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Some FDA Answers Regarding Investigation into a Possible Connection Between Diet and Canine Heart Disease
FDA Alert – Grain-Free Dog Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a possible link between incidents of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and extended consumption of “grain-free” dog food, after several reports from veterinarians.
Earlier this month the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to dog owners about a potential connection between diet (specifically a certain kind of dog food) and a disease called dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM.
The condition is one of the most common causes of heart failure in certain large dog breeds, such as Dobermans, Great Danes and Boxers, but reports received by the FDA show DCM occurring in breeds not usually prone to the disease, such as Retrievers, Whippets, even some mixed breeds.
The one common factor in the reported cases seems to be a diet high in things like potatoes, peas, lentils, legume seeds, which are often the main ingredients in dog foods labeled as “grain-free”. In the cases reported to the FDA, veterinarians indicated the dogs had been eating such foods consistently for months or years.
Several of the animals had low blood levels of the amino acid taurine. It has been shown that taurine deficiency can lead to DCM, and the FDA suspects that grain-free foods containing potatoes, peas and legumes might be causing the reduction of taurine levels in dogs.
No specific brands of dog food were listed in the FDA warning, but owners can check to see if potatoes, peas, lentils or legumes are listed as main ingredients in their pet’s food. Even better check with your veterinarian for recommendations about the best diet for your own furry friend.
So, how would you know if your dog might be suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy? Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, reduced energy – if your buddy can’t play like it used to, or chase the ball, or gets winded easily, it’s time for a visit to the doctor. If your veterinarian suspects your pet may have DCM linked to its diet, report it to the FDA.
You can read the FDA warning about the potential connection between diet and canine heart problems by visiting the agency’s website at FDA.gov.
We all want to do what’s best for our four-footed friends, including feeding them a healthy diet. But for dogs, “grain-free” may not be the best choice, especially when we’re speaking of pets.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to
Ohio Greyhound Gathering & Adoption
whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
It’s easy to register:
Go to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com),
select Ohio Greyhound Gathering & Adoption
as your charity to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping.
Remember, if you want Amazon to donate to Ohio Greyhound Gathering & Adoption, you need to start each shopping session at the URL http://smile.amazon.com, and they will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases.
Click Here for more information on how AmazonSmile works.
It’s time to begin saving those Acme receipts for OGGA.
OGGA will earn 5% from receipts dated August 10th to December 31st from your purchases of acme store brands.
These funds will help us continue our mission of placing retired racing greyhounds in loving, responsible, forever homes.
Drop off receipts at any of our events
or
Mail Acme receipts to:
OGGA
3116 Pinevale
Louisville, OH 44641-9111
Nicky Middleton did his duty for hurricane pets by delivering dog food, paper towels, toilet paper, dog biscuits & shampoo to the Trailstar trailer today.
To help fill the trailer for the victims of Hurricane Irma, take donations to Trailstar, 20700 Harrisburg-Westville Road (U.S. Route 62) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday (9/10) through Friday (9/15). special arrangements can be made for drop-offs by calling 330-821-9900.
Items needed include baby formula, baby and adult diapers, wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, soap, shampoo, pet food, non-perishable foods, children’s snack foods, gallon size or cases of bottled water. Chocolate candy, shoes and clothing will not be accepted.
The Petit family will be hosting a fundraiser May 7th to benefit those that helped get Ginny back home.
Ramona Hartleben of JJ’s Ruff Roads was a major contributor in organizing the search. Ramona who lives in Louisville, helped Ohio Greyhound Gathering this past summer find and return a foster greyhound after days on the run. She is blessing to all of us that lose our animals as she has made finding them and returning them to their families her life’s work.
Below is from John and Jamey Petit:
Ginny the Greyhound ran away February 15th and was not captured until Feburary 19th. When a Greyhound gets loose, we must rely on the community for help with sightings. The response was overwhelming, and with the support of our community neighborhoods, The Greyhound Adoption of Ohio, and Ramona Hartleben’s JJ’s Ruff Roads Animal Rescue, we were able to capture Ginny before something bad happened. Of course we were relieved and elated to get Ginny back,but the support from the community of Canton, Ohio and surrounding areas has really touched us and made an imprint on us forever.
John and I would like to give back to the community by creating a day of celebration and fundraising. The details are still in the works and different sponsers are being procured. We have confirmed that Nathan’s Patio Bar and Grill will host a Spaghetti Dinner for us. We will do a Reverse Raffle during dinner. We will also have a silent action that afternoon!
There will be vendors present and that list will come out as we confirm!
Klingstedt Brothers and Nance have created the coolest T-shirt; all the profit will go to the cause! We will take pre-orders and sell.
All proceeds made from this event will be split between JJ’s Ruff Roads and Greyhound Adoption of Ohio! Our goal is $10,000 so that each of them will get $5,000.
We are starting this now so that if anyone is interested in donating, there is a means to do that. We also have to raise money for application fees for the city and some event costs.
We love you Canton (and Surrounding Areas), Ramona, GAO, and all puppies!
For More Information, click here.
Date and Time
Sun, May 7, 2017
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT