“What you’re seeing isn’t normal aging,” Dr. Sullivan said.
“It’s taurine deficiency. As dogs age, their taurine levels drop. When that happens, cells can’t produce energy properly. Everything starts breaking down—heart function, vision, immune response, brain activity, joint health. All of it accelerates.”
She pulled up Duke’s file.
“Most vets aren’t taught to look for this. We manage the symptoms as they appear. But the root cause is nutritional. AAFCO doesn’t require any taurine in dog food. Cat food has to be supplemented because cats can’t produce it themselves. Dogs can produce some, but not enough as they age.”
“So when he started slowing down at 7—”
“He was already deficient. And it’s gotten worse each year.”