A popular sort of petfood potentially killing otherwise healthy dogs

A popular sort of petfood potentially killing otherwise healthy dogs

A popular sort of petfood potentially killing otherwise healthy dogs

Dogs are becoming sick. Some are even dying. Veterinarians said their pet food could also be responsible. The dogs develop a heart condition that vets have linked to their diet. Now the FDA is involved.

These dog owners thought they were going above and beyond for his or her pets by feeding them expensive, specialty foods. But one Mid-South vet told FOX13 the foods aren’t making dogs healthier, they’re potentially killing them.

Melissa Lunsford rescued her Lab/Golden mix, Huck ten years ago. Huck features a lot of allergies, so Lunsford knew he was getting to need special food. She decided to travel with a grain-free diet.

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"I researched food for 3 months: where it had been manufactured, the way they processed it, where it came from, how long they’ve been in business,” said Lunsford.

The grain-free petfood trend happened around the same time that folks began going gluten-free. Lunsford says she was blindsided when the FDA announced it had been investigating a link between dog deaths and grain-free food.

"It was very shocking to listen to that albeit I had done tons of research trying to assist him, it actually was harmful to him."

The investigation happened after many dogs on a specialty diet were diagnosed with DCM - or Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

"At now, we don’t know what it's within the grain-free foods that are causing this cardiomyopathy that's exposure,” said Dr. Carr Kelsey, of Kelsey Canine Medical Clinic. he's Huck’s vet. He said DCM was something they kept an eye fixed out for in giant breeds, like Great Danes and Newfoundlands, but was turning up in other breeds. The common connection was a grain-free diet.

"The dogs would start to be slower, more lethargic, might start coughing. They’re pretty subtle signs, a minimum of initially until it really progresses. they are doing eventually get congestive coronary failure and pass on from that,” Kelsey explained.

The food in question is sold by several different brands.

The FDA has not asked manufacturers to form any changes as they investigate, but they're asking vets and pet owners to report any cases of DCM which will be connected to diet.

Lunsford said she’s grateful they made the switch before Huck showed any signs of DCM.

"I think marketing features a lot to try to to with it, so don’t get sucked into what you think that the ‘new thing’ is. Research it and confirm it’s the proper thing for you and your pet,” she said finally.

Dr. Kelsey suggests dog owners speak with the vet before making the switch to or from grain-free food.

If you notice the symptoms in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately