V'23 Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University Billerica, Massachusetts, United States
Abstract: Background – Apparently healthy dogs eating non-traditional diets (NTDs) have larger left ventricular diameter, lower systolic function, and more ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) compared to dogs eating traditional diets (TDs). It is unknown whether this finding also occurs in Irish Wolfhounds.
Hypothesis/Objectives – To compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings between Irish Wolfhounds eating NTDs and TDs.
Animals – Irish Wolfhounds that had echocardiography performed at dog shows between 2018-2020.
Methods – Demographic information, echocardiographic measurements, cardiac rhythm (from a rhythm strip), and main diet (i.e., the diet providing each dog’s main source of calories) were recorded. Diets were classified as NTDs if the diet contained any pulses in the top ten ingredients and as TDs if there were no pulses in the top ten ingredients.
Results – One hundred forty-eight Irish Wolfhounds had echocardiograms performed during this time period. Dogs were excluded because of pre-existing heart disease (n=12), raw or homemade diet (n=28), and unknown diet (n=9). Of the 96 eligible dogs, 35 were eating NTDs (median pulse score=42 [range, 16-104]) and 61 were eating TDs (median pulse score=0 [range, 0-11]; P< 0.001). There was no significant difference in age, sex, or body condition score. There were no significant differences in echocardiographic measurements between the two diet groups. However, 6/35 dogs eating NTDs (17%) had VPCs compared to 1/61 dogs eating TDs (2%; P=0.009).
Conclusions and clinical importance – Similar to a previous study of four dog breeds, Irish Wolfhounds eating NTDs had significantly more VPCs compared to dogs eating TDs.
