The Cardiology service at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) strives to provide comprehensive and innovative research through clinical trials. Primary Care Veterinarians may refer companion animals for cardiology clinical trials due to symptoms of heart disease or detection of potential heart abnormalities. Aside from clinical trials, the Cardiology service provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular diagnostic services and therapies, including medical therapy and minimally invasive interventional therapies. To learn more about the Cardiology service at the OVC, please click here.
NEW STUDY – The Effects of Diet on Cardiac Function in Dogs
Complete Title: Plasma Metabolomic Profiles and Owner Feeding Practices in Dogs with Systolic Dysfunction or Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common heart diseases in dogs. Although genetics are the primary cause of DCM, nutritionally-mediated DCM, particularly with regard to grain-free dog diets has been a recent focus in veterinary medicine. However, the vast majority of dogs consuming grain-free diets are healthy. It is important to understand why some dogs may develop a cardiac dysfunction while the majority of dogs remain healthy.
Inclusion criteria:
- 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 receiving cardiac medication and/or breeds including Doberman, Boxer, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Cocker Spaniel and Portuguese Water Dog