Clinical and Echocardiographic Findings for Dilated Cardiomyopathy Induced by Taurine Deficiency in a Cat

Abstract

A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was referred to Gyeongsang National University Animal Medical Center for labored breathing. According to the patient’s history, the client had fed him commercial dog foods. The patient’s hematological, radiographic, and echocardiographic examinations were evaluated for diagnosis. Echocardiography results showed marked dilations of ventricles and atriums and mitral regurgitation. A systolic dysfunction was detected. Plasma taurine concentration was lower than the reference range. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with feline dilated cardiomyopathy associated with taurine deficiency. Treatment included feline commercial foods, taurine, digoxin, furosemide, and clopidogrel. Digoxin was changed to pimobendan when normal blood pressure was achieved. Clinical signs improved gradually and no abnormalities were detected on echocardiograms at 10 weeks following onset of treatment.