Dilated Cardiomyopathy In Dogs Research Articles

A digital resource based on plastinated specimens for learning dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

In this study, plastinated specimens were used for creating a learning model to assist students’ understanding of a common cardiac pathology of dogs. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a myocardial disease, causing a progressive dilatation of all four cardiac chambers, with concomitant changes in systolic function. Two plastinated sections of canine hearts were used, one from a healthy dog, and the other belonging to a dog affected by dilated cardiomyopathy. Plastinated sections were photographed and digitized, and then a static image animation program was used to simulate the heartbeat, in a reliable manner. The digital materials were used to create a video tutorial, in which the structures of the heart were simultaneously highlighted in both anatomical and ultrasound images. The video tutorial was accessed via QR code, which was given to a set of students of the Veterinary Degree Program with previous basic training in ultrasound diagnosis. A satisfaction survey was used to monitor each student's perception of the importance of clinical anatomy and the usage and learning experience with the video tutorial. The results reported that most students considered anatomy as a fundamental subject for their professional career, although their knowledge about it at the end of the degree was not too extensive. The overall score of the video tutorial was very high, as it apparently facilitated the understanding of ultrasound imaging related to dilated cardiomyopathy. It is concluded that the combined use of plastinated material with e-learning improved the subjective perception of learning and understanding of the dilated cardiomyopathy by the students.

Prospective evaluation of echocardiographic parameters and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating four custom-formulated diets

IntroductionDiet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been suspected in breeds that have not been previously noted to have a predisposition to the DCM phenotype. This study hypothesized that over 210 days, dogs fed diets with varying amounts of animal-sourced protein and carbohydrate sources would not be negatively impacted in terms of their cardiac parameters and function.MethodsThirty-two purebred beagles and 33 mixed-breed hounds were randomized into four diet groups and studied for 210 days. The diet groups were as follows: the high-animal-protein grain-free (HAGF) group, the low-animal-protein grain-free (LAGF) group, the high-animal-protein grain-inclusive (HAGI), and the low-animal-protein grain-inclusive (LAGI) group. Cardiac-specific biomarkers, endomyocardial biopsies, and linear and volumetric echocardiographic parameters were evaluated.ResultsThere was a treatment-by-day-by-breed effect observed for the normalized left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole (p = 0.0387) and for the normalized left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole (p = 0.0178). On day 210, mixed-breed hounds fed the LAGI diet had a smaller normalized left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole than on day 90. On day 210, beagles fed the LAGF diet had a larger normalized left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole than those fed the LAGI diet. Fractional shortening for beagles in the LAGF group was significantly lower (p = 0.007) than for those in the HAGI and LAGI groups. Cardiac-specific biomarkers and endomyocardial biopsies were not significantly different between breeds, diets, and various time points.DiscussionThis study did not detect the development of cardiac dysfunction throughout the study period through the echocardiographic parameters measured, select cardiac biomarkers, or endomyocardial biopsies. There were noted interactions of treatment, breed, and time; therefore, isolating a diet association was not possible. Future research should further investigate the other factors that may help to identify the variable(s) and possible mechanisms underlying suspected diet-associated DCM in dogs.

The Pulse of It: Dietary Inclusion of Up to 45% Whole Pulse Ingredients with Chicken Meal and Pea Starch in a Complete and Balanced Diet Does Not Affect Cardiac Function, Fasted Sulfur Amino Acid Status, or Other Gross Measures of Health in Adult Dogs

BackgroundPulses are an attractive alternative protein source for all mammals; however, recent reports suggest that these ingredients may be related to developing dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to quantify the effects of dietary pulse intake by adult dogs on cardiac function using echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Second, to investigate the effects of pulse consumption on plasma sulfur amino acid (SAA) concentrations as pulses are generally low in SAA and may limit taurine synthesis. Last, to assess the general safety and efficacy of feeding pulse-containing diets on canine body composition and hematological and biochemical indices. MethodsTwenty-eight privately-owned domestic Siberian Huskies (13 females; 4 intact, and 15 males; 6 intact) with a mean age of 5.3 ± 2.8 y (± SD) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (n = 7/treatment), with equal micronutrient supplementation and increasing whole pulse ingredient inclusion (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%) with pea starch used to balance protein and energy. ResultsAfter 20 wks of feeding, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in echocardiographic parameters, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and cTnI concentrations among treatments or across time within treatment (P > 0.05), indicating no differences in cardiac function among treatments. Concentrations of cTnI remained below the safe upper limit of 0.2 ng/mL for all dogs. Plasma SAA status, body composition, and hematological and biochemical indices were similar among treatments and over time (P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe results from this study suggest that increasing the inclusion of pulses up to 45% with the removal of grains and equal micronutrient supplementation does not impact cardiac function concurrent with dilated cardiomyopathy, body composition, or SAA status and is safe for healthy adult dogs to consume when fed for 20 wks.

