Cherrybrook Update on the DCM Investigation

Latest Update From Cherrybrook on The FDA DCM Investigation: At Cherrybrook your pet’s health and well being is our highest priority. Today the FDA issued a long awaited update on their ongoing Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Investigation.  There has been much discussion about DCM and diet in the “dogverse” this past year, we are talking with customers, pet food industry experts, veterinary nutritionists, and food companies about this very topic on a daily basis. The update by the FDA was anxiously awaited by all of us. This update provides a good deal more information than the initial alert issued in July of 2018 and the first update the FDA provided in February of 2019. The data provided is welcome because in the absence of data and facts there has been much speculation and misinformation disseminated over the last several months. Here are some of the data highlights from the update: ·     There have been a total of 524 reported cases of DCM between Jan 2014- April 2019 ·     There have been a total of 119 DCM related deaths between Jan 2014-April 2019 ·     The update provides a listing of the breeds affected by DCM, the largest group with 92 reported cases are Golden Retrievers  ·     Dry Kibble was the most common type of pet food with a 452 reported cases having fed kibble ·     The update lists 16 brands of pet food frequently named  ·     Chicken was the most common animal protein fed in the reported cases ·     90% of the diets were "grain free" with some combination of Peas, Lentils and Potatoes There is a good deal of information provided in this update. But the data does not provide answers. This is a just the beginning. The most important take away from the FDA update is that there is still much work to be done before they can fully determine a casual link between DCM and “grain free” diets: “Based on the data collected and analyzed thus far, the agency believes that the potential association between diet and DCM in dogs is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors. We understand the concern that pet owners have about these reports: the illnesses can be severe, even fatal, and many cases report eating “grain-free” labeled pet food. The FDA is using a range of science-based investigative tools as it strives to learn more about this emergence of DCM and its potential link to certain diets or ingredients.” Link to the FDA June 26, 2019 Update As we dig deeper into the FDA update Cherrybrook will be provide more information in the coming days and weeks. We will continue to update you with any developments, updates will be posted on our Facebook page and sent via our weekly emails. Our Store team members are always available to help answer your questions regarding pet food choices.