number of variables involved including your pet's current health status, dosage, etc.

[@kyrockhounder]

This has happened to my Cocker spaniel and he's in a mild stage left side dialation so I'm adding a taurine supplement, anyone who has a dog on heart meds like diuretics and has just began if you're dog is extremely tired and not urinating much there blood pressure may drop to low or potassium and or sodium levels dangerously low or high depending on if it's an ace inhibitor also thyroid hormones can decrease quickly, consult with the vet or research side affects, I wasn't warned by my vet and in three days my dog went down hill quick, thankfully I read reports and had to take him off due to extremely low blood pressure and levels bottoming out.His blood pressure wasnt checked or thyroid before being put on these drugs which is a must, it only took 3 days, I'm sharing because I don't want anyone's pet to experience this .

[@Srsdonline]

My summary while listening: Taurine was added to all cat food in 87! 30-50% Dobermans get DCM heart disease, but not Taurine deficiency. A recent uptick in large breed dogs is associated with grain-free diet and raw food - and maybe taurine deficiency. But it may not be a Taurine issue - also taurine testing is problematic. Recommendation: Move off grain free carefully. Better to use a prescription diet for allergy issues. We still don't know what has caused this uptick but seems diet related. Report to FDA if your dog gets this. SeeJosh's Blog on Taurine: search the Morris website. and find Josh's website. Signs: Dogs get tired easily. Pale gums, tongue. Swelling in the abdomen. Fast weak pulse. Reversible if caught. My question: We all wonder how to adjust the diet now. I am adding beef, mixing in more chicken and fading out grain free for a more normal beef and rice diet. Is this a good response? Thanks for this update!