Taurine-deficient DCM has been reported in dogs<ref name="Fascetti">Fascetti AJ, et al. Taurine deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy: 12 cases (1997-2001). JAVMA 2003;223:1137-1141.</ref><ref name="Belanger">Belanger MC, et al. Taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy in a family of golden retrievers. JAAHA 2005;41:284-91.</ref><ref name="Kittleson">Kittleson MD, et al. Results of the multicenter spaniel trial (MUST): taurine- and carnitine-responsive dilated cardiomyopathy in American cocker spaniels with decreased plasma taurine concentration. JVIM 1997;11:204-211.</ref><ref name="Backus">Backus RC, et al. Low Plasma Taurine Concentration in Newfoundland Dogs is Associated with Low Plasma Methionine and Cyst(e)ine Concentrations and Low Taurine Synthesis. J Nutr 2006;136:2525-2533.</ref>. This can occur despite being fed commercial diets labelled as complete and balanced when the diet provides inadequate supply of sulphur amino acids without additional taurine supplementation; contains poorly digestibly proteins<ref name="Torres">Torres CL, et al. Taurine status in normal dogs fed a commercial diet associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy. JAPAN(Berl) 2003;87:359-72.</ref>; contains a higher fibre content that promotes a high faecal losses of bile salts<ref>Delaney SJ, et al. Plasma and whole blood taurine in normal dogs of varying size fed commercially prepared food. JAPAN(Berl) 2003 Jun;87(5-6):236-44.</ref>; or is fed to a large breed dog with a low capacity for synthesis of taurine<ref name="Backus"/><ref>Ko KS, et al. Differences in taurine synthesis rate among dogs relate to differences in their maintenance energy requirement J Nutr 2007;137:1171–1175.</ref>. Regardless of cause, taurine supplementation in these dogs appears to reverse some of the changes in cardiac function<ref name="Fascetti"/><ref name="Belanger"/><ref name="Kittleson"/>. Taurine supplementation is recommended for all dogs presenting with DCM until taurine deficiency has been ruled out. | Taurine-deficient DCM has been reported in dogs<ref name="Fascetti">Fascetti AJ, et al. Taurine deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy: 12 cases (1997-2001). JAVMA 2003;223:1137-1141.</ref><ref name="Belanger">Belanger MC, et al. Taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy in a family of golden retrievers. JAAHA 2005;41:284-91.</ref><ref name="Kittleson">Kittleson MD, et al. Results of the multicenter spaniel trial (MUST): taurine- and carnitine-responsive dilated cardiomyopathy in American cocker spaniels with decreased plasma taurine concentration. JVIM 1997;11:204-211.</ref><ref name="Backus">Backus RC, et al. Low Plasma Taurine Concentration in Newfoundland Dogs is Associated with Low Plasma Methionine and Cyst(e)ine Concentrations and Low Taurine Synthesis. J Nutr 2006;136:2525-2533.</ref>. This can occur despite being fed commercial diets labelled as complete and balanced when the diet provides inadequate supply of sulphur amino acids without additional taurine supplementation; contains poorly digestibly proteins<ref name="Torres">Torres CL, et al. Taurine status in normal dogs fed a commercial diet associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy. JAPAN(Berl) 2003;87:359-72.</ref>; contains a higher fibre content that promotes a high faecal losses of bile salts<ref>Delaney SJ, et al. Plasma and whole blood taurine in normal dogs of varying size fed commercially prepared food. JAPAN(Berl) 2003 Jun;87(5-6):236-44.</ref>; or is fed to a large breed dog with a low capacity for synthesis of taurine<ref name="Backus"/><ref>Ko KS, et al. Differences in taurine synthesis rate among dogs relate to differences in their maintenance energy requirement J Nutr 2007;137:1171–1175.</ref>. Regardless of cause, taurine supplementation in these dogs appears to reverse some of the changes in cardiac function<ref name="Fascetti"/><ref name="Belanger"/><ref name="Kittleson"/>. Taurine supplementation is recommended for all dogs presenting with DCM until taurine deficiency has been ruled out. |