Hello Danes

Tag: DCM

  • Heart Murmurs In Dogs 101

    Heart Murmurs In Dogs 101

    Imagine this: you’re at the veterinarian for a routine checkup when they mention that your pet has a heart murmur. While this condition may seem daunting, it’s important to note that heart murmurs in dogs are not always catastrophic. Unfortunately, at times, they are indicative of a bigger problem.

    If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with a heart murmur, you must rule out more serious conditions. Start here for more information on causes and treatments!

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    Heart Murmur Levels in Dogs

    Veterinarians diagnose heart murmurs in dogs based on their intensity and characteristics, which are typically graded on a scale from I to VI.

    Here’s an overview of the different levels of heart murmurs in dogs:

    Grade I:

    • Grade I murmurs are the softest and often difficult to detect.
    • They may only be audible during careful auscultation in a quiet environment.

    Grade II:

    • Grade II murmurs are still relatively soft but can be heard more clearly with a stethoscope.
    • They may occur intermittently.
    • Monitoring and periodic reevaluation by a veterinarian are usually recommended.

    Grade III:

    • Grade III murmurs are moderate in intensity and can be heard readily with a stethoscope placed on the chest wall.
    • They may indicate underlying heart disease, such as valve abnormalities or congenital defects.
    • Further diagnostic tests, such as echocardiography, may be recommended to determine the cause and severity of the murmur.

    Grade IV:

    • Grade IV murmurs are loud and can be heard with the stethoscope barely touching the chest.
    • They often indicate significant heart abnormalities and may be associated with clinical signs such as coughing, exercise intolerance, or fainting.
    • Prompt evaluation by a veterinarian and initiation of treatment is typically necessary.

    Grade V:

    • Grade V murmurs are very loud and may be accompanied by palpable vibrations (thrills) over the chest wall.
    • They may indicate severe heart disease, such as advanced valve dysfunction or cardiomyopathy.
    • Immediate veterinary attention and aggressive management are crucial to stabilize the dog’s condition and improve its prognosis.

    Grade VI:

    • Grade VI murmurs are the loudest and most intense.
    • They are often associated with life-threatening conditions such as congestive heart failure or ruptured chordae tendineae.
    • Emergency veterinary care is required, and treatment options may be limited depending on the underlying cause and overall health status of the dog.

    Understanding the grading system for heart murmurs allows veterinarians to assess the severity of the condition and tailor appropriate treatment plans to manage the dog’s cardiac health.

    If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart murmur of any type, don’t panic. Your veterinarian will guide you on the next steps.

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    What Causes Heart Murmurs in Dogs?

    Heart murmurs in dogs can have various underlying causes, ranging from benign conditions to serious cardiac abnormalities. Some common causes include:

    Valve Abnormalities:

    • Degenerative valve disease: This is the most common cause of heart murmurs in older dogs. It involves progressive deterioration of the heart valves, particularly the mitral valve.
    • Congenital valve defects: Dogs may be born with malformed or abnormal heart valves, leading to turbulent blood flow and murmurs from an early age.

    Structural Heart Defects:

    • Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole in the septum (wall) between the heart’s ventricles, allowing blood to flow abnormally between the chambers.
    • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): Failure of the fetal ductus arteriosus to close after birth, resulting in abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery.

    Cardiomyopathy:

    • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): Characterized by weakened and enlarged heart muscles, leading to impaired pumping function and murmurs due to turbulent blood flow.
    • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Thickening of the heart muscles, particularly the walls of the left ventricle, leading to abnormal blood flow and murmurs.

    Anemia:

    • Low red blood cell count or inadequate hemoglobin levels can cause turbulent blood flow through the heart chambers, resulting in murmurs.
    • Anemia may be caused by various factors, including nutritional deficiencies, blood loss, or underlying health conditions.

    Hyperthyroidism:

    • An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can lead to increased heart rate (tachycardia) and potentially murmurs due to altered blood flow dynamics.
    • Thyroid hormone imbalances can affect cardiovascular function and contribute to the development of murmurs.

    Other Causes of Heart Murmurs in Dogs

    • Heartworm disease: Infestation with heartworms can lead to pulmonary hypertension and murmurs due to increased pressure in the pulmonary artery.
    • Infections (e.g., endocarditis): Bacterial or fungal infections affecting the heart valves or lining can cause murmurs and other cardiac abnormalities.

    It’s important for veterinarians to thoroughly evaluate dogs with heart murmurs to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management strategy. Treatment may vary depending on the specific diagnosis and severity of the condition.

    You can read more about heart murmurs from Cornell University, HERE.

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    What are the Signs of Heart Problems in Dogs?

    Signs of heart problems in dogs can vary depending on the specific condition and its severity. However, some common signs to watch for include:

    1. Coughing: Persistent coughing, especially at night or during physical activity, can be a sign of heart disease in dogs.
    2. Difficulty Breathing: Labored or rapid breathing, especially at rest, can indicate heart-related respiratory distress.
    3. Exercise Intolerance: Reluctance to engage in physical activity or tiring quickly during exercise may be a sign of reduced cardiac function.
    4. Fainting or Weakness: Episodes of fainting or weakness, particularly during exertion or excitement, can be indicative of poor circulation or cardiac arrhythmias.
    5. Reduced Appetite or Weight Loss: Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss may occur in dogs with advanced heart disease.
    6. Abdominal Distension: Swollen or distended abdomen (ascites) due to fluid accumulation may occur in dogs with congestive heart failure.
    7. Bluish Discoloration of Gums: Cyanosis, or bluish discoloration of the gums or tongue, may indicate inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
    8. Restlessness or Anxiety: Dogs may exhibit restlessness, pacing, or anxiety, particularly if they are experiencing discomfort or difficulty breathing.
    9. Reduced Stamina: Decreased energy levels or reluctance to engage in normal activities may be a sign of underlying cardiac issues.
    10. Syncope (Fainting): Sudden loss of consciousness or fainting episodes can occur in dogs with severe heart disease, often triggered by exertion or excitement.

    It’s important to note that these signs can be nonspecific and may also be indicative of other health conditions. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, especially if they are persistent or worsening over time, it’s essential to seek prompt veterinary attention for a thorough evaluation and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Early detection and intervention can help improve outcomes and quality of life for dogs with heart problems.

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    When To See a Veterinary Cardiologist

    A board-certified veterinary cardiologist is a specialized veterinarian who has undergone advanced training and obtained certification in veterinary cardiology. To become board-certified, they must pass comprehensive examinations administered by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in the subspecialty of cardiology.

    Board-certified veterinary cardiologists possess extensive knowledge and expertise in interpreting diagnostic tests such as echocardiography, electrocardiography, and cardiac imaging, allowing them to provide specialized care for pets with heart conditions.

    A veterinary cardiologist should be consulted when a dog is diagnosed with a heart condition or exhibits symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease, including heart murmurs.

    A veterinary cardiologist will assess your dog’s cardiac health through diagnostic tests, including echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), and chest X-rays.

    Armed with that information, they will devise a personalized treatment plan, which may involve medications, surgical interventions, diet changes, or other therapeutic measures. They also guide you on long-term management and monitoring, while collaborating closely with your dog’s primary care veterinarian to ensure comprehensive care.

    If you visit with a Veterinary Cardiologist, it’s important to take their advice and adhere to the prescribed treatment protocol.

    While alluring “holistic” treatments such as homemade food and herbal remedies may be presented to you by influencers and other pet owners, they aren’t based on science and may do more harm than good.

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    Should I Get a Puppy With a Heart Murmur?

    Deciding whether to adopt or purchase a puppy with a heart murmur requires careful consideration and consultation with a veterinarian.

    While a heart murmur in a puppy may raise concerns, it’s important to understand that not all murmurs indicate serious underlying heart disease.

    In many cases, puppies may outgrow innocent or benign murmurs as they mature. However, if a murmur persists or is associated with other symptoms such as coughing, exercise intolerance, or fainting, further evaluation by a veterinarian, potentially including referral to a veterinary cardiologist, is necessary to determine the cause and severity of the murmur.

    Some puppies have heart murmurs because they were born with congenital defects. These defects are often preventable with ethical breeding practices. Tread cautiously when working with breeders who do not do OFA Cardiac testing on breeds that are prone to heart disease.

    Depending on the diagnosis and prognosis provided by the veterinarian, adopting a puppy with a heart murmur may still be feasible with proper management and care. Only you can determine if this situation is right for you and your family.

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    Do Grain-Free Foods Cause Heart Murmurs?

    The link between grain-free diets and heart murmurs in dogs has been a topic of concern in recent years. While grain-free diets themselves do not directly cause heart murmurs, there is growing evidence suggesting a potential association between certain types of boutique or grain-free diets and an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.

    DCM is a serious heart condition characterized by weakened and enlarged heart muscles, leading to impaired pumping function. Historically, DCM has been more commonly associated with specific breeds or genetic predispositions. However, in recent years, an apparent increase in DCM cases, particularly in breeds not typically predisposed to the disease, has raised questions about potential dietary factors.

    Some research suggests that certain grain-free diets, especially those high in legumes (such as peas, lentils, and chickpeas) or potatoes, may be linked to an increased risk of DCM in susceptible dogs.

    These diets often rely on non-traditional protein sources and may have imbalanced nutrient profiles, which could contribute to the development of cardiac issues over time.

    However, it’s essential to note that the exact mechanisms and causative factors of diet-related DCM are still not fully understood, and ongoing research is needed to elucidate the relationship between diet and cardiac health in dogs.

    In light of these concerns, pet owners are advised to consult with their veterinarians to ensure that their dog’s diet is nutritionally balanced and appropriate for their individual needs.

    If a dog is diagnosed with DCM or exhibits symptoms of cardiac disease, including heart murmurs, dietary adjustments may be recommended as part of the overall treatment plan. Additionally, regular veterinary check-ups and monitoring are crucial for early detection and management of potential heart issues in dogs, regardless of their diet.

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    How are Heart Murmurs Treated?

    Treatment for heart murmurs in dogs depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Here are some common approaches:

    Medications for Heart Murmurs in Dogs:

    • Diuretics: These medications help remove excess fluid from the body, reducing pressure on the heart and alleviating symptoms of congestive heart failure.
    • ACE Inhibitors: These drugs dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing the workload on the heart.
    • Positive Inotropes: These medications strengthen the heart muscle’s contractions, improving its pumping ability.
    • Antiarrhythmics: These drugs help regulate abnormal heart rhythms, reducing the risk of arrhythmia-related complications.

    Dietary Management:

    • Prescription Diets: Specialized diets formulated for heart health may contain specific nutrients or ingredients to support cardiac function.
    • WSAVA-Compliant Diets: For dogs with less serious heart conditions, a WSAVA-compliant age and size-appropriate diet (such as Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, or Royal Canin) is the safest choice.
    71 3TAGbjTL. AC SL1500

    Hill’s Science Diet Heart Care Dog Food

    This food is clinically proven to help dogs with heart conditions maintain health.

    Requires veterinary recommendation.

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    Lifestyle Modifications:

    • Exercise Restriction: Limiting strenuous activity helps reduce the workload on the heart and prevents the worsening of symptoms.
    • Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces strain on the heart and can improve overall cardiac function.

    Monitoring and Follow-Up:

    • Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Monitoring heart murmurs and assessing the dog’s response to treatment is essential for adjusting medications and managing the condition effectively.
    • Diagnostic Tests: Periodic echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and chest X-rays may be recommended to monitor the progression of heart disease and assess treatment efficacy.

    Interventional Procedures:

    • Surgery: In some cases, surgical interventions such as valve repair, pacemaker implantation, or correction of congenital heart defects may be necessary to improve cardiac function and alleviate symptoms.

    Pet owners should work closely with their veterinarians to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses their dog’s specific condition and optimizes their cardiac health and quality of life.

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  • Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Science Diet Lawsuit

    Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Science Diet Lawsuit

    Another day, another round of pet food lawsuits, recalls, misinformation, and drama. I suspect this is going to be a big one! On February 6th, 2024, Keto Natural Pet Foods filed a massive class action lawsuit against Hill’s Science Diet. Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is a hot topic, with a controversial argument.

    They claim that Hill’s Science Diet and a handful of top veterinary specialists “participated in an egregious, wide-ranging, and damaging campaign of coordinated, for-profit, faux-scientific misinformation.”

    Here is the list of Defendants listed in the lawsuit:

    • Hill’s Science Diet
    • Morris Animal Foundation – Mark Morris Institute
    • Dr. Lisa M. Freeman – Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist
    • Dr. Darcy B. Adin – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
    • Dr. Joshua A. Stern – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
    • Dr. Ryan C. Fries – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
    • Dr. John E. Rush – Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist

    To put this in simple terms, Keto Naturals pet food is alleging that Hill’s Science Diet and the above list of highly-educated veterinary specialists fabricated the entire grain-free DCM heart disease debate to gain back lost market share from boutique and small food brands.

    What is the “Grain-Free DCM Heart Disease Debate?

    This issue in pet food revolves around concerns that certain grain-free diets may be linked to an increased incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. While some believe that grain-free and boutique diets can contribute to DCM, others argue that insufficient evidence exists to establish a direct causal relationship, prompting ongoing discussions and research in the pet food industry. You can learn more about this HERE.

    I have so many thoughts. As always, our blog relies on published evidence, common sense, and cited research. We do not resort to fear-mongering or insincere sensationalism! This blog post is your one-stop place to learn more about this issue. Please like, share, and follow. Read on, friends.

    Keto natural pet foods vs. Hill's Science Diet Lawsuit

    Keto Naturals Ketona Pet Food

    To better understand the source of this lawsuit, I did some digging into the company behind it.

    Keto Naturals is a boutique pet food company in the truest sense of the word. According to Grips Intelligence, their yearly sales revenue is below $1 Million U.S.D.

    Compare that to Hill’s Science Diet, whose 2023 revenue sits at $4 Billion U.S.D.

    If they wanted to, Hill’s could buy Keto Naturals and stuff it in a closet. Their measly revenue is not, and has never been, a threat to Hill’s Science Diet.

    Keto Naturals markets their pet food as a low-carb Keto and “natural” diet option for pets.

    The ketogenic diet trend in humans has led to the emergence of low-carb, high-protein, high-fat pet foods marketed as “keto” options for dogs and cats. (Learn more about diet trends, toxic diet culture, and white supremacy, here1)

    However, while some pet owners are drawn to these products due to their alignment with human dietary fads, there is an ongoing debate among experts about the suitability and safety of ketogenic diets for animals. There is minimal research supporting the use of Ketogenic diets, while a considerable body of evidence suggests various potential problems associated with them.

    Numerous specialists emphasize that Ketogenic diets may not be suitable for most humans either2, due to the connection with yo-yo dieting, disordered eating, and potential risks to internal heart, liver, and kidney health.

    Some dogs may have underlying health conditions that could be exacerbated by a ketogenic diet, such as pancreatitis (which is implicated here).3

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    The Keto Naturals Brand & Founder

    Here are some other things we know about Keto Naturals / Ketona Pet Food and its founder:

    • Their food is co-packed by big factories that make many other brands for other companies.
    • There is no qualified nutritionist on staff.
    • It is unclear where the recipes are from, and if a qualified nutritionist consultant was used in their creation.
    • Keto Naturals does not participate in or publish peer-reviewed research or feeding trials.
    • They have a “science” page on their website pointing to a belief that carbs are fattening for humans and dogs. That is a theory that has remained unsubstantiated and is often refuted in published research.
    • A lot of their marketing is centered around bashing competitors (Such as the Farmer’s Dog) and other food types (including raw and fresh), as well as AAFCO regulations and standard practices for food nutrient testing.
    • Their website states that their foods have never been associated with a single case of nutritional DCM. However, their market share is abysmal. Some of the revenue comes from supplements they sell, not complete diets. The company has only been around since 2018, and very few dogs eat their food.
    • Keto Naturals’ outspoken founder and CEO Daniel Schulof is a lawyer. He is not an animal scientist, biologist, qualified nutritionist, or veterinarian.

    Despite having no formal education in animal nutrition, biology, or veterinary science, Daniel Schulof has positioned himself as an expert authority on this topic and even published a book that he says has been critically acclaimed.

    He does have a $200 certificate in pet nutrition from a RACE-approved veterinary CE online course. He openly declares his readiness to challenge anyone with superior credentials, firmly believing that his knowledge exceeds theirs.

    This information is easy to find via a quick Google search, where his LinkedIn profile is publicly visible.

