You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

The Omega 3 fatty acids have a variety of roles in the body and they may be beneficial in the management of cardiomyopathy

Omega 3 fatty acids (docosahexanaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) have several effects in the body which may make them beneficial in the management of cardiomyopathy, including :

• They decrease the production of inflammatory mediators including cytokines. In one study circulating tissue necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 concentrations decreased significantly in a group of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy and secondary congestive heart failure that were given fish oil supplements *
• They provide a source of fat for energy which  help reduce cardiac cachexia * - especially as cardiac muscle cells preferentially use fatty acids as an energy source
• They stimulate appetite - also important in reducing cardiac cachexia
• They improved ventricular function *
• They may have a stabilising effect on cardiac arrhythmias (based on human studies)

Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish oils, and the recommended doses are 

• 25mg/kg body weight for docosahexanaenoic acid
• 40mg/kg body weight for  eicospenaenoic acid 

Reference

Freeman et al. (1995) The use of fish oil in dogs with congestive heart failure. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 9:203

Updated October 2013