A retrospective study looked at 84 dogs with myxomatous mitral valvular disease (MMVD) at a veterinary teaching hospital. The researchers assessed iron deficiency using transferrin saturation levels.
They found that 12% of the dogs had iron deficiency. Dogs with iron deficiency had significantly higher stroke volume and cardiac output compared to dogs with normal iron levels. The study also found a significant inverse correlation between transferrin saturation levels and cardiac output.
The study did not report any safety concerns, as it was an observational analysis of existing data. The main reason to be careful is that the study shows a link, not a cause, and the sample size was small. The prevalence of iron deficiency in canine heart disease is still poorly understood.
From this study, readers should understand that iron deficiency is present in some dogs with MMVD and is associated with changes in heart function. This may be a potential risk factor, but more research is needed to confirm any causal relationship.