IMPORTANCE OF TAURINE FOR CATS
DR. ABHISHEK MISHRA,TVO,JAHANABAD
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/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 fetal 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. Of the twenty common amino acids, some can be manufactured within the body from other amino acids while others are essential, meaning that the body cannot manufacture them, and they must be included as part of the diet. 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. Fortunately 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.
What happens if taurine levels are deficient?
Clinical signs of taurine deficiency are slow to develop. It can take several months before symptoms become apparent, depending on the cat’s life stage.
If taurine levels are deficient, the retinal cells of the eyes will eventually degenerate, impairing the vision. This condition is referred to as feline taurine retinopathy, or more commonly, feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD). Deficiency of taurine will also lead to a weakening of the muscle cells in the heart, causing a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). See the handouts “Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs” and “Cardiomyopathy in Cats” for more information. Taurine is a component of bile salts, and its deficiency may cause digestive disturbances.
“Clinical signs of taurine deficiency are slow to develop.”
If caught early enough, dilated cardiomyopathy may be reversible with dietary supplementation. Left untreated for too long, retinal degeneration will lead to irreversible blindness, while dilated cardiomyopathy will progress to heart failure and death.
During pregnancy, a mother cat must have adequate levels of taurine to maintain her health and to ensure proper growth and structural development of her kittens. Low taurine levels result in small litter sizes, low birth weights, or fetal abnormalities. In growing kittens, taurine deficiency can result in delayed growth.
Why recommend administration of taurine to my pet?
Processing can affect taurine levels in the diet, while increased dietary fiber can decrease its absorption. Cat foods that contain high-quality animal-based protein will supply adequate levels of taurine for a normal, healthy cat. Dog food does not contain enough taurine to meet the normal requirements for a cat.
Supplemental taurine may be added to certain cat foods, especially diets that are formulated for specific needs such as growth and development or heart disease. Supplementation is relatively safe, with no reports of problems associated with excessive dietary taurine in the cat.
Taurine was first recognized as a necessary component of the cat’s diet in the late 1980’s. Since then, all diets that are formulated for cats are supplemented with enough taurine to meet the normal cat’s needs. Supplemental taurine is used as a treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in cats.
Are other pets treated regularly with taurine?
There are isolated occurrences of taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. There appears to be a genetic predisposition to this problem in some breeds of dogs, including American Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and Newfoundland dogs. Supplementation of these dogs may be recommended as part of their treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy.
As previously noted, all cats require taurine as part of their diets. A healthy cat that eats a high-quality cat food that is appropriate to its life stage does not require supplementation.
Supplemental taurine is recommended for cats with health problems, or cats that are not getting the majority of their nutrition from a high-quality commercial cat food.
How successful is supplementation with taurine?
When being used to treat dilated cardiomyopathy, taurine supplementation is usually effective if the disease is caught in its early stages. Taurine supplementation may slow or stop the progression of retinal degeneration, but is usually not successful in reversing the damage.
How safe is taurine?
Supplementation is relatively safe, with no reports of problems associated with excessive dietary taurine in the cat.
Where do I obtain taurine and do I need a prescription?
Consumers are advised that quality of supplements may vary significantly among manufacturers. Your veterinarian may have preferred supplement manufacturers that he or she will recommend. Taurine is available over-the-counter without a prescription.
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 receive enough of this essential amino acid in their food, their health will eventually begin to decline.
Taurine is an essential amino acid in cats, responsible for a variety of important bodily functions such as vision, heart function, digestion, and fetal 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.
Why does my cat need taurine?
Because taurine is crucial to many normal metabolic processes, a taurine deficiency can cause significant health issues for your cat over time. Cat’s that experience taurine deficiency may develop serious problems including:
- 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.
- 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 your 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, your pet may develop diarrhea and digestion issues.
- Hair Loss.Lack of taurine may also affect your furry friend’s coat and lead to hair loss.
- Immune System Disorders.Without enough taurine, your cat’s immune system may not function optimally. As a result, your pet might not be able to fight off viruses as easily as healthy cats and may suffer from frequent illnesses.
- Taurine helps the body regulate blood sugar. Your pet may develop diabetes without sufficient amounts of taurine.
- Cats affected by the deficiency may appear tired and listless.
In some cases, it may be possible to reverse the effects of a taurine deficiency if your cat is diagnosed in time and begins to receive supplemental taurine. Unfortunately, heart and vision changes aren’t reversible.
