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Resources and Citations

Clinical / Research Studies: 

Backus RC, Cohen G, Pion PD, Good KL, Rogers QR, Fascetti AJ. Taurine deficiency in Newfoundlands fed commercially available complete and balanced diets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Oct 15;223(8):1130-6.

Fascetti AJ, Reed JR, Rogers QR, Backus RC. Taurine deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy: 12 cases (1997-2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Oct 15;223(8):1137-41.

Tôrres CL, Backus RC, Fascetti AJ, Rogers QR. Taurine status in normal dogs fed a commercial diet associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2003 Oct;87(9-10):359-72.

Bélanger MC, Ouellet M, Queney G, Moreau M. Taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy in a family of golden retrievers. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2005 Sep-Oct;41(5):284-91.

Freeman LM, Michel KE, Brown DJ, Kaplan PM, Stamoulis ME, Rosenthal SL, Keene BW, Rush JE. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Dalmatians: nine cases (1990-1995). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Nov 1;209(9):1592-

Literature Reviews and Summaries: 

 A Broken Heart: Risk of Heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients. By Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN 


News Media: 

Grain-free Exotic dog foods linked to heart disease. Kay Furby (Washington Post).

Grain Free Foods Might be linked to Heart Disease. Fortune Renea Reintes (Fortune) 

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An Update & Resources

Barley on her third birthday in September 2018 With a heavy heart, I wanted to share that our dear Barley passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of three in December 2018.  She was otherwise a completely healthy dog, except for her enlarged heart , which was likely caused by improper ingredients in her commercially sold dog food.  We hope that everyone shares and listens to Barley's story.   I have stayed active in the community working to spread the word on this potentially preventable condition. After extensive reading and research, I've concluded that there is no evidence to feed your dog boutique, grain free, or small batch dog food at this time unless your dog has a clinical condition that requires an individualized diet.  We all want what is best for our furry family members, and unfortunately the dog food marketing industry has somehow gained persuasion over our trusted veterinarian  community when it comes to nutrition.  In g...
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The doggy genetic test - 100% golden, .06% wolfiness and 0% at risk for heart disease

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What is wrong with grain-free diets?

Barley and Stella sporting their fall bandanas about two weeks after diagnosis The problem isn't necessarily a lack of grains. The problem is that grain-free diets tend to substitute grains with legumes.   Adding grains into your dog's diet won't solve the problem.  However, excluding certain legumes will likely reduce the occurrence of heart disease, or heart disease progression.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. While taurine deficiency may be one of the causes to dilated cardiomyopathy, overall the cause is unknown.  According to the FDA , Early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicate that the dogs consistently ate these foods as their primary source of nutrition for time periods ranging from months to year...
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