Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Taurine and carnitine supplements for dogs with heart disease
By Sanderson, Sherry Lynn·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2006·Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Taurine and carnitine in canine cardiomyopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition, may benefit from supplements like taurine and carnitine. While not all dogs with DCM have a deficiency in these nutrients, some have shown significant improvement in heart function after being given these supplements. The good news is that both taurine and carnitine are safe for dogs to take. However, some pet owners find the cost of carnitine to be a concern. If your dog has been diagnosed with DCM, discussing these supplements with your veterinarian could be worthwhile.
People also search for: dog heart problems treatment · taurine for dogs with DCM · carnitine for dog heart health
Abstract
Some newer more promising therapies for dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are taurine and carnitine. Deficiencies of these nutrients have been shown to cause DCM in dogs, and some breeds of dogs have shown dramatic improvement in myocardial function after supplementation with one or both nutrients. Although most dogs diagnosed with DCM do not have a documented taurine or carnitine deficiency, they may still be benefit from supplementation. These nutrients are safe to administer to dogs. For some owners, the high cost of carnitine is the only deterrent to giving their dogs supplements of both nutrients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17085238/