![]() ![]() Whole blood and plasma taurine concentrations were also determined in 24 related dogs. Baseline FS and ESD ranged from 9% to 20% and 30.0 mm to 66.7 mm, respectively.īaseline plasma taurine concentrations in the five affected dogs ranged from 2 to 20 nmol/mL. Radiographic abnormalities included pulmonary edema (n=2), generalized cardiac enlargement (n=5), left atrial enlargement (n=5), and pleural effusion (n=1). The most common physical abnormality was an apical systolic heart murmur (n=5).Ĭardiac arrhythmias occurred in two dogs and included atrial premature beats (n=1) and rare ventricular premature contractions (n=1). Reasons for presentation included anorexia (n=2), lethargy (n=3), coughing (n=3), exercise intolerance (n=3), dyspnea (n=2), ascites (n=1), asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmia (n=1), or asymptomatic heart murmur heard incidentally by the referring veterinarian (n=2). Both females were presented with heart failure. Gender included two sexually intact males, one castrated male, and two spayed females. Age at the time of diagnosis ranged from 6 to 9 years. Seven golden retrievers were found to have taurine-deficient DCM during the review period, but two were excluded from the study because of incomplete records and follow-up information. 25 The purposes of this study are to describe the clinical features and outcome of a taurine-deficient DCM observed in a family of golden retrievers, and to determine the mode of inheritance of the disease. 24Ī taurine-deficient DCM has also been identified in the golden retriever, but little information on the clinical features of this disease has been published. 19, 23 In humans, between 20% and 25% of idiopathic DCM cases are familial. ![]() 16, 19 – 22 An autosomal recessive transmission has been documented in a family of Portuguese water dogs with juvenile taurine-deficient DCM. Dilated cardiomyopathy associated with a low taurine concentration has been reported in the American cocker spaniel, Dalmatian, boxer, Newfoundland, Portuguese water dog, English setter, Alaskan malamute, and Scottish terrier. 18 It is characterized by left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction. 17 This latter study raised the possibility of a significant association between low taurine concentrations and DCM in canine species.ĭilated cardiomyopathy is the most common acquired cardiac disease of large-breed dogs. 14 – 16 A similar DCM in a population of foxes was documented by Moise et al. reported a reversible taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in cats. in cats with retinal degeneration that were fed a taurine-deficient diet. Low plasma taurine concentration was first recognized by Hayes et al. 1, 5 – 8 Taurine is also a natural antagonist of angiotensin II. 4 The mechanisms by which taurine increases cardiac inotropy are unclear, but available evidence suggests that taurine potentiates calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, increases the sensitivity of the myofilaments to calcium, and affects the long-lasting (L-type), voltage-dependent calcium channels. ![]() ![]() 2, 3 When the intracellular content of taurine is dramatically reduced, the heart develops contractile defects. 1 Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the mammalian heart, and it plays important roles in cardiac contractility and osmoregulation. It is found in the highest concentrations in the heart, muscles, central nervous system, and platelets. Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is not incorporated into proteins but remains free in plasma and tissues. ![]()
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