Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nutritional and herbal therapies in the treatment of heart disease in cats and dogs.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2005
- Authors:
- Gompf, Rebecca E
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
This research looks at how nutritional supplements like L-carnitine and taurine might help dogs and cats with heart disease. While some pets do benefit from these supplements, not every animal with heart issues shows improvement, indicating that more research is needed to understand the causes of heart disease better. The study also discusses herbal treatments that have been used in pets, drawing from their effects in humans. Overall, the findings suggest that while there may be potential benefits from these therapies, pet owners should consult their veterinarians to determine the best approach for their pets.
Abstract
Nutritional supplements such as L-carnitine and taurine have been found to be beneficial in dogs and cats with certain cardiac diseases. However, not all animals with cardiac disease respond to nutritional supplementation, which means that further work must be done to identify causes of cardiac disease. Herbal therapies have been used in dogs and cats based on information available from their use in humans. This paper reviews the possible benefits and side effects of L-carnitine, taurine, and herbal supplements.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16267059/