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Comparative Study
. 2023 Jan;37(1):37-46.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.16606. Epub 2022 Dec 8.

Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets

Eric J Owens  1 , Nicole L LeBlanc  1 , Lisa M Freeman  2 , Katherine F Scollan  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets

Eric J Owens et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Background: There has been a recent association between nontraditional diets and development of diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.

Hypothesis/objectives: To compare echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers between healthy dogs eating nontraditional vs traditional diets. We hypothesized that dogs eating nontraditional diets would have lower measures of systolic myocardial performance compared to dogs eating traditional diets.

Animals: Forty-six healthy dogs: 23 eating nontraditional diets and 23 eating traditional diets.

Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Dogs were divided into groups based on diet ingredients. Dogs underwent 2-dimensional (2D), 3-dimensional (3D), and Doppler echocardiographic examinations and analysis of plasma N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide, serum cardiac troponin I, and whole blood and plasma taurine concentrations.

Results: Mean 2D ejection fraction (EF) was lower for dogs eating nontraditional diets (48.65 ± 7.42%) vs dogs eating traditional diets (56.65 ± 4.63%; P < .001; mean difference 8.0% [4.0%-12.0%] 95% confidence interval [CI]). Mean 3D EF was lower for dogs eating nontraditional diets (45.38 ± 7.35%) vs dogs eating traditional diets (57.58 ± 4.84%; P < .001; 12.0% [8.0%-16.0%] 95% CI). Mean 2D left ventricular end-systolic volumes, indexed to body weight, were significantly higher in dogs eating nontraditional diets (1.46 ± 0.08 mL/kg) vs dogs eating traditional diets (1.06 ± 0.08 mL/kg; P = .002; 0.4 mL/kg [0.18-0.62 mL/kg] 95% CI).

Conclusions and clinical importance: Healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets had lower indices of systolic function and larger left ventricular volumes compared to dogs eating traditional diets. Screening of apparently healthy dogs eating nontraditional diets might allow for early detection of diet-associated DCM.

Keywords: canine; cardiology; diet; dilated cardiomyopathy; systolic function.

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Conflict of interest statement

In the last 3 years, Dr. Freeman has received research funding from, given sponsored lectures for, or provided professional services to Aratana Therapeutics, Elanco, Guiding Stars LLC, Nestlé Purina PetCare, P&G Pet Care (now Mars), and Royal Canin. Dr. LeBlanc has given a sponsored lecture for Hill's Pet Nutrition. Authors declare no conflict of interest. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Comparison of two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiographic variables between dogs eating nontraditional diets and dogs eating traditional diets. (A) 2D left ventricle end‐diastolic volume indexed to body weight (2D LV EDVi). Dashed line at 2.99 mL/kg indicates upper limit of reference interval for 2D end‐diastolic ventricular volume. (B) 2D left ventricle end‐systolic volume indexed to body weight (2D LV ESVi). Dashed line at 1.35 mL/kg indicates upper limit of reference interval for 2D end‐systolic ventricular volume. (C) 2D ejection fraction (2D EF). Dashed line at 40% indicates threshold for low EF. (D) 2D sphericity index (2D SI). Dashed line at 1.65 indicates threshold for increased sphericity. (E) 2D right ventricular fractional area change (RV FAC). Dashed line at 33% indicates threshold for reduced right ventricular fractional area change.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Comparison of 3‐dimensional (3D) echocardiographic variables between dogs eating nontraditional diets and dogs eating traditional diets. (A) 3D left ventricle end‐diastolic volume indexed to body weight (3D LV EDVi). Dashed line at 2.99 mL/kg indicates upper limit of reference interval for 2D end‐diastolic ventricular volume (in healthy dogs). (B) 3D left ventricle end‐systolic volume indexed to body weight (3D LV ESVi). Dashed line at 1.35 mL/kg indicates upper limit of reference interval for 2D end‐systolic ventricular volume (in healthy dogs). (C) 3D ejection fraction (3D EF). Dashed line at 40% indicates threshold for low EF. (D) 3D global longitudinal strain (3D GLS).
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