Scientific Forum Exploring Causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs
Kansas State University held a virtual scientific forum on September 29, 2020 to explore the emerging issue between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and certain diets.
The goal of this virtual scientific forum was to share preliminary data and explore multiple scientific theories regarding potential DCM etiologies. This was a very collaborative event with various stakeholders well represented and able to produce clinical research occurring on all levels including nutrition, cardiology, toxicology, academia and industry. This exchange allowed discussion of current research findings as well as sharing of insights from preliminary studies, thereby furthering the collective understanding of the issue. Much of the presented research is preliminary and will enter the publication process.
This forum was an important first step in sharing data across many fronts and will hopefully lead to further discussion and collaborative efforts.
There was a wide range of different presentations as you can see in the abstracts below.
Agenda
Welcome & Opening Remarks | Dr. Steve Ensley - KSU |
| Opening Remarks | Dr. Steven Solomon - FDA |
Pet Food Makers’ Perspective: The Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Understanding and Communicating About Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs (Abstract, Presentation) | Dana Brooks - PFI |
| Implication of grain-free foods in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy is an inappropriate over generalization; rather, DCM is scientifically complex and subject to a combination of multiple factors (Abstract, Presentation) | Jeff Johnston- Champion Petfoods |
| Missing Elements in the Discussion of DCM (Abstract, Presentation) | Dr. George Collings - Nutrition Solutions |
| Low pulse diet DCM CVCA (Presentation) | Dr. Steven Rosenthal - CVCA |
| Moderated Q&A | |
| DCM incidence, the effects of extrusion and small scale manufacturing on kibble quality, and evaluation of plasma, whole blood, and myocardial taurine and carnitine (Abstract, Abstract, Abstract, Presentation) | Drs. Eva Oxford, Shiva Garimella and Renee Streeter - BSM
|
| Historical use of pulses and pulse ingredients in pet food industry: Past, Present and Future (Abstract, Presentation) | Dr. Mehmet Tulbek - AGT Foods |
| The evaluation of protein and carbohydrate sources with an emphasis on their impact to taurine status in dogs (Abstract, Presentation) | Dr. Greg Aldrich - KSU |
| Prevalence of selected cardiotropic pathogens in the myocardium of adult dogs with unexplained myocardial and rhythm disorders (Presentation) | Dr. Roberto Santilli - Cornell
|
| Moderated Q&A | |
| Pulses and Pet Food | Tim McGreevy - USADPLC & APA |
| Investigation of potential genetic interactions behind dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs via a genome-wide associated study (GWAS) (Abstract, Presentation) | Drs. Jennifer Radosevich and Kathy Gross - Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. |
| Association of diet on clinical outcomes in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure | Dr. Teresa DeFrancesco - NC State
|
| Moderated Q&A | |
| Commonality in features observed as early responses in healthy dogs fed a legume-rich diet and in dogs diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy 2018-2020 (Abstract, Presentation) | Dr. Anne Marie Baake - Waltham PetCare Institute |
| Update on diet-associated DCM studies | Dr. Lisa Freeman- CVM Tufts |
| FDA Update on Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Fully and Partially Recovered Cases (Abstract, Presentation) | Drs. Jennifer Jones, Lauren Carey and Lee Anne Palmer - FDA CVM |
| Moderated Q&A | |
Discussion - Objectives: To identify data gaps and opportunities for collaboration | Moderated by Dr. Steve Ensley, KSU |
| Wrap-up | KSU and FDA |
