Changes

#'''Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD)''':  Taurine deficient cats develop hyper-reflective lesions in the area centralis of the [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology#The Wall (retina, uvea and sclera)|retina]], which progresses to complete photoreceptor degeneration and ultimately blindness<ref>Anderson PA, et al. Biochemical lesions associated with taurine deficiency in the cat.  J Anim Sci 1979;49:1227-1234.</ref>. This condition is not reversible, but is very rare in cats fed diets with adequate taurine content.

#'''Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD)''':  Taurine deficient cats develop hyper-reflective lesions in the area centralis of the [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology#The Wall (retina, uvea and sclera)|retina]], which progresses to complete photoreceptor degeneration and ultimately blindness<ref>Anderson PA, et al. Biochemical lesions associated with taurine deficiency in the cat.  J Anim Sci 1979;49:1227-1234.</ref>. This condition is not reversible, but is very rare in cats fed diets with adequate taurine content.

#'''[[Dilated Cardiomyopathy - Feline Cardiomyopathies|Dilated Cardiomyopathy]]''': Taurine deficiency in now an uncommon cause of DCM in cats as commercial diets are supplements with adequate taurine levels. Cats with taurine-deficient DCM may present with subclinical disease or in overt heart failure. Echocardiography usually demonstrates left atrium enlargement, dilation of both ventricles (see image), and decreased left ventricular contractility<ref>Pion PD, et al. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science 1987;237:764-768.</ref>. Supplementation with oral taurine (250 - 500 mg orally twice a day) may improve clinical signs in 1-3 weeks.  

#'''[[Dilated Cardiomyopathy - Feline Cardiomyopathies|Dilated Cardiomyopathy]]''': Taurine deficiency in now an uncommon cause of DCM in cats as commercial diets are supplements with adequate taurine levels. Cats with taurine-deficient DCM may present with subclinical disease or in overt heart failure. Echocardiography usually demonstrates left atrium enlargement, dilation of both ventricles (see image), and decreased left ventricular contractility<ref>Pion PD, et al. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science 1987;237:764-768.</ref>. Supplementation with oral taurine (250 - 500 mg orally twice a day) may improve clinical signs in 1-3 weeks.  

#'''Decreased Immune Response''': Prolonged taurine deficiency in cats can result in a range of abnormalities in the immune system, including leukopenia, neutrophil dyfunction depletion of cells from B-cell areas of lymph nodes and spleen<ref>Schuller-Levis G, et al. Immunologic consequences of taurine deficiency in cats. J Leukoc Biol 1990;47:321-331.</ref>. The clinical significance of immune dysfunction related to taurine deficiency is not well described.  

#'''Decreased Immune Response''': Prolonged taurine deficiency in cats can result in a range of abnormalities in the [[:Category:Immunology|immune system]], including leukopenia, neutrophil dyfunction depletion of cells from B-cell areas of [[ Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] and [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology|spleen]]<ref>Schuller-Levis G, et al. Immunologic consequences of taurine deficiency in cats. J Leukoc Biol 1990;47:321-331.</ref>. The clinical significance of immune dysfunction related to taurine deficiency is not well described.  

#'''Poor Reproductive Performance''': Although taurine-deficient cats come into [[Oestrous Cycle - Cat|oestrus]] normally dietary taurine deprivation adversely affects feline pregnancy<ref name="Sturman">Sturman JA. Dietary taurine and feline reproduction and development. J Nutr 1991;121:S166-S170.</ref> it is associated with:

#'''Poor Reproductive Performance''': Although taurine-deficient cats come into [[Oestrous Cycle - Cat|oestrus]] normally dietary taurine deprivation adversely affects feline pregnancy<ref name="Sturman">Sturman JA. Dietary taurine and feline reproduction and development. J Nutr 1991;121:S166-S170.</ref> it is associated with:

:*abortion,  

:*abortion,  

:*poor kitten survival.  

:*poor kitten survival.  

::Taurine deficiency in queens has also been associated with congenital defects in kittens such as [[hydrocephalus]] and anencephaly, cerebellar dysgenesis, abnormal hind-limb development and thoracic kyphosis<ref>Sturman JA, et al. Feline maternal taurine deficiency: Effect on mother and offspring. J Nutr 1986;116:655-667.</ref><ref>Sturman JA and Lu P. Role of feline maternal taurine nutrition in fetal cerebellar development: and immunohistochemical study. Amino Acids 1997;13:369-377.</ref>. Taurine-deprived, live-born kittens have a poor postnatal survival rate, maturational delay, and reduced growth rates<ref name="Sturman"/>. Surviving kittens are often small and weak and are prone to various complications.   

::Taurine deficiency in queens has also been associated with congenital defects in kittens such as [[hydrocephalus]] and anencephaly, cerebellar dysgenesis, abnormal hind-limb development and thoracic kyphosis<ref>Sturman JA, et al. Feline maternal taurine deficiency: Effect on mother and offspring. J Nutr 1986;116:655-667.</ref><ref>Sturman JA and Lu P. Role of feline maternal taurine nutrition in fetal cerebellar development: and immunohistochemical study. Amino Acids 1997;13:369-377.</ref>. Taurine-deprived, live-born kittens have a poor postnatal survival rate, maturational delay, and reduced growth rates<ref name="Sturman"/>. Surviving kittens are often small and weak and are prone to various complications.   

:5.  '''[[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology#Deafness|Deafness]]''': Taurine deficiency has been associated with delayed auditory brainstem- evoked response maturation in cats resulting in hearing loss<ref>Vallecalle-Sandoval MH, et al. Comparison of the developmental changes of the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) in taurine-supplemented and taurine-deficient kittens. Int J Dev Neurosci 1991;9(6):571-9.</ref>.

:5.  '''[[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology#Deafness|Deafness]]''': Taurine deficiency has been associated with delayed auditory brainstem-evoked response maturation in cats resulting in hearing loss<ref>Vallecalle-Sandoval MH, et al. Comparison of the developmental changes of the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) in taurine-supplemented and taurine-deficient kittens. Int J Dev Neurosci 1991;9(6):571-9.</ref>.

==Toxicity==

==Toxicity==