Page 133 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

addition of taurine to such foods or increasing the intake et al. 2003). In dogs, adequate levels of taurine are values
of the precursors of taurine (methionine and cysteine) greater than 40µmol/L in plasma and greater than
can prevent such a decrease (Backus et al. 2003, Torres 200µmol/L in whole blood (Elliott et al. 2000).

3.4 Conclusion

The taurine values for cats, stated in the tables on since dogs can synthesize taurine from sulphur amino
pages 18-20, are starting points. Individual companies acids, therefore dog foods should be formulated
can have different levels of taurine in their products to maintain adequate body reserves of taurine (>
as long as they ensure that the products maintain 40µmol/L in plasma and >200µmol/L in whole blood).
adequate blood value in the cat’s body (plasma levels
should be greater than 50/60 µmol/L, > 200 µmol/L in Analytical methods for taurine are given on page 40.
whole blood). For dogs dietary taurine is not essential,

3.5 References

1. Backus RC, Cohen G, Pion PD, et al. Taurine deficiency in 9. Fox PR. Taurine deficiency dilated cardiomyopathy and
Newfoundlands fed commercially balanced diets. Journal of idiopathic myocardial failure. In: Textbook of Veterinary
the American Medical Association 2003; 223 (8): 1130-1136. Internal Medicine. SJ Ettinger, EC Feldman Edits. 5th edition,
WB Saunders Company Philadelphia, PA. 2000: pp. 908-912.
2. Backus RC. Low plasma taurine concentration in Newfound
land dogs is associated with plasma methionine and cyst(e) 10. Hickman M.A., Rogers Q.R., Morris J.G. Effect of Processing on
ine concentrations and low taurine synthesis. J. Nutr. 2006; Fate of Dietary [14C] Taurine in Cats. J. Nutrition 1990; 120:
136: 2525-2533. 995-1000.

3. Burger, I.H. and Barnett, K. C. The taurine requirement of the 11. Hickman M.A., Rogers Q.R., Morris J.G. Taurine Balance is
adult cat J. Small. Anim. Pract. 1982; 23: 533-537. Different in Cats Fed Purified and Commercial Diets. J. Nutr.
1992; 122: 553-559.
4. Delaney, S.J., Kass, P.H., Rogers, Q.R. and A.J. Fascetti. (2003)
Plasma and whole blood taurine in normal dogs of varying 12. Huxtable RJ. Physiological actions of taurine. Physiological
size fed commercially prepared food. Journal of Animal reviews; 1992: 72 (1): 101-163.
Physiology and Animal Nutrition 87: 236-344.
13. Morris JG, Rogers QR, Kim SW, Backus RC. Dietary taurine
5. Douglass, G.M., Fern E. B., Brown R. C. Feline plasma and requirement of cats is determined by microbial degradation
whole blood taurine levels as influenced by commercial dry of taurine in the gut. Vet. Clin. Nutr. 1994; 1 (3): 118-127.
and canned diets J. Nutr. 1991; 121: S179-S180.
14. Oddle J, Roach M, Baker DH. Taurine utilization by cats. J.
6. Earle, K.E. and Smith, P.M. The effect of taurine content on the Nutr. 1993; 123: 1932-1933.
plasma taurine concentration of the cat Br. J. Nutr. 1991; 66:
227-235. 15. Pion PD, Sanderson SL, and Kittleson MD. The effectiveness of
taurine and levocarnitine in dogs with heart disease. Vet Clin
7. Elliott DA, Marks SL, Cowgill L, et al. Am. J. 2000; 61: 869-. of North Am Small Anim Pract 1998; 1495-1514.

8. Fascetti AJ, Reed JR, Rogers QR, and Backus RC, Taurine 16. Pion, Kittleson & Rogers Myocardial failure in cats associated
deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy: 12 cases with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy Science
(1997-2001). JAVMA 2003; 223 (8): 1137-1141. 1987; 237: 764-768.

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