Purina has announced the launch of Pro Plan Veterinary Diets CC CardioCare, a new diet containing a blend of nutrients to support heart function.

CardioCare is based on research carried out at the Purina Technology Center which explored how nutrients can support the ailing heart. First, a series of metabolomics studies identified  metabolic changes that occur in MMVD. Then the company developed a ‘Cardiac Nutritional Blend’ to address these metabolic changes and evaluated it in a clinical study. 

The main elements of the Cardiac Nutritional Blend include carnitine precursors, antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides. Purina says the latter provides an alternative energy source that is easy for the struggling heart to use, something which is particularly important as the metabolomics research revealed that dogs with MMVD showed less efficient cardiac energy metabolism¹.

The company highlights a 2019 clinical study, which showed that the Cardiac Nutritional Blend has the potential to delay disease progression in dogs with preclinical MMVD. Over the six-month study period, dogs with preclinical MMVD fed the Cardiac Nutritional Blend showed a reduction in left atrial size, while an equivalent group of dogs fed a control diet showed an increase. Additionally, none of the dogs fed the Cardiac Nutritional Blend progressed from stage B1 to B2 during the study, while 37% of dogs fed the control diet showed progression².

Purina also says that while the research to date has focused on MMVD, the nutrients in CardioCare are recognised to be beneficial under conditions of cardiac stress and the diet may prove a useful tool to provide support in a wider range of conditions. The company recommends that the diet be considered as part of the management plan for any dog with cardiac insufficiency.

Dr Libby Sheridan, Purina Scientific Affairs Manager for the UK & Ireland, said: "Metabolomics research has the scope to drive huge advances in managing a range of conditions. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this exciting field and bring the benefits of our findings to vets in practice.

"CardioCare opens up a new avenue of support for patients with cardiac insufficiency and vets can use this diet as a tool to complement medical treatment."

CardioCare will be available from 30th June. Contact vettechline@purina.nestle.com for more information. 

References

1. Li Q, Freeman LM, Rush JE, Huggins GS, Kennedy AD, Labuda JA, Laflamme DP and Hannah SS (2015). Veterinary medicine and multi-Omics research for future nutrition targets: metabolomics and Transcriptomics of the common degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs. OMICS 19(8):461-470. DOI: 10.1089/omi.2015.0057
2. Li Q, Heaney A, Langenfeld-McCoy N, Boler BV and Laflamme DP (2019). Dietary intervention reduces left atrial enlargement in dogs with early preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease: a blinded randomized controlled study in 36 dogs. BMC Veterinary Research 15(1):425. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2169-1.

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.