Konnie Hein

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAH/U...2_Taurine.html

Here's an interesting article on Dietary Taurine Deficiency and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs. This article references cases and findings in several pilot studies which suggest that diet does affect taurine metabolism in dogs and may play a role in the development of DCM.

Apparently some breeds of dogs - notably the Newfoundland and the Doberman - have trouble making their own Taurine. Another website I found lists the following breeds as being susceptible to Dilated Cardiomyopathy: "Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs. More than 90% of cases of canine DCM are confined to these eight breeds. The disease is likely genetic in origin, although this has not yet been proved and the mode of inheritance has yet to be documented. Middle-aged dogs are most often affected. "

Studies have indicated that supplementation with taurine may be beneficial in American Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers with dilated cardiomyopathy.

(from http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/health-heartcondition.html)

Something to think about, whether you feed raw or kibble, but esp. if you feed kibble. Meat (esp. the heart muscle), poultry, eggs, dairy products, and fish are good sources of taurine. It is destroyed by heat, so it must be added to cooked kibble in order to be usable by the dog.

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