Taurine Deficiency

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Saw this in Doodle Family on FB and wanted the experts opinion.

Grain-Free Feeders - PLEASE READ:

We all know how difficult it is to make decisions regarding diet for our pets. I am sharing this information not to add additional worry or concern but to educate. I came across this yesterday when it was shared by a vet dermatologist in another group. I have been trying to get additional information since then and joined the Facebook page linked to the taurine deficiency research being conducted by Dr. Joshua Stern (vet cardiologist) at UC Davis. Here is what I know so far:

* DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) is a serious medical condition that impacts the muscles of the heart and reduces its ability to pump blood.
* Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, weight loss, collapse, coughing, increased respiratory rate, abdominal distention, irregular heart rhythm.
* Some breeds seem to have a genetic predisposition including Cocker Spaniels and large breed dogs particularly Golden Retrievers, Labradors, St. Bernards and Newfoundlands.
* Current research (not yet published) has identified a link between grain-free dogs foods that include peas and legumes and taurine deficiency that can lead to DCM. On the Taurine Deficiency page, the most commonly reported foods from owners of dogs with DCM are: Nutrisource, Acana (particularly pork and butternut squash), 4Health, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, Earthborn Holistic.
* It is believed that the peas/legumes may inhibit some dogs ability to produce or absorb taurine.
* The current recommendation is that if a food heavy in peas and legumes is being fed, consider a whole blood taurine test before any dietary changes are made. If the blood results indicate taurine is low, echocardiography is recommended.

I know that many of us use these foods and some of us have limited options in what to feed our dogs. I just wanted to bring this information forward and encourage you to discuss with your vet/IMS to decide whether this could be a concern for your pup.

https://www.facebook.com/julie.carter.37266/posts/10215672525987711

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If my vet told me this, I would ask how it is that canids in the wild eat no grains and very little plant foods of any kind, and don't develop taurine deficiencies. And how about all the raw feeders out there whose dogs are living on nothing but animal proteins? Are they seeing taurine deficiencies? I haven't heard of any. 

[Stella]

I love and respect my current vet, except for her opinions on dog food!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know I sound like a broken record, but it's been documented that there is no nutrition curriculum in vet school and that any educating vets get about pet foods comes in the form of seminars conducted by Hill's and Purina. Our doctors don't study nutrition either, but our doctors don't sell us food or recommend brands.  There is a conflict of interest when it comes to vets recommending the foods they sell. It's also been documented that the sales of Rx foods account for more revenues than seeing & treating clients in many vet practices. The Rx food manufacturers have tremendous influence over many vets. 

[Jessica & Benny]

So I saw an article in the NY Times (not FB!) about this issue and came here to check out what everyone had to say. My 18 month old Benny eats Earthborn Holistic and seems to be doing well. But so did my previous doodle, who died unexpectedly at age 3, most likely of heart failure. So while I'm awaiting hard statistics, you can understand that having read the article I'm nervous. I plan to have his taurine levels tested, just for peace of mind. I'll report back what I learn.  The link to the Times article is below. I know it's not a scientific study,  but at least it's from a reputable source.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/24/health/grain-free-dog-food-heart...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jessica, we all have to do what makes us comfortable. Which exact Earthborn formula is Benny eating and which one did your last doodle eat? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

BTW, some of the sources quoted in the article are not reputable. Lisa Freeman for one, who works for Big Dog Food. 
But again, you need to do what you feel comfortable with. 

[Jessica & Benny]

He eats High Plains Feast. My last one did also, but sometimes other flavors.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And that happens to be one formula that has taurine added, so it's almost certain that Benny does not have a taurine deficiency, your last dog did not have a taurine deficiency and that food had nothing to do with the heart failure, which was probably also not related to DCM.  

But I do hope that having the test done on Benny will set your mind at ease.

[c zoomer]

I saw this a a story by a Florida tv station, kept searching and saw the NYTimes articles quoting the FDA.  I suppose that’s where the data is found.

years ago a similar scare for cats reported that taurine is found in chicken.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, but taurine deficiency in cats is a whole other ball game. Unlike humans and dogs, cats cannot make taurine and must obtain it from their food. There have always been cases of taurine deficiency caused by diet in cats, and it's been well studied.
Taurine is an amino acid; it is found in all animal proteins, lol. 

The actual data on the situation with DCM in dogs is in this article from the Morris Foundation. This is all there is. All the rest of it, including the FDA stuff, and everything from every news source, is based on this, and most of it is flat out wrong, although some of it is wrong on purpose. 

This is all there is that is known and accurate:
https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/researchers-getting-...

[Marie + Marshall]

Acana Lamb and Apple (grain free) that Marshall eats has taurine listed in its ingredients.  So others must too. And if one feels nervous over the articles, find one that has it added.  We spent a year and a half with loose, runny stools and nothing worked until we went grain free. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is nothing in grains that is going to prevent a taurine deficiency. That's just a fact. And the cases of DCM that even involved a taurine deficiency represent a teeny tiny little percentage of the canine population who are eating grain free foods. People don;t realize how huge an influence politics play on these things. But again, everyone has to do what they feel comfortable with. Those who are worried about these articles will have to do what they feel comfortable with, which I guess is going to be feeding Purina Dog Chow or Hill's Science Diet, which is just what these people want you to do. Just check the labels because i'm pretty sure the junky garbage foods have peas in them, too., along with the corn and the cancer causing artificial preservatives.