    He is boldly challenging a group of veterinary researchers and specialists who possess significantly more education and expertise than he does.

    I’m going to say something controversial about Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s, but hear me out.

    I believe that the Keto Natural vs. Hill’s Science Diet Lawsuit is a brilliant marketing move.

    This news has spread rapidly across social media, leading to increased interest in Keto Naturals and higher engagement with their content.

    By submitting a controversial and potentially frivolous lawsuit, costing around $400 U.S.D., the brand has garnered significant attention in the pet community. Holistic veterinarians and “consumer advocates” are buzzing, selectively promoting information that supports the arguments presented in the lawsuit.

    How ironic.

    Keto Naturals History & the DCM Debate

    Daniel Schulof (founder of Keto Naturals) is no stranger to engaging in this controversy. He practically invented it.

    In the lawsuit document, he references an article that was published in the JAMVA on December 1st, 2018.4 This article was, at the time of his dispute with it in 2019, the most widely read article on the JAVMA website.

    He wanted that article removed, so he created a website called “Veterinary Integrity” and collected the signatures of veterinarians, scientists, human medical providers, representatives of grain-free pet food companies, and individual pet owners. His petition demanded the removal of the above editorial commentary piece from the JAMVA. (Read his demand letter HERE). 5

    Despite the submission of the petition to JAVMA, the article was not retracted.

    Certainly, the signatures he amassed predominantly reflected the views of a minority subset consisting of “holistic” veterinarians, pet food companies, and individuals inclined towards extreme “wellness” ideologies that often overlook scientific evidence. These signatures did not align with the sentiments of the majority of veterinarians and pet owners.

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    Keto Natural Pet Foods vs. Hill’s Lawsuit & Arguments

    Determining whether Keto Naturals has a case against Hill’s Science Diet would depend on various factors, including the evidence presented, legal arguments, and the interpretation of relevant laws and regulations.

    Author’s Note: Hello Danes does not necessarily agree with the following statements and arguments made in the Keto Naturals vs. Hill’s Science Diet lawsuit filing. This is being provided for informational purposes only:

    In the text of the lawsuit (which can be found here)6, the company implies and believes that:

    1. Hill’s Science Diet collaborated with several veterinary specialists to falsely claim that all “non-traditional” dog foods raise the risk of canine DCM.
    2. They deceitfully encouraged the FDA to investigate DCM cases by cherry-picking data.
    3. Studies have not proven definitive causation.
    4. They popularized the term “BEG” diets (Boutique, Exotic, Grain-Free) to implicate competitors and used blogs, websites, and social media to shape the narrative.
    5. This led to significant losses for “BEG” pet food companies like Keto Naturals, which alleges its reputation was unfairly damaged.
    6. Veterinarians who spread information about grain-free diets received it from Hill’s Science Diet and the Veterinary Defendants, raising concerns about funding and influence.
    7. The Veterinary Defendants also have a conflict of interest due to their involvement in research funded by Hill’s Science Diet.

    In this specific case, it seems like a class action is being pursued. This means that other small pet food companies could potentially join the case and seek compensation from any eventual judgment or settlement (if there is one, and that is a big if).


    As a journalist, I typically strive to remain impartial while supporting my argument with published research and science.

    It’s worth pointing out that the founder of Keto Naturals seems quite upset by what he feels is a loss of consumer trust in his brand (and thus, revenue), and he wants somewhere to place the blame.

    Conveniently, his argument also happens to stand on a very controversial platform.

    Controversy sells.

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    Grain-Free Diets and DCM Heart Disease in Dogs

    In 2014, Veterinary Cardiologists initiated communication with the FDA regarding an alarming trend they had been noticing of atypical heart disease. This led the FDA to begin collecting data from Veterinary Specialists (some of whom are defendants in this lawsuit).

    An announcement from the FDA in 20187 (four years later) aimed to gather more information from affected pet owners, sparking a prolonged debate that continues into 2024. Coincidentally, Keto Naturals Pet Food was started in 2018. The discussion had already been happening, and they were late to the party.

    Despite the implication made in the lawsuit that “no research has proven a link between grain-free foods and heart disease in dogs”, there is a lot more to that story.

    The FDA has a helpful Q&A page8 that beautifully explains a lot of the information available to us regarding DCM and Nutritional Factors.

    A study published in December 20229 showed that dogs fed non-traditional diets showed lower cardiac function and higher ventricular volume than dogs fed diets without potatoes or pulses. This study, like others, underscores the necessity for ongoing research and exploration into the matter.10

    Veterinarians nationwide consistently observe a rise in atypical heart disease cases among patients fed non-traditional, BEG, or grain-free diets. Many instances reportedly show improvement or reversal with diet change.

    While it’s very possible that most dogs can eat BEG-style diets their whole lives without issue, some cannot. It may take years to sort out why.

    The Keto Natural Pet Foods Inc. lawsuit against Hill’s Science Diet is adding fuel to the flames. To deny the hundreds of pet parents, whose pets were diagnosed with nutritional DCM and were harmed by boutique pet foods, is disingenuous.

    Moreover, nutrition science is a highly complex and expanding area of research. It’s concerning that the owner of a small company, who is a lawyer and not a veterinary scientist, feels confident in arguing so egregiously against something about which he has limited knowledge and personal experience.

    Given his background as a lawyer, one would anticipate his understanding of the peer-review process in research and science. However, it is troubling that he dismisses any critical studies and discussion on this topic, attributing it all to perceived financial influence and conflict of interest.

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    Does Keto Naturals Have a Case Against Hill’s Nutrition?

    I’m not a legal professional, so I can’t provide a definitive answer. However, I’m open to sharing my thoughts and speculations on the matter.

    Frivolous lawsuits are often considered baseless, lacking in legal reasoning or evidence to support the claims made. They may be filed for reasons such as harassment, intimidation, or to exploit the legal system for personal gain (see above, this is exceptionally good marketing for Keto Naturals brand).

    Frivolous lawsuits can waste time and resources for both parties involved and can clog up the court system.

    I observe a fledgling brand (Keto Naturals/Ketona) investing its limited time and resources into challenging top veterinary specialists and a large company (Hill’s Pet Nutrition) that is backed by extensive volumes of peer-reviewed scientific research.

    At its core, that is frivolous.

    The suggestion that multiple veterinary researchers have colluded with a single company to deliberately undermine small brands like Keto Naturals (whose revenue, even when combined with several other smaller brands, poses no threat to Hill’s bottom line) is far-fetched.

    To prevail in this case, they’ll need to provide substantial evidence that these events occurred and were intentional. Many statements in the legal filing appear akin to a toddler’s tantrum, which may not be taken seriously by a judge.

    Keto Natural Pet Food attributes its stagnant growth to the DCM “scheme” allegedly orchestrated by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and its purported co-conspirators, overlooking the simple fact that there may just not be much interest in Keto Dog Food among consumers.

    The popularity of the human Keto diet trend is waning as people become more aware of the health risks associated with extreme and restrictive diets. It’s logical to assume that a boutique pet food company attempting to capitalize on this trend would face challenges, regardless of external factors.

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    With many things in the world of pet food, there are two sides.

    On one side, there’s the often anti-science “holistic” faction, advocating for what they view as a more “natural” approach. Unfortunately, many adherents to this philosophy regularly undermine the credibility of experts and engage in the propagation of conspiracy theories. This side stands firmly with Keto Naturals, as for years they have shared the same unsubstantiated arguments that he does.

    On the other side, there’s the pro-veterinary research faction, committed to uncovering the truth through scientific methods, diligent peer-reviewed research, and evidence-based practices.

    It will be interesting to see how this shakes out, but for now, I’m choosing to continue standing with science.

    Disclaimer: The information provided regarding the KetoNatural Pet Foods Inc. vs. Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. lawsuit is for informational purposes only. We are not legal professionals, and any information presented is a journalistic interpretation and should not be construed as legal advice. Additionally, our site is not affiliated with, or funded by the FDA, Hill’s Science Diet, or Veterinary Researchers.

    Footnotes

    1. Diet culture is rooted in racism, white supremacy, and colonialism, Marisa Crane
      BS       ↩︎
    2. Ketogenic diet: What are the risks? U.C. Davis. Natalie Helms ↩︎
    3. Cridge H, Lim SY, Algül H, Steiner JM. New insights into the etiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in dogs: Potential impacts on clinical practice. J Vet Intern Med. 2022 May;36(3):847-864. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16437. Epub 2022 May 12. PMID: 35546513; PMCID: PMC9151489. ↩︎
    4. Freeman, L. M., Stern, J. A., Fries, R., Adin, D. B., & Rush, J. E. (2018). Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 253(11), 1390-1394. Retrieved Feb 13, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.253.11.1390 ↩︎
    5. Daniel Schulof Demand Letter to the AVMA, January 26th, 2019 ↩︎
    6. Keto Naturals Inc. vs. Hill’s Science Diet Inc. Class Action Lawsuit Document ↩︎
    7. FDA Investigating Potential Connection Between Diet and Cases of Canine Heart Disease ↩︎
    8. Questions & Answers: FDA’s Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs ↩︎
    9. Owens EJ, LeBlanc NL, Freeman LM, Scollan KF. Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37(1): 37-46. doi:10.1111/jvim.16606 ↩︎
    10. All Trades DVM DCM Timeline ↩︎
  • Dog Food DCM in Great Danes

    Dog Food DCM in Great Danes

    We’ve already written a few posts about dog food & DCM in Great Danes, but haven’t yet compiled a list of helpful topics, links, and science on it. This dog food DCM article will be ongoing and updated often. If you are concerned about nutritional DCM, or if your Great Dane was diagnosed with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) or heart disease, this blog should serve as a resource for you.

    If you would like to click open some of our most popular nutritional DCM resources, start here (they will open in a new tab for you). Many other links are posted in the blog text below as well.

    Should I feed Grain-Free Dog Food?

    DCM Update, 2022

    Judy Morgan, the FDA, and Pseudoscience

    What is DCM in Dogs?

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    What is Nutritional DCM in Dogs?

    Nutritional DCM, or “dog food DCM” is when a dog develops dilated cardiomyopathy (heart problems) because of unbalanced or poorly formulated nutrition. While some people believe this is a hoax, the relationship between bad nutrition and health problems in animals is well documented.

    In other words, this is a well-known and studied phenomenon. For example, in the not-so-distant past, cats were turning up with dilated cardiomyopathy. Pet food manufacturers responded to this by researching the problem and learning that for cats, it was related to nutritional deficiencies.

    Cat foods were adjusted and from that point forward, the problem went away. Here is an article from 1987 that covers this event: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-14-mn-805-story.html

    For cats, who have a limited ability to make their own taurine, it was a simple solution. Adding taurine to the diet solved the problem. For dogs (who are much more able to synthesize their own taurine from other amino acids), it’s a lot more complicated.

    Below I’m sharing some nutritional DCM facts, as well as scientific research and links. In the interest of keeping this article clean and free of bias, we will not be using any affiliate links in the text of the post.

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    Nutritional DCM Facts

    Here are some facts about nutritional DCM Dilated Cardiomyopathy that you may not know.

    Nutritional Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is a serious heart condition that has been associated with certain dietary factors. Here are some key facts about nutritional DCM:

    1. Definition: Nutritional DCM is a heart disease that affects the heart muscle, leading to its enlargement and weakened contractions.
    2. Link to Diet: Research has suggested a potential link between certain grain-free and boutique diets and an increased risk of DCM in dogs. Diets high in peas, lentils, and potatoes are specifically under scrutiny. Adding grains to the diet does NOT solve this problem!
    3. Taurine Deficiency: Taurine is an amino acid essential for heart health in dogs. Some cases of DCM have been associated with taurine deficiency, though not all affected dogs are deficient, and not all taurine-deficient dogs develop DCM. Adding taurine to the diet does not necessarily solve this problem.
    4. Affected Breeds: While initially observed more in breeds predisposed to DCM, such as Doberman Pinschers and Boxers, nutritional DCM has been reported across various breeds, including those not historically prone to the disease.
    5. FDA Investigation: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating the potential link between certain diets and DCM in dogs in 2018. The investigation is ongoing, and updates are periodically released.
    6. Importance of Balanced Nutrition: While the investigation continues, it is crucial for dog owners to provide a well-balanced and nutritionally complete diet. Consultation with a veterinarian is advisable to determine the most appropriate diet for an individual dog based on its breed, age, and health status.
    7. Diagnostics and Monitoring: Diagnosis of DCM involves a thorough veterinary examination, including imaging techniques like echocardiography. Regular veterinary check-ups and monitoring are essential for early detection and management.
    8. Treatment: Treatment may involve dietary adjustments, taurine supplementation, and medications to manage heart function. However, outcomes vary, and some cases may be challenging to manage.
    9. Prevention: Until more is known about the specific dietary factors contributing to DCM, prevention involves choosing dog foods with complete and balanced nutrition, and consulting with a veterinarian to tailor the diet to the individual needs of the dog.
    10. Ongoing Research: The understanding of nutritional DCM in dogs is evolving, and ongoing research is essential to uncover the precise factors contributing to this condition. Veterinarians play a crucial role in staying informed and guiding dog owners in making informed dietary choices.
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    DCM & Dog Food Research

    It’s important to keep in mind that many sources of information on nutritional DCM are extremely biased. “Holistic” veterinarians don’t like this discussion because it directly implicates dog food diets that they promote as healthier (for example, grain-free diets from small dog food companies).

    A great example of this can be seen here, by influencer Judy Morgan and her inflammatory take on the FDA statements about DCM research.

    We recommend looking at scientific sources and links, and listening to professionals who have obtained board certifications in their speciality (cardiology, nutrition, internal medicine) when it comes to forming beliefs about nutritional DCM.

    Contrary to popular belief, the FDA has not ‘debunked’ anything, and dedicated research into the mechanisms behind dilated cardiomyopathy is ongoing.

    Like many blogs, Hello Danes is a profit-driven resource. However, we make it a point to share information and form opinions based on boarded professionals, veterinary research, and legitimate science; not anecdotes. We encourage you to click on the research articles we share and form your own opinion, too!

    7 1

    Dog Food & DCM Science & Links

    All Trades DVM DCM Timeline – this is incredibly comprehensive and loaded with direct links to scientific studies on the topic:

    https://www.alltradesdvm.com/topics/diet-associated-dcm/dcm-timeline

    The most recent study, shows yet again that pulse ingredients can cause changes to the heart muscle:

    December 2022 DCM Study

    The Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM in Dogs group on Facebook is eye-opening. They document confirmed cases of nutritional DCM, including the dog’s age, breed, and foods that the dog had been eating at the time of their diagnosis.

    Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs

    A team of veterinary specialists and professionals runs the DCM Dog Food website. It has a wealth of information, FAQ’s, and research:

    https://dcmdogfood.com/taurine-dcm-faq/
    https://dcmdogfood.com

    This UC DAVIS Study is seeking participants. If your dog has been eating a commercial diet (grain-free or grain-inclusive) for the last 6 months and does not have congenital heart disease, they may be eligible to participate:

    UC DAVIS DCM Research Study Information

    The Great Dane Club of America posted a 2002 research update into genetic (congenital) DCM in Great Danes. This is unrelated to nutritional DCM, however, has important information for Dane owners on what to look for:

    https://gdca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Great-Dane-102.pdf

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    Nutritional DCM in Great Danes

    I did a quick search in the Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy group for ‘Great Dane’ and the results were heart-wrenching.

    Within minutes I found story after story of Great Danes that had been fed boutique foods and grain-free diets who suffered from an enlarged heart.

    These cases were all well documented and had been diagnosed and confirmed by veterinary cardiologists.

    Many of them were reversed by switching to Purina Pro Plan Large Breed. For some, it was too late. In a quick search, the food I saw repeated most often as a culprit was Taste of the Wild.

    That’s just one brand of many formulas that are popular among Great Dane owners.

    If you want my personal opinion, you could not pay me to feed Taste of the Wild or any other label manufactured by its co-packing company, Diamond Pet Foods. This includes Diamond Naturals, Nutra Nuggets, Costco/Kirkland, and Solid Gold.

    Even if many dogs seem fine on the grain-inclusive versions of these foods, this company is perfectly willing to ignore DCM research and keep foods, such as Taste of the Wild (TOTW) grain-free on the shelves.

    Honestly? The Great Dane community should be much more alarmed about this than they currently are.

    It’s not just about grain-free foods. It’s about formulation. At minimum, dog food companies should be employing people who are qualified to design pet foods. Unfortunately, many do not. They can make plenty of money by investing instead in fancy packaging and marketing claims.