Comparison of echocardiography, biomarkers and taurine concentrations in cats eating high- or low-pulse diets.

There are ongoing investigations into diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, but there has been minimal investigation into possible diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. The objective of this study was to compare cardiac size and function, cardiac biomarkers and taurine concentrations in healthy cats eating high- vs low-pulse diets. We hypothesized that cats eating high-pulse diets would have larger hearts, lower systolic function and higher biomarker concentrations than cats eating low-pulse diets and that there would be no difference in taurine concentrations between the diet groups. Echocardiographic measurements, cardiac biomarkers, and plasma and whole-blood taurine concentrations were compared between cats eating high- and low-pulse commercial dry diets in a cross-sectional study. There were no differences between the high- (n = 21) and low-pulse (n = 31) diet groups with regard to age, sex and breed, but more cats in the high-pulse group were overweight or obese (67% vs 39%; P = 0.05). Diet duration was not different in the groups, but the range was wide (6-120 months). No differences were found between the diet groups for key cardiac measurements, biomarker concentrations, or plasma or whole-blood taurine concentrations. However, there were significant negative correlations between diet duration and measures of left ventricular wall thickness in the high-pulse, but not the low-pulse, diet group. This study did not detect significant associations between high-pulse diets and cardiac size, function and biomarkers, but the secondary observation of significant negative correlations between time on high-pulse diets and left ventricular wall thickness warrants further evaluation.

Metabolomic profiling in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy eating non-traditional or traditional diets and in healthy controls

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), caused by genetic and environmental factors, usually progresses to heart failure, a major cause of death in elderly people. A diet-associated form of DCM was recently identified in pet dogs eating non-traditional (NT) diets. To identify potential dietary causes, we analyzed metabolomic signatures and gene set/pathway enrichment in (1) all dogs based on disease, diet, and their interactions and (2) dogs with DCM based on diet. Metabolomic analysis was performed in 38 dogs with DCM eating NT diets (DCM-NT), 8 dogs with DCM eating traditional diets, 12 healthy controls eating NT diets, and 17 healthy controls eating traditional diets. Overall, 153 and 63 metabolites differed significantly between dogs with DCM versus healthy controls and dogs eating NT versus traditional diets, respectively, with 12 metabolites overlapping both analyses. Protein–protein interaction networks and gene set enrichment analysis identified 105 significant pathways and gene sets including aging-related pathways (e.g., nuclear factor-kappa B, oxidative damage, inflammation). Seventeen metabolites differed significantly in dogs with DCM eating NT versus traditional diets (e.g., fatty acids, amino acids, legume biomarkers), suggesting different mechanisms for primary versus diet-associated DCM. Our multifaceted metabolomic assessment of DCM in dogs highlighted diet’s role in some forms of DCM.

Clinical features and incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs of South Gujarat, India

Clinical features and incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs of South Gujarat, India

Genetic Basis of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs and Its Potential as a Bidirectional Model.

