Introduction

Golden retrievers are over-represented in cases of taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy and recently a surge in cases has prompted further investigation.

Objective

To describe the clinical, dietary, and echocardiographic features in golden retrievers diagnosed with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy, and to determine specific dietary associations. A second aim was to determine the whole blood taurine concentrations in a representative sample of healthy golden retrievers.

Animals

Twenty-four client-owned golden retrievers with documented taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy and 52 healthy client-owned golden retrievers.

Methods

In this multicenter prospective observational study, baseline and follow-up echocardiographic data, complete diet and medical histories, and whole blood, plasma, or serum taurine concentrations were obtained. Baseline and follow-up echocardiographic data were compared. Associations were evaluated between specific diets and taurine deficiency or congestive heart failure. The prevalence of low whole blood taurine concentrations in the healthy golden retrievers was calculated.

Results

Twenty-three of 24 dogs diagnosed with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy were fed diets that were either grain-free, legume-rich, or a combination of these factors. None of these diets were feeding trial tested using Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) procedures. Twenty-three of 24 dogs had significant improvement in their echocardiographic parameters and normalization of taurine concentrations following diet change and taurine supplementation. Nine of 11 dogs diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) had resolution of their congestion at follow-up with five no longer requiring diuretic therapy and four tolerating diuretic dose reduction by >50%.

Conclusions

Certain diets and diet characteristics were associated with the development of taurine deficiency. Taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers is likely multifactorial, including a combination of dietary, metabolic, and genetic factors.

中文翻译：

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以商业饮食喂养的金毛猎犬中的牛磺酸缺乏和扩张型心肌病

介绍

在牛磺酸缺乏的扩张型心肌病病例中，金毛猎犬的人数过多，最近病例激增，促使人们进一步调查。

客观的

描述被诊断为牛磺酸缺乏和扩张型心肌病的金毛猎犬的临床，饮食和超声心动图特征，并确定特定的饮食关联。第二个目的是确定健康金毛代表样本中的全血牛磺酸浓度。

动物

有牛磺酸缺乏和扩张型心肌病的24个客户拥有的金毛寻回犬和52个健康的客户拥有的金毛寻回犬。

方法

在这项多中心前瞻性观察研究中，获得了基线和后续超声心动图数据，完整的饮食和病史以及全血，血浆或血清牛磺酸浓度。比较基线和随访超声心动图数据。评估了特定饮食与牛磺酸缺乏或充血性心力衰竭之间的关联。计算了健康金毛猎犬中全血牛磺酸浓度低的患病率。

结果

在诊断为牛磺酸缺乏和扩张型心肌病的24只狗中，有23只饲喂无谷物，富含豆类或上述多种因素的饮食。这些饮食均未使用美国饲料控制官员协会（AAFCO）程序进行喂养试验。改变饮食和补充牛磺酸后，24只狗中有23只在超声心动图参数和牛磺酸浓度正常化方面有显着改善。11只被诊断为充血性心力衰竭（CHF）的狗中有9只在随访时可以缓解充血，其中5只不再需要利尿剂治疗，另外4只耐受利尿剂剂量减少了50％以上。

结论

某些饮食和饮食特征与牛磺酸缺乏症的发展有关。金毛猎犬中的牛磺酸缺乏和扩张型心肌病可能是多因素的，包括饮食，代谢和遗传因素的综合。