    I searched two brands at the Pet Nutrition Alliance. One of them was Purina (the company with the largest market share by miles, and no verified nutritional DCM cases), and one of them was Diamond Pet Foods (the makers of Taste of the Wild, who has a very small market share and many verified DCM cases).

    Can you guess which is which on the infographic below?

    3
    Note: An “ACVN Diplomate” is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. They have received the highest credentials available when it comes to pet nutrition.

    Here are other popular brands in the Great Dane community that do not have qualified staff to formulate the diets:

    Fromm Family Foods – Formulated by a chemical engineer. In 2023 they promoted a PhD in Animal Nutrition on their staff, and we hope to see positive changes.

    Victor – Formulated by somebody with an M.S. in animal science (not nutrition) and a simple online “nutrition certification”. See also their questionable quality control history, here.

    Holistic Select, Wellness Core, Eagle Pack – Information is not available from any source, indicating that they do not have qualified people formulating the diets that they sell under different brand names, and do not wish that information to be public

    Diamond: Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Nutra-Nuggets, Costco/Kirkland, Solid Gold – “Consults with an M.S. in Animal Nutrition”. This means that across multiple labels, nobody is on staff to formulate the diets, and their off-site consultant is only marginally qualified

    Study after study shows that when it comes to giant breed dogs, and in particular giant breed puppies, choosing a well-balanced and professionally formulated, highly-researched food that has been subjected to feeding trials is incredibly important.

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    Nutritional DCM & Our Recommendations for Great Dane Owners

    We’ve dug into the links, science, and research so that you don’t have to.

    We’re making every effort to present factual, science-backed information that the solid majority of veterinarians and veterinary specialists would support, and we are open to being challenged by reputable sources.

    Knowing this, here are the recommendations that we unapologetically make:

    • Choose a dry food from a well-known brand that is committed to research and that has at least one AVCN Diplomate (Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist) on staff
    • Feed a grain-inclusive diet
    • Avoid kibbles that have a lot of peas, potatoes, lentils, or legumes in the first 10 ingredients
    • Consider getting an echocardiogram for your dog if you’ve been feeding a grain-free or boutique food brand (some dogs will be just fine, but if they aren’t? Catching it early and switching diets is key)
    • Report health issues that may be related to diet (including heart disease, illness, or otherwise) to the FDA. Their food reporting form can be found HERE: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint
    • If your dog is suffering from chronic loose stools, skin conditions, muscle wasting, low energy, or allergies, see your veterinarian, take their advice, and don’t be afraid to consider a therapeutic (“prescription” diet) or a consultation with a specialist (dermatology, cardiology, internal medicine, etc.)
    14 jpg

    Recommended Dog Food Brands That Don’t Cause DCM

    The following food brands are NOT associated with cases of preventable nutritional DCM, and are highly recommended by this blog, veterinary professionals, veterinary nutritionists, and top breeders. This is the only paragraph in this post containing Chewy affiliate links – which we could pull for ANY number of brands and formulas.

    These are the only ones we are comfortable recommending to Great Dane owners. We will not recommend brands that we feel are unsafe to feed, and for that reason, this is all you will find on our list:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

  • Enlarged Heart: Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    Enlarged Heart: Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle which results in an over-enlarged heart. This is what you need to learn to diagnose cardiomyopathy in dogs.

    Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs is caused by a weakening of the heart muscle, which can lead to an increase in size of the left ventricle. This is manifested as an enlargement or dilatation of the entire heart structure.

    In other words, dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs can lead to congestive heart failure. Clinical signs of congestive heart failure, decreased blood flow, irregular heart rhythm or fluid accumulation in the heart muscle should be treated as an emergency as heart disease is often progressive and has no cure.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    What is Dilated Cardiomyopathy in dogs?

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (CDM) is the most widespread progressive and almost irreversible heart condition affecting humans1. Dilated cardiovascular disease has been reported in the U.K. for the past 15 years in relation to cardiac failure.

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by genetic as well as environmental influences. Genetic mutation contributes to DCM in humans though a large percentage of people who suffer from familially related DCM do so in the same family, which reveals surprisingly poor understanding of the causes behind DCM.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    What is OFA Health Testing?

    What are the symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy?

    Signs that may be seen in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy include decreased energy, listlessness, exercise intolerance, coughing, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate or arrhythmias. Diagnosis is usually made through physical examination and chest x-rays. Your veterinarian will also likely perform an echocardiogram to get a detailed view of the heart and its structures.

    Symptoms of The Early Stages of Congestive Heart Failure

    The early stages may show no clinical symptoms, or the animal may display decreased exercise tolerance. The onset of a heart disorder may indicate an abnormal heart beat and irregular heart rhythm.The patient may be diagnosed at the start and after the diagnosis has progressed.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    DCM in Great Danes: What you need to know

    Progressed Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    As heart pumpability decreases, blood pressure begins to increase at the back of either side of the heart. A congested and fluidy edema often develops in the ventricular and left ventricles.

    Occasionally fluids can accumulate around the abdomen or around the lungs, when the right ventricular side has also become affected or damaged. Symptoms of a cardiac failure can appear more magnified as canine dilated cardiomyopathy progresses.

    Red Flags for Heart Failure in Dogs / Clinical Signs to be Aware of

    In dogs undergoing heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, the signs of left-sided recurrent heart failure can include reduced fitness ability and rapid fatigue of muscles.

    Sometimes the cough looks soft like the dog has cleared his throat.

    Poor blood pumping and rhythms are common symptoms. Several dogs who suffer dilated cardiomyopathy suffer abdominal swelling or heavy breathing due to a leaking stomach.

    Clinical signs of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs include:

    1. Labored breathing
    2. Coughing
    3. Decreased appetite
    4. Pale gums
    5. Arrhythmia or irregular heart rate
    6. Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (ascites)
    7. Exercise intolerance and sudden collapse.
    8. Lethargy Anorexia

    By knowing the signs of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs and performing regular check-ups with a veterinarian, you can help ensure that your pup stays as healthy as possible. Knowing the early signs could be the difference in getting DCM diagnosed early before the disease has taken over the heart chambers.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    My Great Dane is Coughing

    Getting a Dilated Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis

    In addition to a comprehensive physical exam, some medical tests are needed to determine DCM in the dog as a potential cause or exclude other maladies.

    Physical Examination

    Your veterinarian will want to check for dilated cardiomyopathy with a physical examination. Here they can check for an irregular heart rhythm, heart murmur, and listen for signs of heart enlargement.

    A thorough physical examination is important so that you and your veterinarian can monitor the disease progression.

    Additional Diagnostic Tests

    Veterinary medicine has progressed and there are diagnostic tests that can be done to achieve a more accurate. diagnosis.

    Blood tests

    These are typically done to help rule out other diseases as the cause of the symptoms.

    Echocardiogram

    An ultrasound of your dog’s heart can be used to evaluate chamber sizes, valve function and blood flow through the heart chambers.

    An electrocardiogram can reveal arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and cardiac tachycardias (a normal rapid heartbeat). Sometimes it is necessary to undergo an EKG to assess abnormal heart rate for 24hr to determine if there is an underlying abnormal heart rate. An echocardiograph can also be performed for definitive diagnosis of cardiac dysrhythmia.

    Radiographic Imaging / Chest Radiographs (xrays)

    Radiographic (X-ray) imaging can reveal that dogs can have an enlarged heart.

    Chest radiographs will also show any fluid accumulation in the lungs and give a better overview of the heart size. Chest radiographs are very useful in evaluating the progression of canine dilated cardiomyopathy and will be conducted by a board certified veterinary cardiologist.

    Causes of DCM in Dogs

    DCM is an inherited disease and is most prevalent among dogs aged four to ten years old.

    Although it is unclear whether DCM causes dog disease, it is believed to have several factors, including food, infectious disease, and genetic factors.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    Is DCM Caused by Diet?

    Nutritional DCM

    Nutritional deficiency in taurine and carnitine has been shown to help to cause DCM in many breeds, including cocker Spaniels and Boxer Spaniel.

    More regarding diet and this disease in relation to heart function later.

    Genetic Mutations can cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

    Dilated cardiomyopathy (Dcm) is linked, in some cases, to genetics. When choosing your adorable new puppy , it is important to be aware that there are genetic predispositions towards certain types of serious conditions.

    Therefore, you should always speak with your breeder regarding whether their dogs have been diagnosed with or experienced clinical signs of dilated cardiomyopathy.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    What Health Tests do Great Danes Need for Breeding?

    OFA Health Testing and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    OFA Health Testing allows for early detection of genetic mutations

    The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) offers health testing to identify any genetic mutations that may be present in a breed’s DNA. This health testing is important to help breeders make sure they are not breeding dogs with higher risks of developing DCM or other serious conditions.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    What is OFA Health Testing?

    Certain Breeds and Heart Disease

    Some dog breeds are more prone to heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy than others.

    This does not, however, mean that you cannot get a breed that is prone to DCM. It just means that you should be aware of the risks and talk to your veterinarian about screening for early detection if possible. Additionally, DCM in dogs is a serious disease, so again, checking and verifying health testing prior to bringing a puppy home is crucial.

    Breeds that are Prone to Heart Disease

    Dogs predisposed to DCM include the Doberman Pinscher, boxer dogs, doberman Pinschers, Golden Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Great Dane, Boxer, Cocker Spaniels, and English Setter. It is important to speak with a qualified professional before getting a pet from any of these breeds.

    Cocker Spaniels, in particular, have been identified as a breed at high risk for the development of DCM.

    Giant breeds seem to be more impacted by dilated cardiomyopathy than most dogs of normal size.

    What causes dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs?

    The causes of dilated cardiomyopathies are often unreachable however inherited predisposition appears in certain breeds. The largest breed is affected most but also occurs in smaller breeds like the Cocker Spaniels. The condition may develop after the toxin or infection is identified in the blood. Compared with humans heart muscle dysfunction is most often triggered by coronary heart disease or heart attack.

    Treatment

    The goal of treatment for dogs with an enlarged heart is to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and extend life expectancy.

    Medication

    Medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, anticoagulants, and diuretics can be used to help manage the symptoms of DCM.

    Surgery

    In some cases surgery may be recommended for certain dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. Surgical options include heart valve repair or replacement as well as transaortic valvuloplasty.

    Diet

    Finally, it is important to pay attention to your dog’s diet and provide adequate nutrition, as this can have a tremendous impact on their health outcomes. Your veterinarian may recommend specific dietary adjustments for your pup and monitor their progress over time.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    Is a Grain-Free Diet for Dogs Healthier?

    FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    Environmental Factors of Heart Function

    Is there a possible underlying cause for DCM?

    While the exact cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs is still unknown, there has been more recent research and data on DCM in dogs.

    Environmental factors that can cause heart failure may include:

    1. Being overweight or obese
    2. An unbalanced diet
    3. Exposure to toxins, like lead poisoning
    4. A viral infection, like the canine parvovirus
    5. Heartworm disease
    6. Certain types of drugs and chemicals that might be toxic to the heart muscle
    7. A grain free diet
    8. Taurine Deficiency
    9. Over feeding or not feeding the right nutritional supplements
    10. Certain diets

    Grain Free Diets and DCM

    Although not a definitive cause, the data is becoming louder and louder that feeding a grain free diet will cause dcm in dogs.

    However, it isn’t the lack of grain that is the problem.

    Grain free kibble’s are formulated with an abundance of legumes such as lentils, peas, chickpeas etc. These ingredients contain a type of carbohydrate called lectins that can bind to heart muscle and disrupt its normal function.

    These grains free diets may also be low in the essential amino acid Taurine which is important for keeping the heart healthy.

    DCM in dogs has very recently been linked even closer to a grain free diet in a study released in December of 2022. DCM in dogs is a serious disease. If you are feeding your dog a grain free diet with the filler/binder being a legume/pea/chickpea etc, you should speak with your veterinarian to discuss other nutrition options.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    Should I Feed Grain Free Food to my Great Dane Dog?

    How long can a dog live with Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

    The prognosis for dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy varies based on the severity of the condition and how well it is managed. While some dogs may live only a few months after diagnosis, others can manage their condition with medication and nutritional support to extend their life expectancy by years or even decades.

    It is important to work with your veterinarian to monitor your dog’s condition and adjust treatment when necessary. With appropriate care, many dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy can live happy, healthy lives despite their diagnosis.

    Can dogs recover from dilated cardiomyopathy?

    DCM in dogs is a scary diagnosis. Heart failure is never something that any pet parent wants to hear in relation to their dog.

    Without being treated, small clinical signs like labored breathing can quickly turn into sudden death from heart failure.

    But, with the appropriate changes in diet, lifestyle and medication, it is possible for dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy to recover. While recovery is not guaranteed, following your veterinarian’s recommendations will give your pup the best chance for a full recovery and a healthier life.

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    DCM in Dogs is a Lifetime Disease Process

    It is also important to remember that dilated cardiomyopathy cannot be cured; treatment is focused on managing the condition and helping your pup live a longer, healthier life.

    Your veterinarian will likely recommend regular check-ups to monitor your pup’s condition and adjust treatment as needed. Your dog may also require medical interventions such as medications, supplements, and occasionally even surgeries such as pacemaker placements or transaortic valve replacements.

    It is possible for dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy to live long, happy lives with appropriate management and care. With the right diet and lifestyle changes, you can help your pup manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

    Read more:
    Can Puppies Eat Adult Dog Food? The Scary Truth of Feeding a Great Dane Puppy
    How to Choose the Best Dry Dog Food for a Great Dane
    Great Dane Homemade Dog Food
    What Health Tests do Great Danes Need for Breeding?
    7 Deadly Risks: Fat Great Danes Face Serious Health Risks
  • Dr. Judy Morgan, DCM and the FDA

    Dr. Judy Morgan, DCM and the FDA

    Those of you heavily invested in dogs (as we are) have probably heard about the FDA and DCM as it relates to grain-free dog foods and boutique (BEG) diets causing heart disease. You may also have heard a lot about Dr. Judy Morgan and want to know if she is a legitimate, trustworthy source of information.

    This topic is a HOT one and we’re coming in with all the tea. What prompted this post?

    Oh, just Dr. Judy Morgan (an influencer) posting something that was blatantly anti-science and having thousands of followers blindly follow her without any critical thinking.

    It’s been months since I wrote this post, and now Dr. Morgan has launched a profitable smear campaign against all dog kibble.

    Dr. Morgan is a controversial figure in the world of veterinary medicine, and if you follow her, or want to know if she’s a reliable source of information, this post is for you.

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    Is Dr. Judy Morgan a Legitimate Veterinarian?

    Dr. Judy Morgan is a licensed veterinarian in at least one state. From what we understand she no longer practices medicine the traditional way.

    U.S. law prohibits her from diagnosing and treating disease via telehealth or online consultations in most cases, so she generally sticks to ‘nutritional consultations’.

    On her website, Dr. Morgan highlights her certifications of unknown origin in chiropractic care, acupuncture, and food therapy, which are all offered with a “holistic” mindset.

    Dr. Morgan makes her money through affiliate links and speaking engagements, as well as by selling “holistic” supplements, food, recipes, books, and online nutrition courses.

    Despite claiming to be a nutrition expert, Dr. Morgan is NOT actually boarded in nutrition. That title is reserved for a select few veterinarians who complete a nutrition residency, pass rigorous exams and present legitimate nutrition research. She has done none of these things.

    www.acvn.org

    This wouldn’t normally be an issue, except that she promotes herself as a nutrition expert and goes on to actively denounce the opinions, studies, research, and mentoring provided by veterinary professionals with much more advanced credentials in nutrition than she has.

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    Dr. Morgan, Dr. Becker, and Holistic Pet Care

    You may have heard a few big names in the “holistic pet care” community. Dr. Morgan, Dr. Karen Becker, and Dr. Marty come to mind.

    What does the word “holistic” mean?

    “It is characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness.”

    Holistic pet care, an approach that evaluates the animal’s whole body health, absolutely has a place. Most people use many “holistic” and whole-food approaches in their own home!

    For example, we address exhaustion by eating a healthier diet and nailing down the reasons for the anxiety that keeps us up at night. Or we might choose ibuprofen to tackle a severe headache, and chase it with lemon water to aid in digestive upset.

    We give our dogs Olewo carrots to help with loose stools and fish oil to help with coat and skin health.

    The idea of holistic pet care is a good one, actually a great one.
    The word “holistic”, however, has been bastardized.

