Comments

1. 

   Krista Magnifico

   Hello,
   The answer for this comes in a few parts.
   First, yes, I suspect I have had some patients die from heart failure secondary to grain free diets. These were confirmed as suspected by the cardiologist who saw them after me. So. Yes. I am concerned that grain free contributes detrimentally to heart disease and death.

   Second was heart disease confirmed by your vet? Or a cardiologist? I see far more bulldogs dying from brachycephalic syndrome disease than anything else. By a lot. I had three die this summer from inability to breathe after getting too hot or too overexerted. Unless your dog was diagnosed with a heart condition I suspect it was the head and face that caused the issue and not the heart. That’s just been my experience over 20 years in practice.

   1. 

      Marie Post author

      Is there a way to see Racheal’s syndrome disease coming? I never let her over exert or get too hot. She’s my baby and I guard her health and well being ferociously. I have been called over protective but I want her to be with me as long as possible.

      What are your thoughts on Raw and freeze dried raw diets.? It makes sense to me to feed as close to nature as possible but the diets also scare me – bacterial infections etc.

2. 

   Laura

   A friend’s golden lost his life to a cardiac event after several years on a grain free diet, confirmed by necropsy that he had a heart attack. The problem with grain-free diets is the substitution of legumes as fillers – this seems to be the contributing factor for dietary DCM. Did you have a necropsy done to verify it was the heart?

   I’m so very sorry. Assuming your dog had dietary DCM, DCM is the absolute worst. We lost our Doberman in the same way, to sudden death, but in her case it’s endemic in the breed and she was diagnosed a little over a year prior. If it’s any consolation, the arrhythmic form of DCM – also called sudden death – does not allow the dog to suffer. It’s over like someone flipped a light switch. I know that’s the form I preferred for my dog – it SUCKED for us, but it was an easy departure for her, and that’s what matters most.

   I would start researching raw, if you have a dog in need of a very restrictive diet that cannot easily be satisfied by mass produced options. Do a L O T of research into raw, as it’s more complicated than feeding a kibble diet.

   1. 

      Marie Post author

      It’s so heartbreaking to lose our fur babies so suddenly. Well anytime to be honest but it’s worse when you can’t prepare. I am sorry for your loss.

      I have been researching raw and freeze dried raw and the decision making is daunting.

3. 

   Marie Post author

   Many thanks to you both for the responses. My Bunny did die from congestive heart failure confirmed post mortem. It was so chocking when she died. I came in the door, she bounced across the room to greet me and collapsed at my feet. The emergency clinic could do nothing to save her.

   I now have a second American Bulldog and am worried for her as she has allergies as well. I am doing a partial limited ingredient diet and looking at raw or freeze dried raw. But it’s a lot to sift through so it’s a process. I don’t believe Peanuts allergies are food based but environmental. Apoquel sparingly and Cytopoint are keeping things at bay.

   What are your thoughts on giving a taurine supplement to counter the effects of the no grain diets?

   1. 

      Laura

      I would do trials of various proteins to verify the allergies are, in fact, environmental, and then feed a limited ingredient kibble based on that. There are several on the market if you’re in the US. I know someone whose greyhound couldn’t do fish or chicken and did exceedingly well on Natural Balance.

   2. 

      Laura

      Also? Talk to a cardiologist in your area.

4. 

   Marie Post author

   Thanks I did 6 months worth of food trial as well as feeding a hypoallergenic Rx diet. It did not change her itching/allergies. Seasonally they seem to be worse and being outside makes them worse. So indoors it is, Apoquel and cytopoint. For now.

   1. 

      Laura

      Ah, sounds environmental for sure. I’d just feed a decent grain inclusive food.