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Do grain free diets cause heart problems (like DCM or dilated cardiomyopathy) in dogs?
On today's episode of Twin Trees Vet Talk, we welcome our very special guest, Dr. Mark Harmon. Dr. Harmon is a Veterinary Cardiology Specialist at Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Vancouver, BC (Canada).
We discuss the problem with trendy new diets ( vegan, vegetarian, grain-free), stemming from ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, peas, and dried beans that have been associated with dogs developing heart problems. Since the FDA warning against grain-free dog food, the FDA has halted its investigation but the problem has not gone away. Pet food manufacturers are still making diets with these problematic ingredients, so it is important to read the label on your pet's food and discuss with your veterinarian. If your pet has been fed a diet with these ingredients and there is any indication of heart disease (even a very soft murmur, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, cardiac arrhythmia, etc.) it very is important to have the heart evaluated. The damage can be reversed in the earlier stages, but in the later stages it is devastating. We hope you enjoy this episode! Please leave your questions and comments below!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
-Diet-associated DCM update from Lisa Freeman (Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist at Tufts University):: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2023/02/diet-associated-dilated-cardiomyopathy-the-cause-is-not-yet-known-but-it-hasnt-gone-away/
-Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals: https://www.ofa.org/
-AKC Guide to Responsible Pet Breeding:
https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breeder-education/akcs-guide-responsible-dog-breeding/
RELATED CONTENT ON OUR CHANNEL:
-Congestive Heart Failure in a Dog / CHF https://youtu.be/4LmR37ShaNw
- 3 Tips from the Emergency Vet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q0fm1mf7Xw&t=761s
-1.7 Preventative & Wellness Care for Pets (Dangers to Avoid #7 of 7): https://youtu.be/qmWZGJZQR9I
-Genetic Heart Disease https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXKwbK2S4UY
WELCOME TO TWIN TREES VET TALK! An informal chat with Dr. Lopez (Emergency Veterinarian) and friends to share our perspective on pet predicaments, being a veterinarian, our shared love for animals and more! Have a quick question? Want to run something by us? Or just need our two cents? This is your chance! Each week we select a handful of questions to answer.
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The medical information on this site is provided as an educational resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.
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