    Through marketing, people have come to believe that something labeled as “holistic” is higher quality, better, healthier, and more natural.

    Where “holistic” fails is that it’s become associated with a lot of pseudoscience and misinformation.

    Being more “natural” isn’t necessarily a good thing. Arsenic is perfectly natural, for example.

    The “appeal to nature fallacy” is a great discussion on this very thing. (Read more about this topic HERE).

    Unfortunately, “holistic” is an unregulated term. There is no legal definition and therefore, any food brand, veterinarian, practice, or supplement can claim to be “holistic”, no matter what. This term is being abused.

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    Pseudoscience & Cherry Picking in Holistic Pet Care

    Here is where my concerns with celebrity Veterinarians such as Dr. Judy Morgan (and her “holistic” colleagues) come into play:

    They often denounce evidence-based medicine and nutrition information, discredit their peers, and re-frame official statements from the FDA.

    Doing so is VERY profitable for celebrity veterinarians! Click-bait style headlines drive engagement, traffic, and sales.

    Keep in mind that Dr. Judy Morgan’s end goal is profits: she wants followers to purchase her supplements, books, and recipes.

    That’s completely fair. We all want to make money by sharing our talents with the world. It is not to say that Dr. Morgan has never contributed valuable information and content. She has! I’m sure many people have learned valuable things that helped them with their pets.

    I believe it’s essential for us to scrutinize prominent influencers, however. When their views are perceived as controversial or deviate from the mainstream, it’s crucial to dig deeper and ask additional questions. Especially if their platform relies heavily on discrediting peers who hold a more popular, or science-backed opinion on something.

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    How are Pseudoscience and the FDA Reports on DCM Connected?

    To put this simply, Judy Morgan is a master at interpreting and presenting research, science, and official statements to suit her needs and the desires of her followers. This is a great talent to have, but also, a really good thing to keep in mind when assessing how media and content can be used to engage, mislead, inspire, or even manipulate us.

    Let’s explore this further. Grain-free diets and their potential link to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) have become a contentious issue, sparking a debate between scientists and researchers on one side and the ‘holistic’ pet community on the other.

    In December 2022 the FDA released an updated statement on its page about dietary DCM in dogs.

    Dietary DCM is a complex issue, with multiple research studies having been developed to address concerns related to dogs developing heart disease on certain diets.

    Because researchers have yet to pin down the reasons why it happens, many people in the holistic pet community have promoted that it’s a hoax made up by big pet food companies.

    You can see the FDA DCM announcement page HERE.

    The statement reads:

    December 23, 2022: 

    “FDA does not intend to release further public updates until there is meaningful new scientific information to share. A count of reports of DCM in dogs submitted to FDA as of November 1, 2022, has been added to Questions & Answers: FDA’s Work on Potential Causes of Non-Hereditary DCM in Dogs. FDA has followed up on a subset of these reports, but is unable to investigate every report to verify or confirm the reported information. While adverse event numbers can be a potential signal of an issue with an FDA regulated product, by themselves, they do not supply sufficient data to establish a causal relationship with reported product(s). FDA continues to encourage research and collaboration by academia, veterinarians, and industry.“

    Let’s dig in, shall we?

    The scientific and critically curated summary of the FDA statement on DCM is as follows:

    • The FDA was unable to thoroughly investigate every report (of which there were many) submitted to them
    • Adverse event numbers such as the reports submitted above could signal a problem, however, that factor alone isn’t enough to definitively create a correlation between grain-free foods and DCM
    • The research related to this topic has been passed off to researchers to continue investigating (they are more qualified than the FDA)
    • Finally, the FDA will withhold further public updates until additional scientific information is available (further updates may be incoming in the future)

    On the flip side, Dr. Judy Morgan has interpreted the statement to say (paraphrased) that “the FDA called bullshit on the DCM/Grain-Free link, it doesn’t exist, it’s made up by “big dog food” to generate profits, and the discussion is over”.

    These deliberate wording choices are made to trigger emotions that breed suspicion, anxiety, conspiracy theories, and distrust. The resulting emotions and beliefs can be used to manipulate and leverage entire groups of people into believing something that has absolutely no scientific backing.

    She even goes on to say that “millions of pets were switched to poor quality pet food brands because big pet food companies used their influence on the FDA to make more money!“, a statement that has absolutely no proof behind it.

    (Have you heard about the wellness to QAnon pipeline? It fits into this discussion. If you want some more tea, dig in HERE)

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    DCM & Grain-Free Dog Food

    Now, if you aren’t up-and-up on the whole grain-free heart disease thing, this entire conversation may be a little confusing to you. So here is a summary:

    Around 2014, board-certified veterinary cardiologists (heart doctors) noticed an alarming trend. Dogs with no genetic link to DCM were turning up with heart disease. Since then, 100’s more reports have been filed, with new ones coming weekly.

    When they looked into this, most of the dogs with this disease (confirmed) had been eating boutique grain-free foods (which at the time were trending alongside boutique and “holistic” food options that were marketed as higher quality).

    In 2019 the FDA released a statement citing that a handful of brands were highly associated with this correlation. Those brands included foods by Fromm, Acana, Zignature, and 4Health.

    None of the implicated brands have a qualified person on staff to formulate the food they are selling.

    Following the release of that statement, pulse & legume growers (whose profits largely came from dog food brands like the ones listed in the report) went to bat. Financial motivations from these farmers (note, not big dog food!) began to complicate things.

    Despite this, multiple studies continued to show a correlation between nutrition and heart disease. However, the correlation, as it turns out, had little to do with a lack of grains or low taurine.

    It appeared to be related to pulse ingredients (peas, potatoes, legumes, chickpeas) and their use in formulation as a whole.

    In other words, it’s NOT grain-free that is the issue. Just as the FDA has said.

    If a dog food brand uses a lot of peas, potatoes, beans, and chickpeas in their food, whether the food has grain or not, they often effectively replace a lot of actual meat (and certain amino acids, which are necessary for heart health) with plants.

    Anybody who doesn’t think that’s a problem is fooling themselves.

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    Holistic Veterinarians and Ignoring the Science

    To date, multiple studies have shown that there is a link between poorly formulated foods and dogs developing heart disease. Veterinary Cardiologists also report positive outcomes for dogs with nutritional DCM, when they are switched to a properly formulated (and often grain-inclusive) diet.

    The most recent study (December, 2022), indicated that every single one of 23 dogs who were fed non-traditional diets (foods with a lot of peas, potatoes, or legumes) had changes to their heart muscle.

    Why is the holistic community, and influencers like Dr. Morgan ignoring the published research on this topic?

    We have questions about how the “holistic” community reconciles their deep concern about a potential conspiracy within “big dog food” while overlooking the fact that many of their favored “holistic” foods lack formulation oversight from individuals with veterinary or nutrition credentials.

    Those “better foods” are often co-packed in factories handling multiple brands. They aren’t better.

    What leads her to dismiss the existence or significance of the nutrition-DCM link, despite numerous confirmed diagnoses, while concurrently promoting the view that veterinary flea and tick preventatives are harmful and always toxic because a handful of dogs had a negative reaction?

    It’s confusing and alarming.

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    One Simple Answer – Marketing Rules

    Dr. Judy Morgan operates by keeping people suspicious and full of anxiety about anything mainstream or evidence-based. Vaccines, flea and tick prevention, and pet food are all targets.

    It’s one thing to promote sea kelp (brown algae) for dental health (heck, my veterinarian promotes this and we use it in our home). This is a legitimate “holistic” whole food remedy that has science behind it.

    It’s another to cherry pick science and studies to intentionally drive mistrust for veterinary medicine and pet foods that are backed by dedicated teams of highly educated and experienced researchers and boarded nutritionists.

    If only Dr. Morgan could stick to selling science-backed supplements (including sea kelp) and balanced home dog food recipes.

    13 1

    More Information on DCM, Nutrition & Science-Backed Research

    Are you with us? Would you like to get away from pseudoscience?
    I will add to this list as more information becomes available:

    All Trades DVM Famous DCM Timeline

    Is the DCM Debate Over?

    Report Nutritional DCM to the FDA (yes, they are still accepting reports!)

    Comparison of Echocardiograms Between Dogs Fed Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Diets

    Veterinary Science and the FDA

    Tufts University Petfoodology

    https://skeptvet.com/Blog/

    https://nutritionrvn.com/

    Balance It (Balanced Home Cooked Diets Calculator)

    Holistic Veterinarians and Therapeutic Diets

    5 4

    Should I Feed My Dog Grain Free?

    Only you can decide.

    It makes no sense to feed dogs a diet that is comprised mostly of peas, potatoes, and legumes in place of meat.

    Unfortunately, most grain-free foods are loaded with those ingredients. If they aren’t loaded, they are also often from companies that don’t employ qualified staff to formulate the diet.

    We recommend feeding a large or giant breed dry diet from an established brand with a large market share such as Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, Iams, or Eukanuba and thoughtfully supplementing the diet with balanced fresh or canned foods to reduce the risk of bloat.

    Some extremely dedicated, educated owners who are working with veterinary nutritionists may also be interested in looking into fully home-cooked diets.

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    Dr. Judy Morgan and the Purina Panic

    This paragraph is a new update to this post, as of January 2024.

    A now-debunked viral post on Facebook (December 2023) speculating that “toxic levels of metal” in Purina Pro Plan killed a dog became the kindling for what I call the “Purina Panic”.

    People who read that viral post shared it with commentary such as “See, I keep telling you Purina is bad, when will you listen?”

    The fire grew. As people read it, they began to be concerned that their pet’s health problems were caused by Purina, so they shared their story.

    Vomiting? Purina.

    Diarrhea? Purina.

    Bad dreams? Purina

    Weakness? Purina

    You get the idea. A Facebook group, with Dr. Judy Morgan as an administrator and “veterinary expert” became a hub for this activity. The group exploded almost overnight, with thousands of people joining to blame their pet’s random health problems on Purina.

    Some dogs had died of Parvo. Their deaths were blamed on Purina, and Dr. Morgan and her loyal advocates were there to swoop in and provide the solution. Seizures are a common genetic disorder, but Purina is taking the blame.

    Conveniently, all members need to do is visit Dr. Morgans’s website for courses and supplements to detox their pets.

    The group is convinced that a “recall is coming” and claims that thousands of dogs have definitively been harmed or killed by Purina pet foods. Meanwhile, the group leadership is discouraging people from sharing their pet’s medical records with the FDA or with Purina and has told them not to get the food tested, either.

    I’m going to make a controversial statement here. This anti-Purina rhetoric is nothing more than profit-driven fear-mongering, and the activity of the group promoting the panic is scarily suspicious of cult behavior.

    I have many thoughts on the topics of social panic and cult-like behavior, which I cover more in-depth in our new blog post “Is Purina Making Sogs Sick”. You can read that HERE.

    I suppose I haven’t truly summarized why Dr. Morgan is so concerning to the pet community, but if you’ve made it this far into my post, please leave a comment! We’d love to hear from you, no matter which side of the fence you stand on. Unlike the Purina Panic group, we don’t shut down our critics. All we ask is that you bring critical thinking and an open mind to the table.

    Cheers!

  • Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Update

    We’ve been closely watching and monitoring information and studies in regard to dietary DCM in dogs. DCM is a deadly heart condition that often results in the sudden and unexplained death of otherwise ‘healthy’ looking dogs. This condition is often seen in relation to feeding grain-free or boutique dog kibbles.

    A new DCM dog food study came out this week (December 2022) and the results are unfortunately concerning.

    We are now several studies on nutritional DCM, and every single one has shown this same correlation: certain diets are causing heart disease in dogs.

    If you have a dog and are trying to find the healthiest and safest dog food to feed them, you need to read this update.

    Before we dig into the nitty gritty of this study, I will summarize the results with a quote directly from the abstract:

    “Healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets had lower indices of systolic function and larger left ventricular volumes compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Screening of apparently healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets might allow for early detection of diet-associated DCM.”

    In other words; dogs fed certain diets had alarming changes to their heart muscle. Whether we want to hear it or not, there are dog foods on the market that are causing heart disease in dogs, and you may be feeding one of them!

    The results of this study were published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and can be viewed HERE.

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    Defining the ‘Non-Traditional’ Dog Food Diet

    To better understand this study, we have to define what a non-traditional dog food diet is.

    “Nontraditional diets were defined as those that contained pulse ingredients as main ingredients”

    Pulse ingredients may include:

    • Peas
    • Garbanzo beans/chickpeas
    • Lentils
    • Potatoes
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Beans

    Here is an example of an ingredient list with a lot of non-traditional ingredients, including lentils, pinto beans, peas, navy beans, and chickpeas.

    Screen Shot 2022 12 16 at 9.54.21 AM
    hand putting dog treats on bowl Dietary DCM in dogs update

    Dietary DCM in Dogs Study Details

    For this study, they recruited 46 healthy adult dogs over the age of 3.

    They did not use dogs with a known genetic link to DCM such as Great Danes, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, or Portuguese Water Dogs.

    All 46 dogs chosen were determined to be healthy at the onset of the study. Dogs that were not chosen were excluded for a number of reasons, including existing heart issues and other health conditions. Those receiving medications or taurine supplements were also excluded.

    This means that at the beginning of the study, all 46 dogs had normal, healthy hearts.

    They tried to match breeds between the two groups.

    For example, if a Viszla was in the non-traditional diet group, they tried to place a Viszla in the traditional diet group as well.

    90% of the food that the dogs ate had to be provided by a single dry-extruded food, and the dog’s diets and the ingredients in them were well documented.

    This study shows that many efforts were made to ensure a clean, accurate, fair, and informational result. It’s important to note that there are ethical dilemmas associated with studying something that, based on current knowledge, could potentially harm one of the groups in the study.

    That makes dietary DCM difficult to study, because more and more evidence is showing an alarming correlation (note: likely causation). We also have to take note of the fact that studying something like this takes years! Each study can really only look at one small factor.

    At least 12 studies to date have shown that this is happening; nutritional DCM is real. It is not a scam cooked up by large dog food companies.

    If we are to think logically, feeding dogs diets that are heavy in peas, legumes, pulses, or potatoes isn’t going to be good for them…no matter how we spin it.

    smiling black lady training dog in green park

    DCM Study Results: Changes in Heart Function

    None of us here are veterinarians, but we can all agree that the following statement from the DCM study is alarming:

    “In this study of apparently healthy dogs, those eating nontraditional diets had lower systolic function compared to those eating traditional diets using 2D and 3D echocardiographic measurements of EF, as well as GLS.”

    In other words, 23 dogs who began the study with healthy, normal hearts in the “non-traditional diets” group ended the study with signs that their heart muscle and function had changed for the worse.

    Many Veterinary Cardiologists and veterinarians have been alarmed and concerned about a potential link between certain dog food diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. This study along with many others (which can be seen here) are collectively building a strong and concerning case that not all dog foods are created equal.

    So what makes a diet safe or not safe for your dog? Let’s dig in.

    greyhound dog watching elderly owner reading book

    Non-Traditional Dog Food Examples

    Here are some examples of the kind of non-traditional dog food brands that are similar to or identical to the foods fed in the study. Please note, that these are just a handful of examples in a dog food market with literally thousands of choices.

    This is not to say that these diets below are going to hurt your dog’s heart, but we highly suggest avoiding foods like this until additional information comes out regarding dog food and nutritional DCM.

    Please note that some companies use ingredient splitting to move pulse and non-traditional ingredients lower on the list. A food with peas lower on the list could still actually be very high in peas.

    In general, basing your dog food choice solely on the ingredients list is not the best way to make a decision, however, in this case, the ingredients list will provide valuable information.

    Note how the examples below:

    • May include multiple non-traditional or pulse ingredients, not just one
    • Might have ‘split’ ingredients into multiple forms (peas + pea protein + pea fiber + pea flour + pea starch)
    • May or may not include added taurine. Taurine does NOT prevent nutritional DCM.
    • Often present their food as “high-quality”, “holistic”, “natural”, and “free of fillers and by-products”
    • Are often sold at a premium price point

    NOTE: by intentionally splitting single ingredients into 2 or more parts (peas + pea protein + pea fiber + pea flour) or using multiple different pulse ingredients (lentils, peas, potatoes), food companies can make the recipe appear to be meat-focused.

    Add those ingredients up, however. If you put them all together in a bowl, it’s likely they actually outweigh the meat that was included in the formula.

