Scientific Title: Plasma Metabolomic Profiles and Owner Feeding Practices in Dogs with Systolic Dysfunction or Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Study Investigator: Dr. Shari Raheb
Graduate Student: Sydney Banton (PhD)
Purpose of the Clinical Study
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common heart disease in dogs, often caused by genetics. Recently, there has been concern about grain-free dog diets possibly contributing to DCM, but the majority of dogs eating these diets are still healthy. It is important to understand why some dogs may develop heart problems while eating grain-free diets and other dogs do not.
Is Your Pet Eligible?
Two groups of dogs will be included in this study:
- Healthy dogs >1 year of age that have been eating the same grain-free kibble diet for ≥ 6 months
- Dogs with suspected cardiac dysfunction (and no additional comorbidities) that have been eating the same grain-free kibble diet ≥ 6 months
Dogs will be ineligible if they are receiving cardiac medication or their diet has been recently changed. In addition, breeds including Doberman, Boxer, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Cocker Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog or mixes of these breeds will be ineligible to participate.
Visits / Samples Required
During a single, 1-2 hour visit, study procedures (echocardiogram and bloodwork) will be completed.
Financial Incentives
Partial costs associated with the echocardiogram and bloodwork are covered by the study.
