Low circulating taurine concentrations may be a risk factor for dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. The objective of this study was to measure taurine in the blood during a 48-hour fast in 12 healthy adult Labrador Retrievers to refine sampling methodology for determination of taurine status.
Plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations did not fall to levels indicative of clinical deficiency throughout fasting; whole blood was the more reliable indicator of taurine status. This study shows that blood samples can be taken for assessment of taurine status any time up to 48 hours after ingestion of a meal in healthy adult dogs.
Source: K. Gray et al., 2015. The effect of 48-hour fasting on taurine status in healthy adult dogs. JAPAN online, August 2015. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12378
2 top trends for 2021 according to the pet food industry
New shelter data casts doubt on whether the pet population and pet ownership are truly growing.
Shelter pet adoption numbers down in 2020, but high rate
While the pandemic caused unprecedented suffering worldwide in 2020, the disruptions to dogs, cats and other pets adoption numbers may normalize in 2021.