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    Ingredients in Wellness Core Large Breed Dog Food:

    Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Turkey Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Peas, Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Pea Fiber, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Spinach, Broccoli, Carrots, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Kale, Choline Chloride, L-Carnitine, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract. This is a naturally preserved product.

    64387 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1669946237 1 1

    Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Large Breed Rocky Mountain Recipe

    Deboned Beef, Fish Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Pea Protein, Beef Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Potatoes, Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Canola Oil (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg Product, Fish Oil (Source Of Epa-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Deboned Lamb, Deboned Venison, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Chicory Root, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Taurine, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary.

    75677 MAIN. AC SL1200 V1646272965 1

    Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Basics Large Breed

    Deboned Lamb, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Peas, Lamb Meal, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Pea Fiber, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Potato Starch, Fish Oil (source of EPA-Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Choline Chloride, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Chondroitin Sulfate, L-Carnitine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

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    Ingredients in Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

    Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Lentils, Salmon Meal, Smoke-Flavored Salmon, Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.

    a person with long wavy hair hugging a dog

    Grain-Free Foods and DCM

    Unfortunately, a large percentage of studies show a correlation between DCM and grain-free foods. This is because many grain-free diets have replaced grains with suspect ingredients such as peas, potatoes, and legumes.

    However, dogs fed grain-inclusive foods are also turning up with nutritional DCM. While it’s more commonly seen in dogs fed grain-free foods, the lack of grains itself is not necessarily to blame.

    This is 100% a formulation issue that is complex and likely has many factors.

    This information can be scary for pet owners who, understandably, aren’t sure how to choose safe and healthy dog food for their pets!

    Here is what we do know:

    • A shiny coat and good stools are nice, but, it’s not an indication that the food is healthy or safe.
    • Many dogs with nutritional DCM show few signs at all until one day, they have a “heart attack” and die. They may even have been ‘healthy’ just moments before their death.
    • Some dogs with nutrition DCM do show signs. We’ve shared the signs of DCM in dogs below.
    • IMPORTANT: adding grains or taurine to a poorly formulated diet does not prevent or treat nutritional DCM.
    • Many common signs of nutritional DCM are easy to write off as ‘aging’ or ‘laziness’.
    • Dogs with nutritional DCM typically have normal taurine levels.

    If you have been feeding a suspect diet, in particular a diet with a lot of pulse ingredients or legumes including peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, or lentils, it may be smart to see the veterinarian and request an echocardiogram. We also recommend changing your dogs diet.

    papillon licking face of woman stroking labrador retriever in nature

    What are the Signs of DCM in Dogs?

    DCM is primarily a genetic disorder, and yes, Great Danes are prone to it.

    That makes the nutritional aspect of DCM even more alarming: for dogs with a genetic risk, choosing the wrong diet effectively increases the chance that they may suffer from heart problems.

    While many dogs with DCM (especially secondary DCM, caused by nutrition) will show no signs at all (and may even appear healthy and shiny), many others will show symptoms. These symptoms can be subtle and mistaken for other things.

    Symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs

    • Low energy (including being “lazy” or the assumption that it’s normal because they are “getting older”)
    • Poor muscle tone, including a loss of muscle tone or even atrophy
    • Anorexia and weight loss
    • Intolerance to heat or exercise
    • Panting
    • Pale gums
    • Coughing
    • Irregular heart rhythm
    • Weak pulse
    • Distended abdomen
    • Collapse

    As a whole, nutritional DCM is considered “rare”. However it’s important to note that many cases of it are never officially diagnosed and documented. If an otherwise “healthy” dog dies randomly, it is most often considered to be caused by a heart attack.

    These cases are not often included in nutritional DCM statistics. Most people understandably do not pay to have advanced diagnostics done on their deceased pet. Documented, verified cases of nutritional DCM have to meet certain guidelines.

    (To see cases of nutritional DCM being documented in real time, as well as information regarding brands that were being fed at the time of diagnosis, visit the Diet Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy page HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1952593284998859)

    photography of three dogs looking up

    What Dog Foods Do Not Cause DCM?

    Because we don’t entirely yet understand why some foods cause DCM and not others (though, the picture is becoming more clear, as we’ve seen in the recent DCM study), it’s hard to say definitively whether one particular food will cause or not cause DCM.

    There is one common factor that is worth noting, however.

    Dogs being fed well-researched brands that have board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists formulating the diet are not turning up with Nutritional DCM.

    As a matter of fact, time and time again, dogs with nutritional DCM are recovering when they are switched to a properly-formulated grain-inclusive diet.

    Catching the disease early is a key element to treating N-DCM with a diet change.

    What is a properly formulated, grain-inclusive diet?

    It will meet the following guidelines:

    • They will have at least one Board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulating the diets (ideally several of them) and they should be employed by the company – not working as consultants
    • Those companies should also employ qualified staff focused on food science, toxicology, microbiology, and quality control
    • Have a commitment to peer-reviewed science and research, indicating that they are advancing our understanding of veterinary medicine, nutrition, disease, growth, and health; all knowledge that can be applied to nutritional formulations
    • Will do feeding trials, proving formulations and bioavailability in “real life”, not just on paper (which is the bare minimum)
    • Owned facilities, not co-packed
    • Strict quality-control procedures and guidelines
    • Traditional formulation containing meat meal, meat by-product meal, and traditional (well-researched) grains such as rice, oats, or corn

    The primary brands that check all of these boxes include:
    Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, and Iam’s.

    If you are unsure if your pet food meets these basic ethical guidelines, send them an email! Be a saavy consumer, watch for signs that they are intentionally misleading you.

    For example:

    • “We have a team of nutrition professionals” (Note the avoidance of the word ‘we employ’, implying that their team is likely made up of consultants who may do nothing more than check a box)
    • “Our food is packed in a USDA facility” (Making a co-packing situation sound good; this company doesn’t own their facilities and has less control over the final product)
    • “We do our research and feeding trials in-house” (This often means that they aren’t willing or able to have their research peer-reviewed and critiqued and thus, anything goes…including the ‘results’)

      You can also check some of the stats on your food brand at the Pet Nutrition Alliance.

    Additionally, here is a great video on how to choose a pet food for your dog:

  • What Health Tests do Great Danes Need for Breeding?

    What Health Tests do Great Danes Need for Breeding?

    Are you thinking about breeding a Great Dane or purchasing a puppy? We’ve put together a fantastic post today with a ton of information about what to look for in a breeder, and what testing should be done.

    There are four tests recommended by the Great Dane Club of America. These tests should be completed on both the dam and the sire prior to breeding, and the dog being tested should pass all of these with good or excellent results.

    The four tests are heart, hips, eyes, and thyroid. It is unethical to skip any one of these tests for any reason.

    I’m going to cover the Great Dane Club of America recommendations in more detail below!

    What Health Tests do Great Danes Need For Breeding?

    what health tests do Great Danes need before breeding?

    Heart Echocardiogram

    The heart should be evaluated with an echocardiogram prior to breeding to rule out heart disease and congenital heart defects.

    This is a non-invasive test that will give the veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary cardiologist a good idea of the size and function of the heart.

    Cardiac screening is one of the most important tests a breeder can do for the health of the puppies and the dogs being bred. A healthy heart is absolutely necessary for a Dam experiencing pregnancy and whelping, and for the stud, too!

    (Read here why grain-free and boutique dog foods may be bad for your dog’s heart!)

    Not only is this helpful for the health of the dogs being bred, but the test results can help rule out DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), heart murmurs, and other genetic or environmental heart problems seen in Great Danes.

    Heart disease is a top killer of Great Danes.

    14

    Hips X-Ray

    There are two acceptable forms of hip testing, which can help rule out hip dysplasia. PennHip (which is more comprehensive) and OFA Hips.

    Both of these tests are done by x-raying the dog’s hips and then submitting the x-rays to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for interpretation. Anesthesia may be required.

    The radiologists will examine the images of dogs’ hips and rate them fair, good, excellent, or normal.

    The results of these tests will be given as a “hip score.”

    OFA Hip tests should not be completed in Great Danes prior to age 2. Some breeders choose PennHIP testing, as it will provide preliminary results (prior to age 2) that can be helpful in determining the course of a breeding program.

    Great Danes should NEVER be bred prior to age 2, and the final hip results that count towards a CHIC # (see below) cannot be completed until after age 2.

    Hip dysplasia is a painful condition that has many environmental factors, but can also be genetic.

    Dogs with a genetic link to hip dysplasia are more likely to suffer from environmental factors (such as poor nutrition) that affect the hips and elbows.

    15

    Eyes Examination

    An eye exam should be performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist prior to breeding.

    This is a non-invasive test that will evaluate the health of the eyes and rule out any genetic eye problems.

    A quick look of the eyes by a veterinarian is not a proper OFA Eye Certification. The dog must be seen by the ophthalmologist and undergo a series of tests.

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    Thyroid Testing

    The thyroid should be evaluated with a blood test prior to breeding. This is a simple blood test that will assess the function of the thyroid gland and check the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood.

    Thyroid disease is relatively common in Great Danes and can cause a variety of health problems. It can also be genetic and should not be passed on to puppies.

    Thyroid testing is a simple, inexpensive health test that can go a long way toward reducing the genetic incidence of the disease.

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    Genetic Screening for Great Danes

    In addition to basic OFA health testing mentioned above, diligent breeders should also be focused on the pedigree and eliminating common genetic disorders such as DCM, cancer, entropion, aggression, bloat, wobblers, blood clotting disorders, and degenerative disease.

    If a dog is bred without the breeder being aware of the genes carrying certain diseases into the offspring, there is a much higher chance that the puppies will be affected.

    There are genetic tests available to rule many common disorders out, however, a deep dive into the health and genetics of the pedigree in a breeding program can be insightful as well!

    We’ve included information about common genetic screening tests for Great Danes HERE.

    Ear Cropping Great Danes
    Ear Cropping Great Danes

    Color Testing

    Color testing in Great Danes gives breeders a better picture of what coat colors may be possible with certain pairings.

    This may important information for breeders who want to stick with the 7 accepted breed colors (Mantle, Merle, Black, Blue, Brindle, Fawn, Harlequin), or even for those who want to venture outside of it (a practice that we take a discouraging but somewhat neutral stance on).

    Color testing is especially important for breeders who want to avoid the accidental creation of double-merle Great Dane puppies.

    Double Merle Great Danes are often born deaf, blind, or both. They are also at a higher risk for other health issues. Color testing can eliminate the chance of this happening.

    Read HERE to learn more about white double-merle Great Dane Puppies.

    IMGD

    IMGD is a progressive disorder that causes muscle atrophy and weakness.

    A genetic test available through UC Davis can help rule it out.

    https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/imgd

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    PRA-prcd

    PRA-prcd is a progressive eye disease that leads to blindness. A genetic test is available through UC Davis.

    https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pra-prcd

    Bloat

    Bloat, AKA “GDV” is primarily a genetic disorder. It is also deadly.

    VetGen offers a screening option that looks for markers that have been associated with a high-risk factor of bloat / GDV in dogs.

    Dogs with a history of bloat in the immediate pedigree, or who are generally anxious and timid, should never be bred.

    https://www.vetgen.com/canine-gdv.html

    Pedigree Research

    Of course, there are many other diseases and conditions that can be passed onto puppies. For this reason, good old-fashioned pedigree research is key.

    This is a time-consuming but important task for any breeder. Reducing the chance of health conditions can ensure that the dogs produced are able to live a long and healthy life.

    Knowing the health history not only of the parents but of the grandparents, great-grandparents, and even further back can offer a pretty good idea of what health concerns may be lurking!

    Some common congenital problems that may be seen in a study of the pedigree include Von Willebrand’s Disease, wobblers, Addison’s disease, and dilated cardiomyopathy among others.

    instagram.com/deardanes
    www.instagram.com/deardanes

    What is OFA?

    OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

    It is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1966 with the goal of reducing crippling hip dysplasia in dogs. Since that time, it has grown to include health testing recommendations for other genetic disorders, too.

    You can see the Great Dane health testing recommendations HERE.

    The OFA offers health screening and certification services for a variety of conditions in many different breeds of dogs, in addition to a public database for breeders to share the results.

    When responsible breeders complete the recommended health tests, they can log the results into the searchable OFA database for others to find.

    A proper OFA exam is not the same as a “vet check!”

    OFA health tests have specific practices and additional paperwork outlined for each. A veterinarian will be able to direct you towards booking the correct appointments.

    Some veterinarians will offer OFA Clinics at AKC Dog Shows to make it easier for breeders to book and complete appointments.

    Click here to see an example of a Great Dane from Grateful Danes that was properly health tested and CHIC certified, and registered with the OFA.

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    What is a CHIC Number?

    A CHIC number is awarded to dogs that have OFA certification for all of the recommended or required health tests.

    Some health tests (such as cardiac screening) may need to be repeated yearly or prior to breeding, depending on how much time has passed and how dedicated the breeder is.

    It’s important to note that a CHIC number can still be awarded, even if the dog did not pass the health screenings.

    Make sure to look at the results of the registered health tests before deciding on the breeder you want to work with.

    The CHIC number aims to ensure that at minimum, breeders are obtaining full health testing for their dogs.

    A CHIC # paired with outstanding test results is a badge of honor.

    We recommend supporting ethical breeders who are wanting to eliminate health issues in the pedigree through diligent health testing and by obtaining CHIC #’s for their dogs.

    https://ofa.org/chic-programs/

    243548 340x340 2 great dane puppy

    Why is Health Testing Important?

    It’s easy for breeders to make health claims about their puppies based on anecdotal evidence, but having actual test results speak volumes.

    Fully health-tested dogs are much less likely to pass painful or deadly disorders and conditions onto puppies.

    Because Great Danes are a giant breed dog, health testing is even more important!

    The lifespan of a Great Dane is reduced by genetic disorders.

    Good breeders are working to turn those statistics around.

    Health Test Excuses

    Some breeders will make excuses for why their dogs are missing health tests.

    For example, they may say that hip, heart, or eye testing is unreliable and puppies may get the disease even if the parents were fully tested, so it’s pointless.

    Or they will tell you that their dogs have a long health history with no problems and don’t need more tests.

    Worst of all, they will tell you that they don’t have access to proper testing because OFA veterinary clinics are too far of a drive.

    If we dig deeper into that statement, what we are hearing is that the breeder may not have quick access to quality veterinary care for the dogs being bred in the first place. That’s unfair and potentially deadly to the Dam and the puppies.

    Many show breeders will travel several states over to prove their dogs in a show ring. A 2-4 hour drive to find an OFA veterinarian should not be a barrier for anybody who wants to ethically breed dogs.

    In our honest opinion, there is no legitimate excuse. Exceptional breeders who care about the breed will fully OFA test their breeding stock prior to breeding. It’s that simple.

    Great Dane laying down outdoors next to her puppy 500x486 1
    Great Dane laying down outdoors next to her puppy.

    Backyard Breeding

    Many backyard breeders are friendly and have beautiful websites and cute puppies. However, don’t be fooled!

    If a breeder claims to have health certifications and ‘genetic screening’ results but doesn’t have any specific test names or numbers to match up with those claims, they are likely not being truthful.

    Remember, a veterinary check or EMBARK study is NOT health testing!

    In order to verify the validity of a breeder’s health claims, you should always look up their dog’s test results on the OFA website.

    The breeder’s kennel name, the dog’s registered name, or their registration number should be all that is needed.

    If they are missing tests (heart, hips, eyes, thyroid), have poor or fair test results, or aren’t registered at all, RUN! This is not a breeder you should support.

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    How Much Does it Cost to Health Test a Dog For Breeding?

    The cost of health testing a Great Dane for breeding purposes can range from $500-$2500, depending on the number and types of tests being done, in addition to the local cost of living.

    Some tests (such as cardiac screening or thyroid) need to be repeated every 1-3 years.

    Great Dane puppies from healthy, properly tested breeding stock are more likely to live long and robust lives. Those puppies will continue to pass on their good genetics, too!

    Good breeders are worth every penny that they charge, as they are dedicating a lot of time, effort, and money to their breeding program.

    Hold your Great Dane breeder to a higher standard! Look for breeders that participate in the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals CHIC program, whose Danes are family members first, and who will support you and your healthy puppy for life.

  • Is a Grain-Free Diet for Dogs Healthier?

    Is a Grain-Free Diet for Dogs Healthier?

    Grain-free options are all the rage at natural pet food stores. Is a grain-free diet for dogs healthier than something with rice, corn, oats, or wheat? Should you feed your dog grain-free? Does grain-free food resolve allergy symptoms such as itching, ear infections, and hot spots?