How do I make sure my cat has enough taurine?
Meat and fish are excellent sources of taurine. As obligate carnivores, cats need to consume meat in order to be healthy. Pet food is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and taurine is so important for cats that the AAFCO lists it as a necessary nutrient in cat foods.
One way to ensure your cat is getting enough taurine is to only feed pet foods certified by AAFCO. However, pet foods that are extruded, cooked, boiled or canned will have significantly reduced amounts of taurine in the diet. In addition, pet foods high in fiber may actually limit your cat’s ability to absorb taurine.
What foods are high in taurine?
The greatest concentration of taurine is found in organ meat which is why all Vital Cat diets are formulated with only organ meat, bones and parts, ensuring cats get the right amount of taurine with no artificial additives. Whether you choose Vital Cat freeze-dried or frozen, the premium meat contains all the nutrients your cat needs to thrive. All Vital Essentials diets meet AAFCO standards and contain no fillers or high fiber junk ingredients like wheat, corn or rice.
How Do Taurine Deficiencies Occur?
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. Although caring pet owners often create special diets in an attempt to help their pets, the diets may actually harm their furry friends.
Taurine supplements will increase your pet’s supply of the amino acid, but the supplements may not provide enough taurine to prevent health problems. If you feed your pet a homemade, vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s a good idea to share the diet with your pet’s veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. These professionals can help you tweak the meal plan to ensure that it meets all of your cat’s nutritional needs.
Your 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 your cat may like the taste, a steady diet of dog food is a bad idea. If your cat can’t resist chowing down on dog food, feed your dog in a separate room when it’s mealtime.
Symptoms of Taurine Deficiency in Cats
Symptoms of taurine deficiency in your 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:
- Retinal degeneration
- Irreversible blindness if retinal degeneration is not addressed
- Weakening of the muscles of the heart leading dilated cardiomyopathy
- Death if cardiomyopathy is not addressed
- Digestive issues
- Fetal abnormalities
- Small litter sizes
- Low birth weights
- Delayed growth and development in kittens
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 your 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. Recent recalls of cat food have focused on lack of appropriate levels of taurine in the final product.
Diagnosis of Taurine Deficiency in Cats
Taurine deficiency will often be a difficult diagnosis to make on its own. Your veterinarian will need a thorough medical history and a recounting of the progression of any symptoms. Of particular importance will be a full accounting of your cat’s diet. If you feed your pet a commercial cat food, bringing the bag or a picture of the ingredients list will be useful. If you use a home prepared diet you should carefully document the ingredients and provide a full list to your vet.
Next your veterinarian will run a full blood panel and urinalysis. This will involve collecting a small sample of blood from your cat in a painless and quick blood draw procedure. Since taurine deficiency often will not cause elevated levels that would appear, these tests will generally help rule out conditions with similar symptoms.
Other diagnostic tests will depend on the symptoms your cat is displaying. Your vet may perform a detailed eye examination in order to look for retinal degeneration. The retina requires high amounts of taurine in order to function properly and low levels will cause irreversible 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. Your vet may also want to perform an electrocardiogram in which the electrical function of your cat’s heart is monitored for normal rhythm.
Treatment of Taurine Deficiency in Cats
Treatment of your cat will begin with supporting your cat’s underlying symptoms. Once your cat has become stabilized, the standard treatment for taurine deficiency is supplementation of taurine. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long your cat has been suffering, ongoing supplementation may be needed for the life of your cat. 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.
Recovery of Taurine Deficiency in Cats
The long term prognosis for recovery from taurine deficiency in your cat will depend on the progression of the condition and the level of damage incurred from the deficiency. If the taurine deficiency has been short-term or has not caused permanent damage, after sufficient taurine supplementation has allowed levels in the body to regulate, your cat will have a good chance at full recovery.
If significant damage has occurred as a result of the deficiency, your cat may need additional medications or support. Medication may be needed to help support your cat’s heart if it has developed dilated cardiomyopathy. If your cat has suffered from vision damage you may need to alter the living environment in order to support your cat’s daily life. Vision damage should not affect your cat’s ability to live a long and healthy life.
Management of taurine deficiency will also require rectifying the dietary deficiencies that caused the condition to develop. Your cat should be fed a balanced diet with the adequate amount of nutrients. Pet owners should also pay attention to any recalls of commercial cat food in order to ensure that their cat is receiving adequate nutrition
