Dog owners should definitely be paying close attention to this story. As it turns out, our pets are at risk of developing heart disease and the foods that they are being given are going to play a major role going forward. Now that The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the matter, it is time for dog owners everywhere to sit up and take notice of what is going on.
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy is now being linked to the diet of dogs everywhere. If the foods that are consumed by the dogs contain lentils, peas or legume seeds, the animal could be in severe danger. These foods will cause the chambers of the dog’s heart to start enlarging. When these chambers become enlarged, the animal is far more likely to experience a form of congestive heart failure.
There are certain breeds of dog that are more susceptible to these issues and owners must be remain on high alert. Doberman Pinschers, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Irish wolfhounds and Great Danes are among the breeds that are most vulnerable to the condition. According to the FDA, there are no specific brands that an owner needs to watch out for.
.@FDAanimalhealth is investigating the potential association between reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and certain pet foods the animals consumed, containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds or potatoes as main ingredients. https://t.co/wdN7wm16kx pic.twitter.com/F97zkOA30l
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) July 12, 2018
The aforementioned ingredients are more important to watch out for than any individual brands. Even if a dog is not among the breeds that are thought to be predisposed to the condition, owners must still be sure to keep them safe. If the dog is believed to be experiencing conditions that are related to these ingredients, contact the Department of Health & Human Services as soon as possible.
Their safety reporting portal will certainly come in handy on these occasions. The FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators in your state are also going to be more than happy to assist you in these scenarios. A dog who is experiencing early signs of DCM is going to have a noticeable cough and a number of breathing problems. These dogs also tend to become rather lethargic.
Researchers are still working to uncover the link between these diets and DCM. Some believe that a taurine deficiency could be to blame. This is an amino acid that is considered essential to the life span of a carnivore. The Texas A & M University Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital is currently investigating the matter. In the meantime, be sure to share this story with all of the dog owners in your life as soon as possible!
