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

In July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.) as main ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals). Many of these case reports included breeds of dogs not previously known to have a genetic predisposition to the disease. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a collaboration of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, continue to investigate this potential association. Based on the data collected and analyzed thus far, the agency believes that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors.

We understand the concern that pet owners have about these reports: the illnesses can be severe, even fatal, and many cases report eating “grain-free” labeled pet food. The FDA is using multiple science-based investigative tools as it strives to learn more about the evolution of this outbreak of DCM and its potential link to certain diets or ingredients.

This update does not include reports received in December and January due to the lapse in appropriations from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Because the Anti-Deficiency Act does not except activities that are solely related to protecting “animal health,” FDA was not able to continue its investigation during that time.

To Continue reading this go to:  https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/ucm630993.htm?fbclid=IwAR3IJg_u1SHuzDwsPzS1N7THk3qgnKUN4se3Ble_3A2L2TTPsZ8FIeGxk_I 

A comparative illustration of a normal heart and a heart affected by dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common type of cardiomyopathy often caused by coronary heart disease, diabetes, alcohol abuse, viral infections, thyroid disease, or genetics. The walls of the ventricles stretch and thin (dilate), creating an enlarged heart. This inhibits the heart’s ability to pump enough blood throughout the body and may also result in abnormal heart beats (arrhythmia).