Background: Taurine deficiency (TD) and its association with a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype (DCMp) is well described in cocker spaniel breeds. Taurine is currently considered a conditionally essential canine amino acid, and consequences of TD in the general dog population may be underappreciated.
Objectives: To retrospectively examine the prevalence of low taurine concentrations in dogs tested for TD, the prevalence of low taurine concentration in dogs with an echocardiographic diagnosis of a DCMp, and, furthermore, to describe dog characteristics and clinical findings in dogs diagnosed with low taurine concentrations. Animals: 310 client-owned dogs evaluated at the cardiology units of three animal hospitals in Sweden between 2018 and 2024.
Methods: Retrospective study of dogs that, following echocardiographic examination and at the clinician’s discretion, had EDTA-plasma analysed for taurine concentrations, because of ventricular systolic dysfunction, and/or a DCMp.
Results: Low taurine concentrations (below reference ranges) were found in 78/241 (32%) of dogs screened for TD. Dogs from 29 breeds, of which 55/78 (71%) were non-cocker spaniel breeds, presented with low taurine concentrations. Of 148/217 (68%) dogs diagnosed with a DCMp and tested for TD, 68 (46%) had low taurine concentrations, yielding a cumulative period prevalence of 31% for dogs with DCMp. Low concentrations were found in 45/68 (66%) of TD tested dogs diagnosed with DCMp and congestive heart failure.
Conclusion: Nearly half of the taurine tested dogs with a DCMp had low taurine concentrations, and low concentrations were observed in approximately 30 breeds. The impact of TD in dogs should be further explored.
