Dog Foods and Heart Disease

Update on FDA Investigation Involving Potential Link Between Certain Dog Foods and Heart Disease:

We have received several calls from concerned owners regarding a recent statement issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); this report involves an investigation into a possible link between certain diets and a form of canine heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).

DCM causes an enlarged heart in dogs. Affected animals may cough, have decreased exercise tolerance, have difficulty breathing or episodes of collapse. It is interesting to note that there has been an increase in reports to the FDA of cases of dogs with DCM that are not typically genetically predisposed to developing this disease.

The FDA has identified 16 brands of dog food which were most frequently associated with the reported cases of DCM. These diets were found to be “grain-free”, containing peas, lentils, other legumes and/or potatoes. The animal protein sources varied widely in these diets. The FDA has not determined the exact connection between these diets and developing DCM.

For more information, please refer to the article on ‘FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy’

If you have any concerns that your dog may be exhibiting any clinical signs associated with DCM, please contact Mission Ridge Animal Hospital at 780-458-3833 to speak with a member of our veterinary team.