TAURINE DEFICIENCY IN CATS
- What is Taurine?
Taurine is a type of amino acid, which are the building blocks of all proteins. Taurine is exclusively found in animal-based proteins. It is critical for normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, to maintain normal pregnancy and foetal development, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Taurine is an essential amino acid in the cat.
What is an essential amino acid?
- When a human or animal eats proteins, the proteins are broken down into their individual amino acid components before they are absorbed.
- Some of the amino acids can be manufactured within the body from other amino acids while others are essential. Different species of animals have different essential amino acid requirements.
- Most mammals are able to manufacture enough taurine from other amino acids to meet their needs. However, cats have a limited ability to manufacture taurine; therefore, taurine is classified as an essential nutrient in the cat.
- For cats, taurine is readily obtained from their diet, as long as the diet contains animal-based proteins. Unfortunately, it is not stored in large quantities in the body and so must be consumed on a regular basis.
Importance of Amino Acids:
- Amino acids help the body’s cells create proteins needed for the proper functioning of every part of the human and feline body. The acids aid in the metabolic process and play an important role in the transportation and storage of nutrients.
- Although many amino acids are produced by the body, some can only be obtained through food. Amino acids that must be obtained through diet alone are known as “essential” amino acids. Although people and dogs can synthesize taurine from other amino acids, cats cannot. If they don’t receiveenough of this essential amino acid in their food, their health will eventually begin to decline.
Taurine deficiency:
- Taurine is an essential amino acid in cats, responsible for a variety of important bodily functions such as vision, heart function, digestion, and foetal development.
- Amino acids are fuels the body needs to function properly and are typically derived from protein that cats and other animals digest and break down.
- Cats are especially susceptible to taurine deficiency since they are unable to convert other amino acids into taurine, unlike some other species.
Causes of Taurine deficiency in cats:
- Taurine is naturally found in uncooked meat which makes up a considerable portion of diets in wild cats.
- Cooking food can often degrade or destroy taurine, which is why commercial cat foods typically supplement their recipes with this nutrient.
- Taurine deficiency typically occurs when cat is eating a commercial diet or some home prepared raw diets that do not include organ meat, which is where the highest concentrations of the amino acid is found.
- Eating a diet that doesn’t contain taurine is the leading cause of the deficiency. Cats that eat homemade foods or eat a vegetarian or vegan diet are most at risk of developing serious health problems related to a lack of taurine.
- Taurine supplements will increase pet’s supply of the amino acid, but the supplements may not provide enough taurine to prevent health problems.
- Cat may also be a risk of a taurine deficiency if he or she enjoys sampling your dog’s food. Dog food doesn’t contain taurine, as dogs can create their own supply of the amino acid. Although cat may like the taste, a steady diet of dog food is a bad idea.
- If cat can’t resist chowing down on dog food, feed the dog in a separate room when it’s mealtime.
Symptoms of Taurine Deficiency in Cats:
Symptoms of taurine deficiency in cat are slow to progress and may not be immediately apparent. Symptoms will often be degenerative, which means they become progressively worse over time. Signs of taurine deficiency include:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy:The condition causes the heart to enlarge, affecting its ability to pump blood effectively. Cats affected by dilated cardiomyopathy may also develop congestive heart failure as a result of pumping issues.
- Blindness:A taurine deficiency can cause degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Unfortunately, once these cells are lost, they can’t be replaced.
- Tooth decay:Taurine helps cat’s teeth stay strong and healthy. When it’s in short supply, cavities are more likely to occur.
- Reproductive issues:Cats that don’t receive enough taurine may be unable to have kittens.
- Developmental concerns:Kittens born to mothers with taurine deficiencies may face growth problems and might be more likely to experience bone fractures.
- Gastrointestinal problems:Taurine helps the body produce bile salts needed for fat digestion. Without enough taurine, cat may develop diarrhoea and digestion issues.
- Hair loss:Lack of taurine may also affect coat and lead to hair loss.
- Immune system disorders:Without enough taurine, cat’s immune system may not function optimally. As a result, cat might not be able to fight off viruses as easily as healthy cats and may suffer from frequent illnesses.
- Diabetes:Taurine helps the body regulate blood sugar. Cat may develop diabetes without sufficient amounts of taurine.
- Lethargy:Cats affected by the deficiency may appear tired and listless.
Diagnosis of Taurine deficiency in cats:
- Based on history and signs and symptoms
- Details regarding the food that the cat is having: homemade or canned
- Information of the ingredients used in both types of the food
- A detailed eye examination in order to look for retinal degeneration
- If dilated cardiomyopathy is suspected, ultrasound or chest x-rays will help to diagnose the condition or rule out a more serious genetic heart defect or damage.
- Electrocardiogram turns out to be a helpful tool in which the electrical function of heart is monitored for normal rhythm.
Nutritional management of the deficiency:
- The standard treatment for taurine deficiency is supplementation of taurine. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long a cat has been suffering, ongoing supplementation may be needed for the correction of the deficiency.
- Synthetic taurine will be required for supplementation, as once deficiency is present the conditions have progressed too far for dietary changes alone to resolve the condition.
- Inclusion of meat in the regular diet.
- Cats should not allow to eat dog’s food since dog food does not contain taurine in it.
- Cats that eat homemade foods or eat a vegetarian or vegan diet are most at risk of developing serious health problems related to a lack of taurine.
- Taurine is naturally found in uncooked meat which makes up a considerable portion of diets in wild cats. Cooking food can often degrade or destroy taurine.
Dr.Akshay J. Wankhade M.V.Sc (Animal Nutrition) Fine Organics Industries Limited 8657580179
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