    Feeding grain-free foods to dogs has gained significant popularity in recent years, driven by human diet trends of eliminating grains from the diet. Many pet owners are drawn to this trend, thinking it aligns with a more natural and ancestral canine diet. However, the decision to go grain-free should be made with careful consideration and an understanding of the potential implications.

    DCM (a form of deadly heart disease) is one such problem associated with feeding grain free kibble to dogs.

    In this article, we will dig into the concept of grain-free diets for dogs, exploring the reasons behind this dietary choice (including going grain-free for allergies), the pros and cons, and the essential factors to keep in mind when deciding if it’s the right choice for your pet.

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    Is Grain Free Dog Food Lower Carb?

    Contrary to common belief, grain-free dog food is not necessarily low in carbohydrates.

    While the term “grain-free” suggests the absence of grains like wheat, corn, or rice, it doesn’t guarantee a reduction in carbohydrate content. In many cases, grain-free dry dog foods replace grains (and often some of the meat, too) with alternative carbohydrate sources such as peas, lentils, or potatoes. These ingredients can be just as, if not more so, carbohydrate-rich.

    What’s more, the carbohydrate replacements seen in grain free dry foods (including lentils, peas, and potatoes) continue to be associated with an alarming trend of nutritional DCM. In other words, grain free diets may be contributing to deadly heart disease!

    (Authors note: we realize the DCM “debate” is a controversial one. We are a science-backed blog and cite resources, not propaganda on this topic).

    This means that a grain-free diet might not be the solution for pet owners seeking to provide a low-carb or “keto” option for their dogs.

    Not only that, but there is this misguided belief out there that grain free dog foods, in removing the grains, have more meat. This is a myth that could not be farther from the truth! Grain free dog foods have the same, or less meat content than kibbles that contain grains.

    Understanding the ingredients and nutritional content of grain-free dog food, as well as how pet food formulation works, is essential to make informed choices that align with science, research, and your dog’s dietary needs.

    Grain-Free Diet for Dogs 101

    Grain-free dog food can come in many forms, and won’t contain common grains such as corn, oats, wheat, or rice:

    • Grain-free kibble
    • Freeze-dried raw
    • Grain-free canned food
    • Raw-coated grain-free kibble
    • Air-dried dog food
    • “Fresh” dog food
    • Home-cooked pet recipes
    • Prey-model raw

    Grain-free kibble dog food diets became popular in the early 2000s. At that time, there was a lot of debate surrounding the benefits and drawbacks of grains for both animals and for people.

    Canine health and dog food trends tend to closely follow human diet trends! For example, in 2022 we are seeing a huge rise in the popularity of “fresh”, “keto”, “paleo”, “vegan”, “cricket-based”, and “whole foods” dog food diets.

    Oftentimes, our scientific understanding of these trends is way behind our actual use of them; which can be dangerous and devastating for a dog’s diet.

    Remember when eggs and avocados were considered ‘unhealthy foods’? That’s a trend we now know was wildly incorrect and damaging. Just take a look at human diet trends and toxic diet culture in general!

    Tread cautiously with trends.

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    What are common grains in dog food?

    Common grains in dog food include:

    • Rice, brewers rice, brown rice
    • Corn
    • Wheat
    • Oats
    • Barley
    • Sorghum
    • Quinoa
    • Other “ancient grains” such as amaranth, millet, and rye

    Grain-free foods will not contain those items. All kibbles require a starch of some kind to bind the ingredients together, whether the starch is grain-based (rice), or not (lentils). All dry kibbles contain carbohydrates, in other words.

    It is a myth that ingredients such as corn or rice are “fillers”. This unfortunately misunderstanding is driven by profit driven social influencers, pet stores, and small food brands that make their money by generating fear and anxiety about pet food through misinformation.

    Corn, often a subject of debate in pet food ingredients, is actually be a quality component in many pet food formulations. First and foremost, it is a highly digestible source of carbohydrates, which can provide a steady supply of energy for dogs and cats. It is more digestible than beef (truth!) and is a good source of essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

    To respond to the “grain-free” trend, pet food manufacturers figured out how to replace common grains with grain-free carbohydrates such as lentils, garbanzo beans, peas, and potatoes. Many grain-free kibbles are literally loaded with these ingredients.

    Unfortunately, the carbs included in grain free kibbles have much less data, research, and studies associated with them. On paper they seem to work from a ‘nutritional’ standpoint, but in practice there seems to be problems.

    Biovailability and the complex interplay of nutrients in dog food make a big difference on whether or not a food is truly healthy for your pet.

    Do dogs need grain in their diet?

    There is a lot of conflicting information about whether or not dogs need grains in their diet at all.

    If a dog is offered a whole prey animal to eat, it will rip into the meat, bone, cartilage, and organs (yes, the by-products!) and consume everything, including the contents of the stomach.

    Dogs by nature are scavengers and opportunists: they can and will eat just about anything offered to them. Modern pets are FAR removed from their wild ancestors; their digestive system has actually evolved and changed to process foods more commonly seen in the human diet (grains, for example).

    Grains provide energy in the form of carbohydrates, not to mention they fulfill important dietary needs such as omegas, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

    Because kibble MUST contain some kind of starch or carbohydrate for binding, grains are a solid and nutritious choice.

    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2021/07/the-role-of-carbohydrate-in-pet-foods/

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    Grains and dog food allergies

    Some people believe that their dog has grain or chicken allergies, however, this is rarely true.

    Most of the time there are other factors at play and veterinary advice is recommend. In reality, true grain allergies in dogs are quite rare. Allergies in dogs are more commonly associated with proteins, such as those found in meat or poultry (though, chicken allergies are also a bit of a wild social media driven myth).

    It’s essential to differentiate between true allergies and food sensitivities, where certain ingredients may cause gastrointestinal discomfort but are not true allergies involving the immune system. If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, it’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian to accurately diagnose the issue. While some grain-free diets may have their place for specific dogs with dietary sensitivities, it’s important to base feeding choices on individual dietary needs rather than assuming that grains are the primary culprit behind canine allergies.

    It’s important to note that only a veterinarian-monitored food elimination diet can definitively diagnose food allergies in dogs. Scientific study shows that blood and saliva allergy tests are wildly inconsistent and inaccurate. Save your money.

    For pets that have been scientifically diagnosed with a legitimate grain allergy, choosing a well-researched food or working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist will be key.

    FACT: Less than 1% of dogs have a true sensitivity to grains, according to scientists.

    a close up shot of a bernese mountain dog
    Photo by David Floyd on Pexels.com

    Is grain an inflammatory ingredient in pet food?

    I did a google search with two different search terms. Each one gave me WILDLY different results.

    The first one was “Is grain-free dog food bad for dogs”. This phrase produced a slew of scientific articles and information from reliable sources, including articles and studies written by highly educated people in veterinary medicine.

    Every single one stated that “grain-free kibbles can be dangerous for dogs to eat” and that dogs can digest grains without any problems at all.

    Read THIS excellent article from TUFTS University

    So, because I like to look at science and evaluate both sides of the coin, I searched again.

    The second term I tried was “Is grain an inflammatory ingredient in dog food”. This produced a bunch of inflammatory (catch my drift here?) and alarmist blog posts written by bloggers with no credentials, including ‘nutritionists’ who obtained their “certification” from online correspondence courses.

    They all said grains are bad, of course. But does their unscientific opinion have merit?

    I think not.

    As above, grain allergies are exceptionally rare. It’s been scientifically proven that dogs are easily able to digest and obtain nutrients from grains.

    The idea that “grains are inflammatory” comes largely from toxic diet culture in humans. Toxic diet culture is elitist, classist, and often racist too! Read here for more history about this problematic trend.

    My Great Dane is not eating, now what?

    shallow focus photography of adult yellow labrador retriever sitting on roadside during day
    Photo by Isaiah Stilwell on Pexels.com

    Is grain-free food carb free?

    This is one that confuses a LOT of dog owners! I’ve even seen self-proclaimed nutrition experts have absolutely no understanding regarding this topic.

    So here it is: just because a food is labeled as ‘grain-free’ does NOT mean that it is low in carbohydrates.

    Grain-free dog foods are, in theory gluten free, but they are not carb free! Gluten contamination is possible unless you choose a veterinary prescription diet.

    Fact: many dog foods manufactured without grains are high in legumes, peas, beans, and potatoes; all of these things are high in carbs!

    Dog food manufacturers want you to believe that grains are bad, because it allows them to produce cheap, pea-filled food and sell it at a premium ‘health food nut’ price.

    If a “nutritionist” or other “expert” is telling you that “dogs don’t need carbs, choose a holistic grain-free dog food”, RUN far away.

    I said what I said.

    How Grain-Free Dog Food is Made

    As you may have noticed above, I mentioned how kibbles must be manufactured with some kind of carbohydrate. This is how the the final kibbles are held together. Without it, the food would just turn to dust.

    Certain diets such as air-dried and ‘fresh’ foods can be made without grain or carbohydrate sources, but these diets aren’t well-researched and may lack the full spectrum of nutrients and amino acids that pets need.

    Ingredients in grain-free dog food

    In grain-free kibble foods, rice, oats, wheat, or corn is replaced by peas, potatoes, garbanzo beans, lentils, and other similar plant-based proteins and carbohydrates.

    Legumes, peas, and potatoes have very different amino acid and digestibility profiles than other more researched carbohydrates such as rice, corn, and oats. It’s not a cup-for-cup replacement.

    Here are some examples of common inclusions in ‘fancy’, ’boutique’, grain-free or grain-inclusive dog foods:

    Deboned meat. This can include things such as ‘fresh deboned chicken’, ‘roasted deboned lamb’, or ‘deboned fish’, which appeal to American dietary tastes. While these ingredients are not harmful and sound healthy, it’s important to keep in mind that dogs need bone, organ and cartilage in their diet.

    Not just muscle meat, which contains only a small percentage of the actual nutrition dogs get from other parts of the animal (the ‘by-products’).

    But wait, there is more!

    Deboned fresh meats are 70% water. By law, companies must list ingredients by weight before extrusion.

    So if you see that “fresh chicken is the first ingredient” on the label, you are likely being fooled. Especially when it comes to grain-free diets that use a lot of starchy carbs!

    After extrusion, how much fresh deboned meat is really there? Around 70% less than you think.

    PRO TIP: You want to see meat meals and meat by-product meals in the first ingredients. This dry, rendered product is heavy before and after extrusion, not to mention chock full of protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

    What about veggies?

    Pumpkin, Squash, Blueberries, etc. Ingredients like this are often considered to be nothing more than ‘fairy dust’ by board-certified veterinary nutritionists.

    Like fresh meat, these ingredients are mostly water. By the time they are extruded there isn’t much left. Plus, they may displace room in the composition of the kibble for vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from better sources.

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    Why grain-free dog foods are not healthy

    Because so many grain-free dog diets have replaced a significant amount of meat with peas, potatoes, lentils, and other pulses, the diet may be lacking in the correct balance of trace nutrients and amino acids.

    These starchy ingredients contain protein and as a result can, in some ways, replace meat. The final kibble will still meet AAFCO nutrient profile minimums on paper.

    Unfortunately, the pet food industry is a sketchy place, and not for the reasons that you think.

    What is ingredient splitting?

    Ingredient splitting is a common practice, for example!

    This is when companies will take an ingredient such as peas and split it up on the ingredients list.

    Peas, pea protein, pea fiber, pea flour, and pea starch are things you may notice. Or green lentils, red lentils, yellow peas, green peas.

    This splitting allows manufacturers to trick you into believing the food has more meat in it than it actually does, and is a COMMON practice of boutique and grain-free dog food brands.

    Read more about ingredient splitting HERE.

    bunch of different breed dogs outdoors
    Photo by Aysun Kahraman Öktem on Pexels.com

    The dirty truth about grain-free dog food

    Some people believe that grain-free dog diets contain more meat than what is seen in grain-inclusive diets.

    They believe this because of marketing, and because of the assumption that the grains taken out of the food are replaced with meat.

    Oops! Grain free diets are actually quite often loaded with pulses and legumes to replace the grains, not meat.

    Dogs need meat, bone, organ, tissue, fat, skin, and cartilage in their diet. Many of these things are considered ‘by-products’. By-products are great in a dog’s diet, but marketing has made them into a dirty word.

    Grain-free dog foods are not, in fact, higher in meat nor are they necessarily healthier for your dog.

    We believe that correctly balanced kibbles will have meat meal and meat by-product meal as a primary protein source, paired with well-researched healthy grains such as rice, corn, and oats for energy and nutrients.

    Here is our list of grain-inclusive foods for large breed dogs:

    Is it good for dogs to have grain-free dog food?

    We believe that many grain-free dry dog foods and marketing-based food brands are harming pets.

    This belief is backed by science coming from board-certified veterinary nutritionists and the top veterinary institutes and organizations in the Country.

    Heart disease is just one proven complication of feeding a poorly formulated diet. You may have heard this from people and veterinarians who tell you to stay away from grain-free foods because of the risk of DCM!

    DCM (or dilated cardiomyopathy DCM in dogs) has a genetic component, but also a nutritional one. The two are unrelated.

    The nutritional relationship to DCM is well documented. Many pet food manufacturers have had to adjust their formulas in the past.

    For example, once veterinary nutritionists learned that cats couldn’t reliably synthesize their own taurine, an essential amino acid, it was added to food and the problem was solved.

    Taurine deficiency causes heart disease in dogs and cats. However, the veterinary community does not currently see taurine deficiency as the primary cause of the current nutrition-DCM speculations.

    Read on!

    close up shot of black and white siberian husky
    Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

    DCM in Dogs Eating Grain Free Dog Food

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle becomes enlarged. DCM is primarily a genetic condition, passed on from parents to puppies.

    Dog breeds genetically prone to canine dilated cardiomyopathy include Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Cocker Spaniels.

    Secondary DCM can be caused by unbalanced nutrition, and as above, it is well documented.

    Several board-certified veterinary cardiologists have reported an alarming increase in dogs with no known genetic predisposition to DCM showing up with the disease.

    Many of these dogs diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy dcm presented with very few symptoms!

    Dilated cardiomyopathy is often a silent killer and will take the lives of dogs who had been playing, eating and enjoying life normally just minutes before.

    Adding grains or taurine does not fix this problem; as they say, you cannot supplement your way out of a bad diet!

    It is believed that the consequences of feeding poorly balanced diets are grossly under-represented, and that many more dogs would have been diagnosed with heart disease had they lived long enough or had a post-mortem autopsy completed.

    90% of the dogs reported with DCM, following scientific observation and diagnosis by a board certified veterinary cardiologist, were eating grain-free dog food, indicating a strong potential dietary link.

    It doesn’t matter what you hear and from whom, there absolutely is a problem here. Heart disease is terrifying, and we believe that dog owners should be cautious and base their opinions here on the most up to date science.

    An FDA investigation was launched, and since then the discussion has become hotbed of misinformation.

    The FDA actually released a statement citing that grain-free diets may not specifically be the issue. People misinterpreted this statement as a resolution of what they believed to have been financially biased, corporate-driven data and ran with it.

    This happened despite the fact that 1000’s of reports submitted by veterinarians and dog owners around the Country indicate that BEG diets (boutique, exotic, grain free) foods are causing health problems and heart failure.

    Naysayers often cite that the “original studies were bonk” and that “grain free and BEG diets are safe and healthy” as a result, furthering the divide with statements that are not backed by facts or science.

    That doesn’t mean there is no problem, however.

    The correlation is now believed to be within dog foods where no on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionists formulate the diet, and/or where a significant nutrient source includes peas, legumes, potatoes, beans, or pulses.

    Both grain-free AND grain-inclusive diets are to blame, in other words!

    Commonly implicated brands include:

    • Fromm
    • Victor
    • Orijen/Acana
    • Diamond (including Costco and Nutra-Nuggets)
    • Earthborn and Unrefined
    • 4 Health
    • Taste of the Wild
    • Solid Gold
    • Rachel Ray
    • Nutrisource
    • Nutro
    • and many others

    FACT: None of those brands have a qualified individual formulating, testing, and researching their diets.

    Fromm, for example, has a chemical engineer creating recipes. Victor uses a guy with an online certification in dairy cattle nutrition. Diamond uses proprietary software to spit out a formula, and has the results checked off by a team of consultants.

    That is where the problem ultimately lies.

