Heart Muscle Disease in Dogs.

This is Jegs, a 4.5 year old whippet. He was diagnosed with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) when he was 1.5. It was shocking news for us. The first question which the Vet asked was what kind of food your dog's had? We had fed Jegs by grain-free food as was recommended in the pet store and we choose Nutrience (grain free)

DCM affects the heart muscle in dogs, resulting in weakened contractions and reduced pumping ability. Essentially, DCM is an enlarged heart that does not function properly.


We thought we did the best for our dog ... apparently not. I have done my homework regarding Grain Free foods, and learned that according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration: a federal agency responsible for monitoring trading and safety standards in the food and drug industries.) there is a potential connection between grain-free diets and a type of canine heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy.
Here is a bit information Why I don’t recommend grain free food for dogs. Taurine Deficient Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), which I've got from the Facebook page.

Proponents of grain free diets claim that grains are an unnatural source of nutrition for our dogs. They argue that ancestors of our current-day dogs did not eat grains. While their ancestors may not have eaten grains, evolution allows our dogs to easily digest carbohydrates. Another reason that many dog owners choose to feed grain free or gluten free dog foods is a mistaken belief that these diets are the best choice for dogs that have food allergies. While food allergies do occur in pets, grains are not among the most common allergens found in foods. The two most common causes of allergies in dogs are beef and dairy. For dogs that truly do have allergies to grains, a grain free diet would be an appropriate choice. The following are symptoms that would be expected in dogs that have food allergies (or other types of allergies): Itchiness year-round, excessive hair loss, inflamed skin, sores or hot spots.  Allergy testing is not always a good way to discover if your dog has a food allergy. Rather, a food trial with a grain free food or a different protein source would be necessary to determine whether the food is beneficial for your dog.
Dangers of feeding grain free food. 

One of the dangers of greatest concern is dietary Taurine Deficient Dilated Cardiomyopathy. A cardiac condition that leads to sudden death.

So, long story short, right now our dog is on a special diet, medication and supplements. We don't know for sure if the cause of Jegs' DCM is food related or due to his blood line, however, the right nutrition will help us to deal with this problem.

Recovery mechanisms of the heart muscle atrophy:

First of all, Jegs should eat a balanced diet that is low in trans and saturated fats and contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources.
1. We switched Nutrience (grain free) food to Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Canine CARDIAC dry dog food. My dog loves it!!!
- Specially formulated to assist in the management of heart disease in adult dogs.
- Assists in the management of heart disease
- Reduces the workload on the heart
- Helps reduce inflammation.
2. Take prescribed medications. Our Vet prescribed Vetmedin,
3. The process of energy accumulation in the heart cells depends on the presence  of Coenzyme Q-10 in the body. With age, the production of Coenzyme Q-10 is reducing, therefore it requires additional intake of this product. The recommended dose is 1 tablet per day with meals.
4. Unsaturated fatty acids omega-class are the basis of cell membranes. They provide the body with energy. The natural complex of Omega 3/60 contains 60% essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It has a strong antioxidant effect and eliminates the shortage of essential fats in the diet. The recommended doze is 1 capsule a day.  A half an hour before meals.
5. Give your lovely puppy Coral Taurine. Taurine is important to keep the cardiovascular system healthy. It helps to calm the nervous system and lowers anxiety.The recommended doze is 1 tablet a day after meals.
6. Also, I add in Jegs nutrition H-500. Н-500 prevents the destructive power of free radicals and boosts energy by stimulating cellular energy output. The recommended doze is 1 capsule a day.
7. It is essential to maintain an optimal balance of water supplies in the body. It normalizes the functions of all bodily organs and systems by regulating mineral balance. Let your furry family member drink water as much as he/she wants.  Personally, I add in his water ball some coral sand of Coral Mine. Coral Calcium of Coral-Mine saturates the water with active ionized calcium. Daily use of such coral water contributes to:
- the achievement of optimal blood pH,
- reducing the risk of the cardiovascular system- and digestive organs diseases,
- blood oxygen saturation,
- normalization of blood glucose and blood pressure,
- normalization of the kidneys, digestive system, and liver functions,
- prevention of arthritis,
- improve the elasticity of muscles and joints,
- restoring the normal structure of bone and cartilage tissues.
8. There is a common expression: Movement is Life, everyone knows that. Engage your dog  in at least 30 minutes of physical activity. This activity does not need to be intense, and even brisk walking is great for his/her heart strengthening.

Right now Jegs is doing well, he doesn't cough anymore as he did before, he doesn't show any signs of fatigue. He has a good appetite. His gums look healthy. He doesn't have difficulty breathing, and according to his doctor, Jegs heart rate sounds better than one month before. We have another check up scheduled in May, 2019.May. Will keep our fingers crossed.

I wish your lovely dog a healthy and happy life for many years to come :-)


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can personally verify the products by ordering them right now. Attention, please: after pressing the button you will be redirected to the Coral Order system site.
The contents of this Website are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. 
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