Understanding nutrition in dogs with degenerative mitral valve diseaseJuly 6, 2020It is extremely helpful to introduce to clients the concepts of sodium restriction, adequate calorie and protein intake, and cardiac cachexia in the pre-CHF stage.
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Grain-free diet not linked to DCM in dogs, research review findsJune 22, 2020Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is largely an inherited disease and not the result of a grain-free or legume-rich diet.
Canine heart disease test on the pulseMay 13, 2020A test allowing for the early detection of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs may soon be in the works, thanks to new joint venture by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Embark.
Combo parasite preventative gets FDA green lightFebruary 28, 2020Zoetis has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a parasite preventative that protects dogs from fleas, ticks, and worms.
Smoke inhalation, burns may lead to heart problems in catsFebruary 27, 2020Suffering moderate burns and smoke inhalation might have a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular health of animals, according to a new study out of the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UC Davis VMTH).
Are ACE inhibitors effective in treating heart disease?February 26, 2020The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in dogs and cats with cardiac disease is a long-standing treatment that has been reevaluated periodically as new evidence is developed.
Identifying congenital heart diseaseFebruary 19, 2020A heart murmur is a biomarker for congenital heart disease (CHD) in puppies and kittens. Almost every dog or cat with this condition will have a murmur, but hearing what it’s telling you isn’t always easy.
Research updates on diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathyAugust 15, 2019As veterinarians, our mission to identify curable conditions is everlasting, but like many of our human colleagues, we too may be overlooking the most logical etiology of all—food.
What does FDA's DCM alert mean?July 8, 2019Last week brought a revealing announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After frequent and persistent petitioning from veterinarians, veterinary nutritionists, and caregivers, the FDA finally released a list of the brands that have been linked to cases of diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Since June 27, my inbox and social media sites have been blowing up with shares, retweets, and emails from concerned friends and family. The story was even picked up by major new outlets such as CNN and ABC, adding to the fervor. But I'm conflicted about this report. On one hand, certain pet food manufacturers have taken a very cavalier approach to their diet's role in this preventable and potentially deadly disease. Because only a relatively "small percentage" of dogs develop diet-associated DCM on their foods, they insist there is no problem, ignoring the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. On the other hand, the FDA's report paints a broad stroke over specific brands and is being interpreted (at least by the concerned friends and owners I've talked to) as an indictment of all "grain-free" diets or of certain manufacturers, which is a less than helpful oversimplification of a complex problem. As I advised in my …
FDA updates on potential connection between certain diets and canine DCMJuly 3, 2019The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing its investigation into certain diets and a heightened risk of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and for the first time, has named the brands most frequently linked to the condition.