    Nutritional DCM is the direct result of ‘health’ food marketing and pet food shaming, which was designed to turn people away from the big-5 science-backed brands and promote the sales of poorly balanced, untested, and grossly under-researched boutique diets.

    Think about this for a moment. We’ve all be scammed by the dog food industry.

    https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy

    woman kissing her dog
    Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

    What food do dog nutritionists recommend?

    Keep in mind that there is a difference between a ‘nutritionist’ and a ‘board certified veterinary nutritionist’.

    The former are generally people who obtained certifications from online nutrition courses and smaller pet food manufacturers.

    The later are veterinarians who obtained several years of additional study and then a board certification in small animal nutrition. Personally, I trust science and people who are highly educated.

    Veterinary nutritionists recommend a grain-inclusive diet from a company that has a full-time veterinary nutritionist on staff to formulate, test, and research the diets, participate in peer-reviewed research, and prove their formulas in feeding trials.

    As of this writing, only five manufacturers meet this standard.

    • Purina
    • Royal Canin
    • Hill’s Science Diet
    • Eukanuba
    • Iam’s

    Here is a great scientific source of information on diets and health issues related to diet, including canine dilated cardiomyopathy.

    https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/253/11/javma.253.11.1390.xml

    woman petting dog
    Photo by Gantas Vaičiulėnas on Pexels.com

    What is the best food to prevent DCM in Dogs?

    We believe that the best food to prevent nutritional DCM based congestive heart failure is a grain-inclusive diet from an established, science-backed company. These foods have been proven to reduce and at times eliminate heart disease in dogs that had been diagnosed with nutritional DCM!

    Here is our list of the best foods for giant breeds, including Great Danes.

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

  • Hypocalcemia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

    Hypocalcemia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

    Hypocalcemia in dogs is a dangerous condition, however, it is treatable. Calcium helps with muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.

    When a dog experiences hypocalcemia, it means that they have low levels of calcium in their blood.

    This can cause a variety of dangerous symptoms, which we will discuss in this blog post. We will also talk about the causes of hypocalcemia in dogs and how it is treated.

    Hypocalcemia in Dogs

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    A dog with hypocalcemia may have low energy levels.

    Symptoms of Hypocalcemia

    Hypocalcemia in dogs is a dangerous condition that may begin with mild symptoms. This can make it difficult to diagnose, as many people associate low energy and stiffness with aging.

    The symptoms of calcium deficiency in dogs include:

    • Weakness
    • Low energy
    • Lethargy
    • Lack of appetite
    • Poor coordination
    • Stiffness
    • Cramping or other pain
    • Muscle tremors and twitches
    • Convulsions
    • Seizures

    In severe cases, calcium deficiency can lead to death. If you notice any of these clinical signs in your dog, it is important to take them to the vet immediately.

    My Great Dane Matilda suffered from life-threatening hypocalcemia caused by unbalanced boutique dog food. I’m sharing her story below!

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    Why do dogs need calcium?

    Calcium is necessary to keep a dog’s bones and teeth healthy.

    It is also essential for blood clotting, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling. In large and giant breed dogs, having the correct calcium and phosphorus levels is necessary for bone development and growth.

    Poor blood coagulation is another symptom of incorrect calcium in the blood and can lead to devastating issues during surgery. A full blood panel should always be done prior to even the most routine surgical intervention (including spaying or neutering).

    Dogs get the majority of their calcium from their diet, and blood calcium levels are then regulated by the parathyroid glands. Sometimes things can go wrong and a dog may not be getting enough calcium, even if the parathyroid hormone levels are at an adequate level.

    This can happen for a variety of reasons, including unbalanced nutrition, poor calcium absorption, or deficiencies following whelping.

    A blood test is necessary to determine if low blood calcium levels are the culprit.

    vet vaccinating adult tan pit bull terrier

    How do I know if my dog has low calcium?

    A dog with low calcium may have low energy levels and may begin to act weak or uncoordinated.

    Worsening symptoms include tremors, convulsions, and seizures that may eventually lead to death.

    Low calcium in dogs is a life-threatening, but treatable condition. Calcium plays an important role in the overall health of your dog.

    How is Hypocalcemia diagnosed?

    Following an examination, your veterinarian will likely perform a blood test. This test will look at total blood calcium levels, and some vets may also look at ionized calcium levels.

    Ionized calcium is the form of calcium that is available to be used by the body and is a more accurate indicator of hypocalcemia.

    Your veterinarian may also recommend additional tests, such as a urine test, to rule out other possible causes of your dog’s symptoms.

    If your dog’s symptoms are caused by a low calcium level, the test results will show that. Normal total calcium levels should be around 8.4-11.8 mg/dl.

    The veterinarian may also order additional blood work to look at Ionized calcium levels, which can further verify the diagnosis.

    a man and woman checking a dog

    What causes Hypocalcemia in Dogs?

    It is important to address the underlying cause of low blood calcium in dogs when treating it. For many dogs, addressing the root issue can resolve the problem.

    Poisoning & Low Calcium in Dogs

    Antifreeze poisoning is one of the most common causes of low calcium in dogs.

    Anti-freeze contains a sweet-tasting chemical called ethylene glycol that can tempt dogs (and even some cats) to drink it.

    Ethylene glycol intoxication can result in weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and fainting.

    Even a small amount of anti-freeze can cause serious health problems, including kidney damage and low calcium.

    If you suspect that your dog has ingested anti-freeze, see the emergency veterinarian immediately.

    Parathyroid Gland Conditions Causing Low Calcium

    The parathyroid glands monitor and adjust calcium levels in the blood. If these parathyroid glands are not functioning properly, it can cause low calcium levels in the blood.

    Thyroid disorders have genetic roots, so it’s important to monitor parathyroid hormone levels in dogs that are prone to hypo or hypothyroidism.

    Acute kidney failure (aka renal failure) and certain medications can also interfere with the parathyroid gland’s ability to regulate calcium levels.

    A dog that has chronic renal failure should be strictly monitored.

    Dog breeding and low calcium levels

    After a bitch gives birth, she may have difficulty producing enough milk for her puppies. This can lead to calcium deficiencies in both the mother and the puppies.

    Many breeders give their dogs oral calcium supplements during pregnancy and after whelping to prevent problems.

    If you have a dog that recently whelped and is nursing, it is important to monitor its condition.

    Consult with your veterinarian about supplementation and choosing a food with the correct dietary calcium levels to support breeding while maintaining appropriate levels of blood calcium.

    How nutrition affects blood calcium in dogs

    Nutrition plays a key role in calcium absorption and utilization in dogs.

    A diet that is deficient in calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D can lead to hypocalcemia and low blood calcium on blood tests.

    Even if the food was ‘formulated to meet AAFCO minimums’ and has an appropriate calcium level on paper, there could be underlying issues related to bioavailability and other micronutrients that can affect free total calcium levels in your dog.

    An imbalance between these nutrients can occur if a dog is eating a commercial or homemade diet that is not properly balanced.

    Incorrect vitamin D or phosphorus levels can cause nutritional deficiencies and dangerously low free calcium levels that greatly affect your dog’s health.

    For this reason, we recommend avoiding boutique dog foods, which may not have adequate levels of balanced nutrients to fully support your dog’s overall health.

    Boutique foods are from companies who:

    • Do not have a full-time board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist formulating and testing the foods
    • Do not participate in or contribute to peer-reviewed research
    • Will often only document their nutrition levels on paper; rarely if ever in ongoing feeding tests and appropriate testing

    Common boutique brands include Fromm, Victor, 4Health, Diamond, Nutro, Nulo, Taste of the Wild, Solid Gold, Instinct, and many, many others who spend more money on marketing than on nutrition science.

    Boutique dog food brands are often heavily marketed as “high quality”, “holistic”, “human grade”, or “super-premium”.

    Veterinarians across the world recommend that dog owners choose only research-backed foods from Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, and Eukanuba. These brands are the highest quality options that you can choose for your pet’s health.

    (See Matilda’s story of hypocalcemia from “high quality” Nutro dog food below!)

    Our Review of Life’s Abundance Dog Food

    Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food: What You Should Know

    Is Bloat in Dogs Preventable?

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    Acute Pancreatitis

    Pancreatitis in dogs is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas.

    The pancreas is an organ that produces enzymes that help the dog digest food. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, these digestive enzymes begin to attack and damage other organs and tissues, including the liver, lungs, and heart.

    Pancreatitis can be caused by a number of things, including:

    • Eating a high-fat diet
    • Excess weight
    • Certain medications
    • Bacterial infections

    Pancreatitis is also associated with inadequate calcium levels. When the pancreas is inflamed, it can’t do its job properly and calcium levels in the blood drop.

    Pancreatitis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, and calcium deficiency is just one of many problems associated with it.

    7 Deadly Health Risks of Obesity in Dogs

    How do Deal with a Dog’s Upset Stomach

    Great Dane Not Eating – What to Do

    woman in white long sleeve shirt sitting beside wooden table using computer

    How is Dog Hypocalcemia Treated?

    When a dog is diagnosed with low total calcium in the blood, the first thing that needs to be done is to find out the cause.

    If the dog has an underlying health condition, like kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or pancreatitis, that needs to be treated.

    If the low calcium level is due to a nutritional deficiency, then the diet needs to be corrected ASAP. Properly formulated diets do not require the use of a calcium supplement, so be sure to take your veterinarian’s advice on the best brands to feed your dog.

    In most cases, oral calcium supplements or calcium-rich fluids are prescribed as well to help raise the calcium level.

    The dog will need to take a calcium supplement for several weeks or months to correct the deficiency.

    However, we do NOT recommend giving a dog any kind of added calcium without veterinary guidance, as too much calcium (hypercalcemia) can also be problematic.

    In severe cases, where the dog is having seizures or other serious symptoms, calcium injections may be necessary to raise the total serum calcium level to within normal range.

    For dogs with dangerously low calcium levels, it’s important to be aware of the fact that hospitalization and IV fluids may be necessary; plan accordingly, especially if you are breeding dogs.

    Calcium supplementation in some form is often necessary to treat this condition. It is important to follow your veterinarian’s advice and not to stop the supplements or change the dosage without their guidance.

    Low blood calcium is, as you’ll read below, a serious issue.

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    Matilda’s Story

    Our Great Dane Matilda is an active, friendly, athletic dog. As she began to age, we noticed her slowing down. She became stiffer, more tired, and didn’t have the same energy as before.

    For months, we chalked this up to her age.

    I became alarmed, however, when she started showing worsening symptoms, including:

    • Screaming in her sleep
    • Not waking up from sleep
    • Poor heat tolerance, panting and pale gums (associated with nutritional DCM)
    • Reflux
    • Bedwetting
    • Extreme weakness
    • Muscle twitching, tremors, and spasms
    • Lethargy

    After completing a thorough physical examination, our veterinarian chalked this up to her being a giant breed dog.

    We assumed that she was just aging and that her joints and muscles hurt.

    Our vet encouraged us to switch her from Nutro Dog Food to a Hill’s Science Diet joint support diet and to seek physical therapy for her muscles. She also ran blood work to look for other underlying diseases and talked to us about the possibility of seeing specialists for her joints, heart, and nutrition depending on the results of her blood work.

    The next day, she called and said that Matilda’s calcium levels were critically low. She told us that she needed better food and nutritional supplements ASAP.

    We were feeding Nutro Ultra and thought we’d been doing the best thing for her by choosing a more “holistic” and “natural” food brand.

    Her thyroid gland was functioning correctly and there were no signs of acute kidney failure or poisoning, so those underlying causes were ruled out.

    Boutique dog food was killing her. Not only did she not have adequate calcium levels, but it was also suspected that her heart was not as healthy as it could have been.

    Nutritional DCM (heart failure) is caused by unbalanced and poorly formulated dog foods.

    If your dog has low energy levels and is eating a boutique food diet, talk to your veterinarian. Do not write it off.

    We put Matilda on Purina Pro Plan Large Breed. Her symptoms quickly improved and within months she had more energy, balance, strength, and joy than she did as a puppy!

    What we thought was aging was actually a dangerous nutritional imbalance, caused by poorly formulated dog food.

    Nutrition plays a KEY role in your dog’s health. Do not fall for boutique food marketing (they spend millions convincing you to buy their product): talk to your veterinarian about what diet they feed THEIR pets, and why.

    Here is our list of recommended foods for large and giant breed dogs:

  • DCM in Great Danes: What you need to know

    DCM in Great Danes: What you need to know

    If you are the owner of a Great Dane, then you need to be aware of DCM in Great Danes. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common and serious heart condition that affects this breed. It often results in sudden death. If your dog has a recent diagnosis of DCM, this post is for you!

    In this blog post, we will discuss what DCM is (including primary and secondary DCM), the symptoms to watch for, and information about how heart problems are treated in dogs. I’m also going to deep dive into OFA heart health testing protocols AND the controversial grain-free foods and nutritional DCM debate.

    We will also provide information on how you can help keep your Great Dane healthy and prevent DCM from developing!

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    What is DCM in Great Danes?

    DCM, aka Dilated Cardiomyopathy, is a heart condition that is characterized by an enlarged heart. This enlargement makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, and as a result, the dog’s body does not get enough oxygen. As you can imagine, this is a dangerous and often devastating condition for any Great Dane.

    Sudden cardiac death is a common and devastating complication of DCM.

    There are two types of DCM in dogs: primary and secondary.

    Primary DCM is thought to be genetic. Only a small handful of breeds are prone to genetic DCM, and Great Danes are one of them.

    Secondary DCM is caused by unbalanced nutrition, or may also be the result of an infection or other underlying health condition.

    We will dig further into both forms of dilated cardiomyopathy DCM in dogs, as well as prevention and treatment protocols below!

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    What are the symptoms of DCM in dogs?

    The unfortunate reality is that many dogs who have DCM, especially secondary DCM (more below) present with little to no symptoms at all until it’s too late.

    Sudden death is a common complication associated with this disease, and will often take the lives of young dogs who appear otherwise healthy. Sudden congestive heart failure is devastating.

    In dogs that do present with symptoms associated with DCM, exercise intolerance is often one of the first signs.

    Many people mistake this lowered energy with aging or laziness.

    Exercise intolerance means that your dog will tire easily during activities that he used to be able to do with ease.

    You may also notice that your dog coughs, has difficulty breathing, or has a lower tolerance for heat.

    Other DCM symptoms include:

    • Loss of appetite, including anorexia
    • Weight Loss
    • Abdominal Swelling
    • Weakness & exhaustion
    • Poor circulation and capillary refill, including pale gums
    • Blue tongue
    • Pulse deficits
    • Lethargy
    • Fainting or collapsing

    These signs can be easy to overlook because they are often gradual and not specific to heart disease.

    However, if you notice any of these changes in your dog it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away.

    A basic ‘vet check’ or wellness check does NOT rule out serious heart conditions; echocardiograms are one of the only ways to verify changes to the cardiac muscle that point to canine cardiomyopathy.

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    How long can a Great Dane live with DCM?

    Because Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy symptoms are often overlooked, many affected dogs may be receiving treatment too late.

    It’s important to remember that there is no cure for primary (genetic) DCM and it is a progressive disease. This means that even with treatment, the condition may continue to worsen over time.

    Dogs with genetic DCM have a guarded prognosis and often do not live more than a year or two after diagnosis, even with treatment.

    Secondary DCM, however, is often treatable and may even be reversible if the underlying cause can be identified and corrected.

    For example, if your dog has secondary DCM caused by an infection, successfully treating the infection and the underlying cause of it will often improve heart function.

    Or if you are feeding a boutique food diet, home cooked diet, or a diet with a lot of pulse ingredients or potatoes, and your dog is diagnosed with secondary nutritional DCM, switching to a different food from a heavily researched brand (such as Purina or Royal Canin) has been shown time and time again to help or even reverse the disease.

    Read HERE for information about how peas, potatoes, lentils, and legumes have been linked yet again to heart disease in dogs.

    It’s important to work closely with your veterinarian and your veterinary cardiologist to create the best treatment plan, based on the underlying reasons for it.

    There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy, and depending on the cause and severity, the course of treatment will often need to be adjusted as the disease progresses.

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    What dogs are prone to DCM?

    Some dogs are more prone to this condition than others, however, all dogs are at risk (especially when it comes to secondary nutritional DCM).

    Dog breeds that are especially prone to canine dilated cardiomyopathy include:

    • Great Danes
    • Boxers
    • Newfoundlands
    • Doberman Pinschers
    • Cocker Spaniels
    • Irish Wolfhounds

    Of these breeds, Great Danes have some of the highest rate of DCM.