Simple SummaryHeart disease is a leading cause of death for both humans and dogs. Inherited heart diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), account for a proportion of these cases. Human and canine patients with DCM suffer from an enlarged heart that can no longer pump efficiently, resulting in heart failure. This causes symptoms or clinical signs like difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and eventually death. The symptoms or clinical signs of this disease vary in age of onset at the beginning of symptoms, sex predisposition, and overall disease progression. Despite the many similarities in DCM in both species, only a few candidate genes so far have been linked to this disease in dogs versus tens of genes identified in human DCM. Additionally, the use of induced pluripotent stem cells, or engineered stem cells, has been widely used in the study of human genetic heart disease but has not yet been fully adapted to study heart disease in dogs. This review describes the current knowledge on the genetics and subtypes of naturally occurring DCM in dogs, and how advances in research might benefit the dog but also the human patient. Additionally, a novel method using canine engineered stem cells to uncover unknown contributions of mistakes in DNA to the progression of DCM will be introduced along with its applications for human DCM disease modeling and treatment.Cardiac disease is a leading cause of death for both humans and dogs. Genetic cardiomyopathies, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), account for a proportion of these cases in both species. Patients may suffer from ventricular enlargement and systolic dysfunction resulting in congestive heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias with high risk for sudden cardiac death. Although canine DCM has similar disease progression and subtypes as in humans, only a few candidate genes have been found to be associated with DCM while the genetic background of human DCM has been more thoroughly studied. Additionally, experimental disease models using induced pluripotent stem cells have been widely adopted in the study of human genetic cardiomyopathy but have not yet been fully adapted for the in-depth study of canine genetic cardiomyopathies. The clinical presentation of DCM is extremely heterogeneous for both species with differences occurring based on sex predisposition, age of onset, and the rate of disease progression. Both genetic predisposition and environmental factors play a role in disease development which are identical in dogs and humans in contrast to other experimental animals. Interestingly, different dog breeds have been shown to develop distinct DCM phenotypes, and this presents a unique opportunity for modeling as there are multiple breed-specific models for DCM with less genetic variance than human DCM. A better understanding of DCM in dogs has the potential for improved selection for breeding and could lead to better overall care and treatment for human and canine DCM patients. At the same time, progress in research made for human DCM can have a positive impact on the care given to dogs affected by DCM. Therefore, this review will analyze the feasibility of canines as a naturally occurring bidirectional disease model for DCM in both species. The histopathology of the myocardium in canine DCM will be evaluated in three different breeds compared to control tissue, and the known genetics that contributes to both canine and human DCM will be summarized. Lastly, the prospect of canine iPSCs as a novel method to uncover the contributions of genetic variants to the pathogenesis of canine DCM will be introduced along with the applications for disease modeling and treatment.

NT‐proBNP as a diagnostic marker of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

In dogs of service breeds, cardiopathology is one of the most common diseases of non‐infectious etiology. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is frequently reported among other heart conditions in large and giant breed dogs. As a result of our previous work, it has been established that DCM of varying severity is recorded in no less than 25% of service dogs. The diagnosis at the later stages of development is not difficult ‐ an enlarged cardiac silhouette on the roentgenogram, enlarged cavities of the heart chambers with echocardiography, ventricular extrasystoles on the electrocardiogram, and a drop in blood pressure during tonometry. Treatment at the late stages of DCM is ineffective and prolongs the dog's lifespan by an average of 3 months. It is advisable to start treatment when the dog is in the early stages of DCM development. However, it is not so easy to identify the disease at the initial stage using visual diagnostics. Therefore, additional methods for diagnosing heart function are required, among which serological analysis for brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) can be distinguished. The study aimed to determine the sensitivity of NT‐proBNP in large and giant breed dogs suspected of having DCM disease. Study inclusion criterion: dogs used in security and search work; large or giant breeds; age 2‐8 years; vaccination against rabies, leptospirosis, plague of carnivores, adenovirus infection, parvovirus enteritis, viral hepatitis; absence of diseases of infectious, invasive, and non‐infectious etiology for the last 3 months. In the experiment, 24 dogs were used, which were divided into three groups: group 1 ‐ dogs with significant dilatation of the heart cavities, rhythm disturbances, and a drop in blood pressure (n = 8); Group 2 ‐ dogs with moderate dilatation of the heart cavities, ECG changes, a moderate decrease in blood pressure (n = 8); Group 3 ‐ animals that had no abnormalities during ultrasound diagnostics in the state of the heart (n = 8). An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay determined the NT‐proBNP activity. Thus, in dogs of group 1, the NT‐proBNP activity was increased to 4381.7 ± 281.1 pmol / l, which is 20.5 times higher (p <0.05) than in healthy dogs. Severe DCM was confirmed in these dogs. In group 2 animals, the NT‐proBNP level exceeded the values of healthy animals and amounted to 831.7 ± 94.5 pmol / l, which is 3.9 times higher than the normal values. Despite the absence of changes detected during visual diagnostics of the heart, in 2 of 8 dogs of group 3, NT‐proBNP increased to 467.8 ± 15.4 pmol / L. It was increased 2.1 times, which suggested a violation of cardiac activity in these animals. Repeated diagnostics of these 2 dogs 9‐15 months after the start of the study revealed changes characteristic of DCM ‐ changes in the electrical activity of the heart, dilatation of the heart chambers, changes in blood pressure. Based on the experiment results, it was concluded that serological analysis for NT‐proBNP level is a sensitive test that can be included in the list of DCM differential diagnoses.

