Can Diet Slow Heart Disease???

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Incidence of Cruciate Disease in Feild Trial Labs

This passage discusses a study conducted on field trial Labrador Retrievers to determine the prevalence and impact of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCLD) in this specific population. CCLD is a common orthopedic problem in dogs and can result in ligament rupture, leading to joint instability and lameness. The study collected data through owner-submitted surveys, which might introduce some bias, and not all respondents provided complete information. The reported occurrence of CCLD in field trial Retrievers was approximately 12%, which is significantly higher than the 2.8% to 4.8% prevalence found in the general population of Labrador Retrievers. This indicates the possibility of a higher occurrence of CCLD in the athletic Labrador population. The study also noted a genetic component to CCLD, with Labrador Retrievers having a higher prevalence compared to other breeds. However, there was a lack of knowledge within the community regarding the causes of CCLD, with confusion between degenerative CCLD and traumatic CCL rupture. The results indicated that a larger proportion of dogs with bilateral CCL tears had returned to the sport compared to those with only one affected leg. This might be due to different management approaches or the timing of the injury and return to the sport. Some limitations of the study include survey bias, the inability to confirm veterinary diagnoses, and the lack of access to medical records. Nonetheless, the findings highlight the importance of educating the field trial community on CCLD and the need for further research to better understand and manage this condition in working dogs. In summary, the study suggests that field trial Labrador Retrievers have a higher occurrence of CCLD compared to the general population of Labradors, and there is a lack of awareness and confusion regarding the causes of the disease within the field trial community. The results can be used to raise awareness and educate the community about CCLD, leading to better prevention and treatment strategies for these canine athletes. 

Hynes, J., Manfredi, J. M., & Shull, S. A. (2023). Cranial cruciate ligament disease is perceived to be prevalent and is misunderstood in field trial sport, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (published online ahead of print 2023). Retrieved Jul 26, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.01.0004 

Bottom line — Probably higher but may have to do with the terminology surrounding the disease.

Can Diet Slow Progression of Mitral Disease in Dogs?

The study investigated the effect of a custom formulated diet enriched with antioxidants, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), and other metabolic precursors on echocardiographic left heart enlargement in dogs with mild subclinical degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). The researchers hypothesized that the test diet would slow or prevent left heart enlargement compared to a control diet over a 12-month feeding period. The previous study, which motivated this larger study, showed positive results with a decrease in left atrial diameter (LAD) and left atrium-to-aorta diameter ratio (LA : Ao) in the test diet group after 3 and 6 months compared to the control group. However, the larger study with client-owned dogs did not show similar results. The findings indicate that the test diet did not prevent or slow echocardiographic left heart enlargement in dogs with mild subclinical DMVD over the 12-month feeding period. The study had some limitations, including variations in diet formula across different manufacturing plants and the use of surrogate markers (heart size) rather than clinically relevant events like congestive heart failure or mortality. Additional studies are needed to understand the impact of diet and the cardiac metabolome in dogs with DMVD. Overall, while the previous study showed promising results, the larger study did not replicate those findings, highlighting the complexities and challenges in studying dietary interventions for heart disease in dogs. 

Oyama, MA, Scansen, BA, Boswood, A, et al. Effect of a specially formulated diet on progression of heart enlargement in dogs with subclinical degenerative mitral valve disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37( 4): 1323- 1330. doi:10.1111/jvim.16796 

Bottom line — Complex issue but not supported in this study.

Pimobendan and Platelets in Cats

 The passage discusses the investigation of antithrombotic drugs in cats with cardiomyopathy, as thromboembolic complications account for a significant percentage of deaths in these cases. Antithrombotic approaches include inhibition of platelet function through the use of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Pimobendan, a positive inotrope and vasodilator commonly used in the treatment of heart disease in cats, is also an inhibitor of PDE3. Several in vitro studies have shown that pimobendan can inhibit platelet aggregation in humans and animals, but these effects were observed at concentrations much higher than those achievable with clinically recommended oral dosages. However, to date, there were no published reports characterizing pimobendan's effects on platelet function when given orally to cats at clinically relevant dosages. To address this gap, the study aimed to evaluate the effects of pimobendan, administered orally at two clinically relevant dosages, on platelet function in healthy adult cats. The hypothesis was that pimobendan would not significantly change platelet function in healthy cats. The results of the study showed that pimobendan, at the tested doses, did not have a significant effect on platelet aggregation or PFA-100® closure time in healthy cats. The study acknowledged its limitations, including the possibility of inherent insensitivity to ADP in some cats, the influence of sedative drugs on platelet function, and the low plasma concentrations of pimobendan and its active metabolite at certain time points. The study also highlighted the need for further investigation to explore pimobendan's effect on platelet function in cats with heart disease, particularly when the drug is administered alone or in combination with other antiplatelet medications. In summary, the study concluded that oral administration of pimobendan at clinically relevant dosages did not produce a measurable antiplatelet effect in healthy adult cats. However, it emphasized the importance of future studies to explore the drug's effects in cats with heart disease, where its usage is more common and may involve other medications. 

Kennerly, R., Coleman, A. E., Jasper, S. L., Arnold, R. D., & Brainard, B. M. (2023). Effects of orally administered pimobendan on platelet function in healthy adult cats, American Journal of Veterinary Research Jul 26, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.23.05.0103 

Bottom line — No measurable platelet effect in this study.

Just putting things in perspective …