Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart disease from taurine deficiency in golden retrievers
By Bélanger, Marie C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2005·Department of Clinical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy in a family of golden retrievers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Five related golden retrievers were diagnosed with a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, which was linked to a lack of taurine, an important nutrient. The dogs showed signs of heart problems, including a heart murmur. After starting taurine supplements, their heart function improved significantly within 3 to 6 months, allowing four of them to stop taking other heart medications. This is a hopeful outcome, as dilated cardiomyopathy is usually a serious and worsening condition in dogs.
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Abstract
A reversible taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy occurred in five related golden retrievers. An apical systolic heart murmur was the most common physical abnormality. According to fractional shortening and end-systolic diameter on echocardiography, significant improvements (P<0.005) were recorded within 3 to 6 months of starting taurine supplementation. The dogs regained substantial systolic function, and four were weaned off all cardiac medications except taurine. This response to therapy was unusual, because canine dilated cardiomyopathy is generally progressive and fatal.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16141179/