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Your dog’s food may be linked to canine heart disease

16 Dog foods have been linked to heart disease. 

New York, June 30, 2019: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning dog owners of a possible link between certain dog food brands and a serious form of canine heart disease.The FDA has investigated more than 500 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain types of food, according to their statement. DCM is a condition that effects a dog’s heart and results in an enlarged muscle. Dogs with DCM tire easily, cough, and have difficulty breathing.

When the FDA first alerted the public in 2018 to cases of DCM, the agency didn’t mention specific brands; only foods labeled as “grain-free” and containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds and/or potatoes as the main ingredients. As part of that investigation, the FDA has now identified 16 brands of dog food which had the most frequent reported cases of DCM.

 
 
As per the data 77 million dogs in the U.S., 0.5% to 1% have DCM, and of those dogs with DCM, fewer than 0.1% are speculated to have DCM related to diet, although that is not scientifically proven. In the recipes Champion makes, we emphasize fresh and raw meat with total animal-derived ingredients ranging from 60 to 85 percent of the finished product. If DCM is caught early, heart function may improve in cases that are not linked to genetics with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification, according to the FDA. If a dog is showing possible signs of DCM or other heart conditions, the FDA encourages you to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. In extreme cases such as sudden weakness or collapse, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care.
 
(Story by CNN)
 
 
 
 

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