Cardiomyopathy

BULLETIN
From: Study Group on Urinary Stones
Research Committee of the Dalmatian Club of America, Inc.

CAUTION SUGGESTED FOR STONE-FORMING DALMATIANS ON LONG-TERM, VERY LOW-PROTEIN DIETS

Extremely isolated reports of a certain type of heart problem in a few Dalmatians are being reported nationally. The condition is called "cardiomyopathy" or "cardiac myopathy." It is being seen in Dalmatians who have been fed very low-protein diets for long periods of time because they were urinary stone-formers. [Addendum: this now has been published. Urge your vets to read: "Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dalmatians: Nine Cases (1990-1995)" by Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, and co-authors in Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, volume 209, pp. 1592-1596 (Nov. 1) 1996.]

Immediate research to explore the relationship of diet to the heart problem was started by veterinary academic centers including those which specialize in canine stone-forming. Preliminary findings suggest that a dietary deficiency of one or both of two amino acids may perhaps be factors in the strange onset of the heart symptoms. They are "taurine"
and "carnitine." Taurine deficiency has been known by veterinarians to be associated with cardiomyopathy in cats but rarely if ever in dogs.  Because of the small number of reports, it cannot be positively or even probably concluded at this time that diet, alone, is responsible. Other coincidental factors have yet to be finally evaluated such as for
example, heart problems in the breedline.

Stone-forming Dalmatians being successfully maintained symptom-free on home-cooked low-protein diets or on prescription anti-urate food formulations should not be shifted from their food regimens. (As of April 1995, Hills Prescription Foods added taurine to both dry and canned versions of their u/d® formulation.) For stone-formers on any
anti-urate, low-protein food formulation including home-cooked ones, daily supplementation with a high-protein but low purine-yielding food such as hard boiled eggs may be considered unless the dog is allergic to them.

PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN IF YOUR STONE-FORMING DALMATIAN STARTS TO COUGH UNCHARACTERISTICALLY OR TO SHOW OTHER SUSPICIOUS SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE HEART PROBLEMS.

The owner of one of the first Dalmatians reported with cardiac myopathy has graciously given her permission to be contacted by anyone wishing to learn of the successful treatment of her afflicted male, Levi, who is being maintained as a frisky "normal" Dalmatian: Mrs. Victoria (Vicki) Emmel, Delta PA, tel. (717) 456-7358.

(End, August 1996 Bulletin)

For more information, contact:

Carroll H. Weiss, Director
Study Group on Urinary Stones
Health & Research Committee
Dalmatian Club of America
carroll@suntech.net

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