Another post from the same message forum thread as above:
"Taurine Deficient Diets and Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A recent retrospective study has looked at clinical parameters of 12 Newfoundlands , including outcomes, with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). All 12 dogs were fed commercial dry diets containing lamb meal, rice, or both as the main ingredients. Results suggest that consumption of these diets may be associated with low blood or plasma concentrations of taurine and DCM. Taurine supplementations mat result in prolonged survival times and better cardiac function in these dogs. This is not typical for other kinds of DCM. Samples should be submitted for measurement of taurine in dogs on lamb and rice diets and for any dog with DCM. Taurine supplementation is recommended for all dogs with low taurine levels( check your lab). Supplementation of 500 mg. BID for the average adult dog can be done even while results are pending.
Home prepared diets of low protein tofu-based diets had low taurine levels in two dogs. Three Golden Retrievers with taurine deficient diets lived in the same household and were consuming a vegetarian diet formulated by the owner. I am personally aware of one Irish Setter who died of DCM in my hospital on a lamb and rice diet, and had a taurine level of 6, severely low. Your veterinarian should analyze the dog’s diet if it seems suspect, but the focus should measurement of taurine levels by blood or plasma.
S. Gary Brown, DVM
1 Taurine deficiency in Newfoundlands fed commercially available complete and balanced diets.. Backus, R.C.,Cohen, Pion, Good, Rogers,, Fascetti--- JAVMA vol. 223, no. 8 Oct. 15,2003, pp 1130-1135 2. Taurine deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy : 12 cases(1997-2003 Fascetti,Andrea J., Reed, Rogers, Backus. JAVMA vol. no. 223 , no. 8 Oct. 15, 2003 pp1137-1141"