Prospective study of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets and in dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities.

BackgroundRecent studies have investigated dogs with presumed diet‐associated dilated cardiomyopathy (daDCM), but prospective studies of multiple breeds are needed.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate baseline features and serial changes in echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers in dogs with DCM eating nontraditional diets (NTDs) or traditional diets (TDs), and in dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities (SCA) eating NTD.AnimalsSixty dogs with DCM (NTD, n = 51; TDs, n = 9) and 16 dogs with SCA eating NTDs.MethodsEchocardiography, electrocardiography, and measurement of taurine, cardiac troponin I, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide were performed in dogs with DCM or SCA. Diets were changed for all dogs, taurine was supplemented in most, and echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers were reassessed (3, 6, and 9 months).ResultsAt enrollment, there were few differences between dogs with DCM eating NTDs or TDs; none had low plasma or whole blood taurine concentrations. Improvement in fractional shortening over time was significantly associated with previous consumption of a NTD, even after adjustment for other variables (P = .005). Median survival time for dogs with DCM was 611 days (range, 2‐940 days) for the NTD group and 161 days (range, 12‐669 days) for the TD group (P = .21). Sudden death was the most common cause of death in both diet groups. Dogs with SCA also had significant echocardiographic improvements over time.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDogs with DCM or SCA previously eating NTDs had small, yet significant improvements in echocardiographic parameters after diet changes.

Association between dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism in dogs

It is a known fact that thyroid hormones have an influence on the heart function. Opinions on hypothyroidism and its effect on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) development are controversial and often contradictory. This prospective study examined the potential association between hypothyroidism and DCM in dogs. A total of 35 dogs with DCM were included in the study. Preclinical DCM was diagnosed in 18 patients, and clinical DCM was diagnosed in 17 patients, four of which were also diagnosed with hypothyroidism. There was a positive correlation between the thyroid-stimulating hormone and body weight, left atrium size and the serum NT-proBNP concentration in patients with preclinical DCM. Euthyroid dogs with DCM had higher total thyroxine values and more ventricular premature complexes than hypothyroid dogs. Although our study did not confirm a direct relationship between hypothyroidism and DCM as a possible cause, other correlations were detected that had not yet been described in veterinary medicine.

Echocardiographic assessment of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a frequent cause of cardiac disability, congestive heart failure (CHF), and arrhythmic death in dogs. The etiology of DCM is usually idiopathic/genetic, but some causes of a DCM phenotype are reversible. The disease is classified into preclinical (occult) and clinical (overt) stages; the latter stems from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. DCM is further characterized by clinical, electrocardiographic, circulating biomarker, and imaging abnormalities. The diagnosis of clinical DCM with CHF is straightforward; however, identification of the preclinical stage can be challenging. Echocardiography is central to the diagnosis of both stages and characterized by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with progressive chamber dilation and variable enlargements of the left atrium and right-sided chambers. Left ventricular dilation is defined by increased LV end-diastolic volumes, areas, and internal dimensions normalized to body size or indexed to the aorta. Systolic dysfunction is characterized by decreased LV ejection fraction, increased end-systolic volume, and reduced shortening across minor and longitudinal LV axes. Dyssynchrony can confound the interpretation of linear indices of systolic function. A comprehensive echocardiogram in DCM includes two-dimensional and M-mode studies, spectral and tissue Doppler imaging, and potentially three-dimensional echocardiography and myocardial strain imaging. Echocardiographic findings should be interpreted within the context of identifiable risks and comorbidities, physical diagnosis, complementary diagnostic testing, and limitations of current reference intervals. Ambiguous examinations should be repeated. Specific echocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of DCM are proposed to encourage discussion and additional outcome and breed-specific echocardiographic studies of canine DCM.