    Because Great Danes already have a major genetic component to consider, it’s even more important to be educated about the role that nutrition might play in dramatically increasing our dog’s risk of developing this disease.

    Does Grain-Free Food Cause DCM in Dogs?

    What are the Best Foods to Feed a Great Dane?

    How do I Keep my Great Dane Healthy?

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    Diagnosing Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM

    As before, many affected dogs are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that are easily mistaken for other more mild health issues.

    Exercise intolerance, or an abnormal heart rhythm or breathing pattern will often be among the first (easily missed) clinical signs that a dog is in the early stages of dilated cardiomyopathy.

    Affected individuals may also tire easily during exercise, may have a blue tongue (a possible sign of low oxygen supply resulting from poor heart function), or may cough after physical activity.

    As the heart disease progresses, dogs may experience an increased heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, fluid retention (often manifested as weight gain with no change in diet), weight loss, and fainting episodes.

    In its final stages, DCM can cause congestive heart failure, which leads to sudden death.

    An ultrasound examination of the heart contractions, heart muscle, and blood flowing through the heart can provide a veterinary cardiologist with important clues about the heart disease your dog is facing.

    Should I Feed Puppy or Adult Food?

    The Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart

    Everything You Need to Know about Great Dane Puppies →

    7

    Primary Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Genetic)

    Severe congestive heart failure is an early killer of young dogs who have a genetic predisposition to DCM. Great Danes are PRONE to genetic DCM. This means that they receive their bad hearts from their parents.

    Like bloat, dilated cardiomyopathy heart disease is directly related to the shorter overall life expectancy of Great Danes.

    Every dog that dies suddenly from this devastating disease lowers the average as a whole.

    OFA Cardiac Health Testing

    OFA (the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) cardiac health testing is important for all dogs, but it’s especially important for breeds, such as Danes and Doberman Pinschers that are extremely prone to primary DCM.

    Ethical breeders will have an echocardiogram performed on each parent dog prior to breeding. This necessary health test can rule out changes to the heart muscle that indicate a possible genetic predisposition to the disease.

    They will also do a thorough pedigree analysis to look for genetic factors related to family history.

    If a pedigree analysis suggested that the puppies may be predisposed to inheriting canine idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, ethical breeders will not breed those dogs.

    All of this should be done prior to breeding. Unfortunately, many ‘friendly’ breeders with cute, clean, healthy-looking puppies skip this step. By the time you fall in love with those adorable puppy feet and eyes, it’s too late.

    The genetics have been passed on and your puppy may be one of the not-so-lucky ones.

    It is important that we hold Great Dane breeders to a high standard. Make it socially unacceptable to breed dogs without full health testing. Do not buy dogs from breeders who are not proving their dogs and fully-health testing the parents before breeding.

    Verify that echocardiograms were done by your breeder by searching the OFA database. Your breeder should have the parent listed, as well as the tests that were performed in addition to information about the results.

    www.ofa.org

    If your breeder has skipped this test or not registered it with the OFA, you’ve found a backyard breeder.

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    Responsible Dog Breeding

    Because Great Danes are a breed prone to a number of devastating health issues, including dilated cardiomyopathy, it’s even more important to be sure that you are working with a responsible breeder.

    A responsible breeder will:

    Thoroughly health test all breeding stock: heart, hips, eyes, and thyroid results should be available for you to view at www.ofa.org

    Have detailed knowledge of the Great Dane breed and how their dogs are excellent examples of the Great Dane breed standard.

    Be able to answer any questions you have about Great Danes and Great Dane puppies.

    Be invested in the health and well-being of the puppies, and are willing to support them for life.

    Choosing responsible breeders means that we are choosing to improve the health of the Great Dane breed as a whole.

    When we buy our puppies from breeders who cut corners, we are not only risking the health of our own dogs, but we are also perpetuating the cycle of poor breeding practices that produce sickly dogs and the seemingly endless stream of dogs filling up our rescues.

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    Secondary Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Nutritional)

    Nutritional canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy is also a preventable disease. This one is controversial, however, it’s important to discuss.

    Clinical findings in multiple studies show that improperly formulated foods, especially those that have a lot of peas, legumes, and potatoes are a suspicious culprit when it comes to N-DCM. While studies are ongoing, new evidence is being collected.

    300-400 new boutique dog foods hit the market every year in the U.S. It stands to reason that not all of them are created equal.

    Researchers, including board-certified veterinary cardiologists, are currently investigating a link between diets that have a lot of peas, potato, lentils, and legumes and DCM. They are collecting data and encouraging pet owners and veterinarians to report cases of DCM in dogs that are eating suspect diets.

    The most recent study from December 2022 showed yet another correlation between peas/potato/legumes and changes to the heart muscle.

    Suspect diets include:

    Boutique foods of all kinds (including those with or without grain) that do not have qualified staff formulating the diets they sell

    Foods that contain a lot of pulse ingredients or potatoes, including peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans

    Foods that utilize a lot of ingredient splitting to push lentils, peas, or potatoes further down on the ingredients list (including multiple forms of one ingredient such as: whole lentils, green lentils, red lentils, lentil fiber or whole peas, pea flour, pea fiber, yellow peas for example)

    Most grain-free foods, which often contain a lot of pulse ingredients as above

    Home-cooked or raw diets that are not correctly balanced

    Many young giant breed dogs who appear otherwise healthy, have excellent veterinary wellness checks, and show no outward clinical signs will suddenly pass away while playing or in their sleep.

    Because these instances are sudden and extremely emotional for dog owners, post-mortem testing by a board-certified Veterinary Pathologist is rarely completed.

    It is believed that nutritional DCM is presenting at rates much higher than currently documented. Just look around any DCM topic in the Great Dane community; so many people have experienced this issue with their dog.

    It is important to note that many dogs are symptom free until they die suddenly. Many others however, DO have symptoms. Every case is different.

    DCM UPDATE – December 2022
    Dr. Judy Morgan, DCM, and the FDA Statements (a MUST READ if you want to learn how to spot pseudoscience!)

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    Dog Foods and DCM in Dogs

    Many dog food brands fail to meet certain ethical criteria for the production of dog foods.

    • They rarely if ever employ full-time, on-staff, board-certified Veterinary Nutritionists. This means that the food is often put together by people who have little to no appropriate credentials to do so.
    • Feeding trials and ongoing testing of the formula used are minimal, if used at all. Boutique foods aren’t subjected to the same research and controls; they only meet nutritional minimums on paper.
    • Boutique foods often use 3rd party co-packing facilities. This means that they have less oversight of quality control, consistency, and production.
    • Ingredient splitting is a common practice of boutique food companies. This sneaky trick makes the ingredients list look ‘healthy’ and meat-focused when the bag is full of nothing more than meat-flavored peas. Read more about this HERE.
    • Unregulated, emotional marketing terms and wild claims are used. These terms are used to intentionally mislead pet parents so they will spend more money to feel good about what they feed their pets.

    “Holistic”, “human-grade”, and “super-premium” are just some that you may have heard.

    • They rarely, if ever, participate in legitimate AAFCO feeding trials, nor do they contribute to or benefit from the global veterinary science and research communities. This means that YOUR dog is the guinea pig.

    You can compare over 600 brands head to head based on this value and others at The Giant Dog Food Project.

    https://www.facebook.com/timberlandvet/posts/447032694095912
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    How to choose a dog food that doesn’t cause DCM

    The best way to reduce your dog’s risk of nutritional DCM is to feed a high-quality diet from a heavily researched brand with a qualified nutritionist on staff.

    Not all dogs fed an unbalanced, boutique, or ‘grain-free’ diet will get DCM! It is being theorized that there are specific mechanisms at play for some dogs and not others.

    The problem is, you won’t know if your dog is one of the ‘at risk’ ones until it’s too late.

    A good diet will provide your dog with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Marketing may have taught you that “these “big” brands are full of ‘fillers’ and junk, but that’s simply not true.

    Look for brands that are highly researched and that invest millions of dollars every year into veterinary internal medicine organizations and learning more through science.

    The contributions that the ‘Big 5’ food brands (Purina, Royal Canin, Hill’s, Eukanuba, Iams) have made to veterinary research have helped us learn more about not only heart issues but bloat, cancer, wobblers, lifespan, and more. These brands are literally writing the book on companion animal health. Read PURINA research updates from the Great Dane Club of America HERE.

    Good food brands will do comprehensive feeding trials so that they can continuously improve their products, and they employ entire teams of dedicated professionals with advanced degrees in veterinary science, food science, quality control, and veterinary nutrition.

    16 1

    Ingredients in Pet Food

    The ingredients that food brands use are there for nutritional reasons, including scary-sounding things such as ‘By-Product Meal’ and ‘corn’.

    There is no such thing as ‘fillers’. Even dangerous ingredients such as peas and lentils (used in large amounts) are not ‘fillers’, as they do provide fiber and nutrients.

    A legitimate filler would be something like styrofoam, with no nutritional value, that would also result in nutritional deficiencies. The word “fillers” is a marketing term, meant to scare you, but has no legal definition.

    So let’s talk about scary ingredients in dog food.

    Both by-products and corn are extremely nutrient-dense.

    We cannot say the same about ‘fresh farm-raised deboned chicken’, which is literally 70% water.

    If you’ve ever given a dog a whole dead chicken, know this: they will eat the WHOLE THING. Eyes, bones, feet, beak, stomach, stomach contents (including grains and yes, corn), liver, and more. The most nutritious part for them is not the watery muscle meat. It’s the ‘guts, bones, and junk’.

    By-Products and meat meals are nothing more than the parts of the animal that many humans are often uninterested in eating, that dogs desperately need in their diets!

    By-products are not actually waste. They are a secondary product that results from the production of other products.

    For example, Cream of Tartar is a by-product of wine making. If you have ever eat Snickerdoodles, which get their flavor from cream of tartar, you’re eating a “by-product”.

    Using by-products from the meat industry is better for the environment, too. Why waste food and nutrition if we don’t have to?

    If you give your dog a bully stick to chew on, you are giving your dog a by-product.

    Boutique companies tend to choose ingredients such as “ancient grains” or “fresh deboned turkey” that look and feel pretty to you (so we buy the food), but not necessarily the ingredients that have been scientifically proven to make your dog look and feel its best.

    Don’t believe us? Read our article about ingredient splitting in dog food. This dirty trick is what gives boutique food companies leverage to make you believe their formulas have ‘meat first’.

    When it comes to your dog’s health, don’t be fooled by unregulated marketing terms, pretty packaging, “nice” sounding ingredients, or higher price points.

    Common small food brands include Victor, Fromm, 4Health, Diamond (also Costco), Instinct, Earthborn Holistic, Acana, Orijen, Solid Gold, Farmina, Nulo, Nutro, and Nutrisource.

    None of these brands have a veterinary nutritionist on their side or on their staff.

    • Fromm foods are formulated by a chemical engineer
    • Victor foods are formulated by a guy with an M.S. in science and an online certificate in nutrition – better, but still not great
    • Diamond/Costco/Taste of the Wild/Nutra-Nuggets/Solid Gold are formulated by an unknown person, and checked by an off-site consultant who has an M.S. in Animal Nutrition (underqualified)

    What is Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food?

    How do I choose the Best Food for my Great Dane Puppy?

    What is Hip Dysplasia?

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    Can nutritional DCM be reversed?

    When caught early, nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs can be managed and is often reversed through an immediate diet change and certain cardiac medications if warranted. This has been proven time and time again.

    Many dogs have shown almost complete recoveries from DCM when their owners switched them away from grain-free and boutique dog foods (aka “BEG” diets).

    This means that dogs with heart disease should be choosing a brand that is formulated, tested, and researched by on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionists, and that meets the highest standards for formulation, ethics, and manufacturing practices outlined by the World Small Veterinary Association’s common-sense guidelines for choosing pet foods.

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    Matilda’s Story

    There was a time, long before I wrote this blog post when I was a die-hard boutique dog foods snob.

    Over the course of 5 years, I tried Fromm, Nutrisource, Nutro, Farmina, Earthborn, Nature’s Logic, and Nutro.

    Those brands told me that my dog would be healthier on their diet, and yet, we switched often trying to find the ‘right food’ because they were not actually healthier! I read ingredients lists until I was blue in the face.

    In that time, between my three dogs (two are Danes) I saw:

    • Low energy
    • Dull coat
    • Itching
    • Chronic ear and paw infections
    • A massive lung infection that resulted in a $3500 vet bill
    • Allergies & paw swelling
    • Pink skin
    • Malnutrition and lack of muscle tone
    • Chronic loose stools and ‘sensitivities’
    • Acid reflux
    • Bed wedding
    • Screaming during sleep and becoming unresponsive
    • Low heat tolerance
    • Blue tongue indicating a lack of properly oxygenated blood

    My female Dane Matilda was taking the brunt of the worst of them: reflux, bed wedding, low energy, and strange breathing patterns.

    She began screaming in her sleep and would often be unresponsive to waking when I would jump out of bed to see what was wrong.

    My veterinarian did a blood test, prescribed supplements and medications, talked about referring us to specialists, and also implored me to immediately put her on one of the “evil Big 5 Brands: Purina, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Hill’s, Iam’s”.

    She also told us to follow up and retest once our dog had been put on more appropriate food.

    I had no interest in feeding my dog Hill’s or Purina and was appalled that she would suggest it. My dog was sick, why would I feed her garbage!?

    So, I marched myself into a natural boutique pet food store and asked a sales rep for nutrition advice.

    Think about this for a moment.

    I had a very sick dog and went first to a sales rep on an hourly salary for nutrition advice. Somebody that, for some reason, I trusted more than my veterinarian.

    Marketing taught me to trust the opinion of a sales-driven employee with no legitimate credentials, in a sales-driven store, over the opinion of somebody with 8+ years of high-level education followed by years of practice in actual veterinary medicine.

    This is terrifying and I want people to be aware of the misguided bias and opinions that boutique food companies have used marketing to lead us to!

    I consider myself a well-researched, educated, intelligent dog owner. All of us are susceptible to marketing.

    Low energy is often misdiagnosed as ‘aging’ or ‘laziness’. That’s heartbreaking.

    How is DCM Treated in Dogs?

    The treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy depends on the presentation, symptoms, and severity of the disease.

    In addition to recommendations to choose a diet that was formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and subjected to rigorous research and testing, a cardiologist will often also prescribe medications and supplements that can help with missing nutrients, blood flow, chamber dilation, vascular dilation, and blood pressure.

    Veterinary Cardiology is a specialized field comprised of individuals who first completed their veterinary schooling and went on to specialize and become board-certified.

    Many of them are investing a lot of research, resources, and science into the study of nutritional and primary dilated cardiomyopathy DCM.

    Their contribution to veterinary medicine, and the opinions that they have about the progression of this disease and its causes are valuable and important. You can find information about peer-reviewed research from them below.

    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/

    Share Your Story

    Did you have a dog die suddenly from unknown causes or from a confirmed case of nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy?

    If you have lost a dog suddenly and are struggling to understand why, I am so sorry for your loss. Please share your story below, we want to hear it! Others need to hear it, too. Please use our platform for this.

    If you are worried that your dog may be developing clinical signs of illness that may point to dilated cardiomyopathy DCM, seek veterinary care and a thorough physical examination immediately.

    We also recommend that if you have been feeding a suspect BEG or boutique foods diet (with or without grains and with or without taurine supplementation) that you seek an echocardiogram as a means to catch any changes to the heart muscle at an early stage.

    This is recommended even if you are not seeing any other clinical signs of impending congestive heart failure. Early diagnosis of changes to the heart muscle is key.

    Resources:

    Dilated Cardiomyopathy on Facebook (join this group to see ongoing reports in real-time and read personal stories of veterinary confirmed nutritional DCM cases)

    All Trades DVM DCM Timeline (a common sense look at all of the reports, research, and FDA statements surrounding nutritional DCM)

    How to Choose a Pet Food – Tufts University (information from veterinary nutritionists with no financial motivations, affiliate links, sales, or ads)

    Great Dane Club of America Health Research (Purina Update articles about Great Danes with research on bloat, HOD, wobblers, nutrition, and more)

    Health And Research
    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2021/09/diet-associated-dcm-research-update/
    https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/12/questions-you-should-be-asking-about-your-pets-food/
    https://www.medvetforpets.com/beg-diets-and-dcm-in-dogs-recommendations-regarding-diagnosis-and-management/