Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings in Irish Wolfhounds eating high‐pulse or low‐pulse diets

Abstract Background Apparently healthy dogs of various breeds eating nontraditional, high‐pulse diets can have larger left ventricular diameter, lower systolic function, and more ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) compared with dogs eating traditional, low‐pulse diets. It is unknown whether Irish Wolfhounds eating high‐pulse diets have similar cardiac abnormalities. Hypothesis/Objectives To compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings between Irish Wolfhounds eating high‐ or low‐pulse diets. Animals Ninety‐seven Irish Wolfhounds. Methods Retrospective study of Irish Wolfhounds that had echocardiography performed at dog shows between October 2018 and May 2021. Demographic information, echocardiographic measurements, cardiac rhythm (1‐minute lead II rhythm strip), and main diet were recorded retrospectively. Diets were classified as high‐pulse or low‐pulse based on the presence and location of pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, or dry beans) on the ingredient list. Results Thirty‐five of 97 Irish Wolfhounds (36%) were eating high‐pulse diets and 62 of 97 (64%) were eating low‐pulse diets. There were no significant differences between diet groups in echocardiographic measurements. A significantly higher percentage of dogs in the high‐pulse diet group (6/35 [17%]) had VPCs compared with those in the low‐pulse diet group (1/62 [2%]; effect size = 0.15 [95% confidence interval: 0.004‐0.31]; P = .005). Conclusions and Clinical Importance In this retrospective study of apparently healthy Irish Wolfhounds, high‐pulse diets were associated with a higher prevalence of VPCs which could represent early cardiac abnormalities.