Investigation of diets associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs using foodomics analysis

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease of the heart muscle that affects both humans and dogs. Certain canine diets have been associated with DCM, but the diet-disease link is unexplained, and novel methods are needed to elucidate mechanisms. We conducted metabolomic profiling of 9 diets associated with canine DCM, containing ≥ 3 pulses, potatoes, or sweet potatoes as main ingredients, and in the top 16 dog diet brands most frequently associated with canine DCM cases reported to the FDA (3P/FDA diets), and 9 non-3P/FDA diets. We identified 88 named biochemical compounds that were higher in 3P/FDA diets and 23 named compounds that were lower in 3P/FDA diets. Amino acids, amino acid-derived compounds, and xenobiotics/plant compounds were the largest categories of biochemicals that were higher in 3P/FDA diets. Random forest analyses identified the top 30 compounds that distinguished the two diet groups with 100% predictive accuracy. Four diet ingredients distinguished the two diet groups (peas, lentils, chicken/turkey, and rice). Of these ingredients, peas showed the greatest association with higher concentrations of compounds in 3P/FDA diets. Moreover, the current foodomics analyses highlight relationships between diet and DCM in dogs that can identify possible etiologies for understanding diet-disease relationships in dogs and humans.

Retrospective study of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

BackgroundThe United States Food and Drug Administration is investigating possible diet‐associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and cats.ObjectivesTo retrospectively review DCM cases for signalment, diet information, echocardiographic changes, and survival.AnimalsClient‐owned dogs (n = 71).MethodsMedical records of dogs diagnosed with DCM between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2018 were reviewed. Dogs were grouped into “traditional” or “nontraditional” diet categories and whether or not diet was changed after diagnosis.ResultsFor dogs eating nontraditional diets, those that had their diets changed had a larger percentage decrease in normalized systolic left ventricular internal dimension (P = .03) and left atrial:aorta ratio (P < .001) compared to those that did not have their diets changed. Survival time was significantly longer for dogs with DCM eating nontraditional diets that had their diets changed (median survival, 337 days; range, 9‐1307 days) compared to dogs eating nontraditional diets that did not have their diets changed (median survival, 215 days; range, 1‐852 days; P = .002).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDogs with DCM eating nontraditional diets can experience improvement in cardiac function after diet change but additional research is needed to examine possible associations between diet and DCM.

The use of bisoprolol in comprehensive treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a chronic progressive heart disease leading to the death of the animal. To provide timely and effective medical assistance to dogs suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, early diagnosis is essential. It allows identifying sick animals before the development of cardiac decompensation and clinical manifestations of congestive heart failure. There are two major diagnostic methods for dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs at the symptomless stage: echocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring. If untreated, this pathology progresses over time. For this reason, the clinicians are faced with a challenge of enhancing the quality of an animal’s life and prolonging it. Given this, we set the objective of studying the effects of the beta-blocker Bisoprolol (Concor) on myocardial conduction and contractility in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and comparing tolerance to this drug taken by dogs in various initial dosages with their therapeutic efficacy. The study object was beta-blocker Bisoprolol (Concor). The experiments were performed on dogs, age 2–5 years, weight 15-30 kg, with dilated cardiomyopathy in the developed chronic Stage С Index B heart failure stage. All dogs underwent comprehensive clinical examinations, tonography, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring. It was established that usage of Bisoprolol (dosage 0.25 mg/kg) led to blood pressure decrease, reduced ejection fraction, shortening fraction, and deterioration of the general condition of sick dogs. We have proved therapeutic efficacy and good tolerance of Bisoprolol in the initial dosage of 0.15 mg/kg taken by dogs every 12 hours.

Special topic: The association between pulse ingredients and canine dilated cardiomyopathy: addressing the knowledge gaps before establishing causation.

In July 2018, the Food and Drug Administration warned about a possible relationship between dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and the consumption of dog food formulated with potatoes and pulse ingredients. This issue may impede utilization of pulse ingredients in dog food or consideration of alternative proteins. Pulse ingredients have been used in the pet food industry for over 2 decades and represent a valuable source of protein to compliment animal-based ingredients. Moreover, individual ingredients used in commercial foods do not represent the final nutrient concentration of the complete diet. Thus, nutritionists formulating dog food must balance complementary ingredients to fulfill the animal’s nutrient needs in the final diet. There are multiple factors that should be considered, including differences in nutrient digestibility and overall bioavailability, the fermentability and quantity of fiber, and interactions among food constituents that can increase the risk of DCM development. Taurine is a dispensable amino acid that has been linked to DCM in dogs. As such, adequate supply of taurine and/or precursors for taurine synthesis plays an important role in preventing DCM. However, requirements of amino acids in dogs are not well investigated and are presented in total dietary content basis which does not account for bioavailability or digestibility. Similarly, any nutrient (e.g., soluble and fermentable fiber) or physiological condition (e.g., size of the dog, sex, and age) that increases the requirement for taurine will also augment the possibility for DCM development. Dog food formulators should have a deep knowledge of processing methodologies and nutrient interactions beyond meeting the Association of American Feed Control Officials nutrient profiles and should not carelessly follow unsubstantiated market trends. Vegetable ingredients, including pulses, are nutritious and can be used in combination with complementary ingredients to meet the nutritional needs of the dog.

Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?

Diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: what do we know?

Evaluation of add on effect of carvedilol on standard protocol of digoxin, frusemide and benazepril in the management of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

This is a prospective, controlled, randomized clinical trial in canine patients with overt Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). We hypothesized that the addition of the third generation beta-blocker carvedilol to the standard treatment of diuretic (furosemide), inotropic support (digoxin) and ACE-inhibitor (benazepril) would have beneficial effects over cardiac function and quality of life (QoL) that would be measurable 90 days post-treatment. 16 dogs diagnosed with overt DCM were recruited. They underwent clinical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography and neurohormonal profiling (NT-proBNP and NO). Dogs were divided in two groups, receiving standard therapy or standard therapy plus carvedilol and subjected to re-evaluation on 90 days post-treatment. Our results indicated that the addition of carvedilol to the standard therapy improved echocardiographic indices of systolic function (FS and EF), reduced NT-proBNP and NO serum levels and quality of life within the group but did not showed the significant improvement over standard therapy. This suggested that the addition of carvedilol to the standard therapy in canine patients with overt DCM might have beneficial effects in cardiac function and quality of life in the treatment was continued for longer period.

Use of RNA-seq to identify cardiac genes and gene pathways differentially expressed between dogs with and without dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE To identify cardiac tissue genes and gene pathways differentially expressed between dogs with and without dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). ANIMALS 8 dogs with and 5 dogs without DCM. PROCEDURES Following euthanasia, samples of left ventricular myocardium were collected from each dog. Total RNA was extracted from tissue samples, and RNA sequencing was performed on each sample. Samples from dogs with and without DCM were grouped to identify genes that were differentially regulated between the 2 populations. Overrepresentation analysis was performed on upregulated and downregulated gene sets to identify altered molecular pathways in dogs with DCM. RESULTS Genes involved in cellular energy metabolism, especially metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, were significantly downregulated in dogs with DCM. Expression of cardiac structural proteins was also altered in affected dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that RNA sequencing may provide important insights into the pathogenesis of DCM in dogs and highlight pathways that should be explored to identify causative mutations and develop novel therapeutic interventions.

Xanthine oxidase as a biochemical marker of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs more frequently in large breed of dogs and the common form is the Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Xanthine oxidase is considered as one of the potent enzyme causing oxidative stress in the failing heart, and it uncouples cardiac energy consumption from cardiac contraction resulting in heart failure. In the present study xanthine oxidase activity was estimated in the serum of Dilated cardiomyopathy affected dogs and compared with that of healthy dogs serving as control. Similarly, other known cardiac enzyme markers like creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also estimated. The results showed a 300% increase in the specific activity of xanthine oxidase and a 200% increase in the total activity of xanthine oxidase. This ind icates that measurement of xanthine oxidase activity can serve as an early biochemical marker for diagnosis of Dilated cardiomyopathy in canines.q

Comparative assessment of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, nitric oxide and echocardiography for diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Summary The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-Pro BNP) and nitric oxide (NO) with echocardiography (gold standard test) in diagnosis of canine cardiomyopathy. Out of 374 cases, 82 cases showing cardiovascular abnormalities including 16 cases of cardiomyopathy were further selected for standardization of biomarkers. Significant (P<0.01) increase in plasma NT-Pro BNP was found in dogs with cardiomyopathies. The plasma concentration of NO showed non-significant increase in comparison to healthy dogs. The sensitivity of NT-Pro BNP and NO was 72.20% and 62.50%, with specificity 93.90% and 89.40%, respectively when compared with echocardiography. The correlation between echocardiography and NT-Pro BNP was 89.30% with kappa value of 0.675 suggesting substantial agreement between the two tests. The positive and negative predictive value was estimated at 0.765 and 0.925, respectively. It is concluded that NT-Pro BNP and NO may be an alternate diagnostic tool for diagnosis of cardiomyopathy where the facility of echocardiography is not available.