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Incidence and Breed Related Risk Factors for Gastric Dilation-Volvulus in Dogs
5-year prospective study by Larry Glickman, VMD, Ph.D., Purdue University Continue Reading »

Bloat is a life-threatening, acute emergency prepare a bloat kit (google search for bloat kit to choose one), print out this article to keep in a safe place and in your car, to take to the ER vet. Know the symptoms of bloat.

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GRANT

Incidence and Breed Related Risk Factors for Gastric Dilation-Volvulus in Dogs
5-year prospective study by Larry Glickman, VMD, Ph.D., Purdue University

Participating breed clubs Akita, Bloodhound, Collie, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Standard Poodle, Weimaraner and the AKC/CHF.
Method

Investigator measured dogs at dog shows and the owners completed a detailed questionnaire concerning the dogs medical history, genetic background, husbandry and eating practices, personality and diet.

Five years later, the investigator called and conducted a follow-up on each the dog.
The incidence of bloat (GDV) was calculated for each breed.
Risk factors were compared to dog measurements and questionnaire responses to determine any correlation.   Results: Continue Reading »

Gastropexy

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/pups.htm for study results of dogs at risk, a study of 1,920 dogs. Finding on use of gastropexy for dog owners:

In a study of 1,920 dogs at risk the following recommendations can be made regarding prophylaxis for bloat:

1 - with prophylactic gastropexy; after an episode of bloat, gastropexy decreased GDV recurrence by 95%. We would consider it to be just as effective as a preventive measure on dogs at risk for GDV (ie; all deep- chested dogs, dogs with first degree relatives with GDV) You may have to go to a veterinary surgeon to perform the surgery as many vets do not do much more than spay/neuter. Also these dogs should be sterilized to prevent passing on bloat risk to their progeny.

2 -Add Simethicone to each feeding (adult human dose)

GDV (Bloat) and diet risk:

Summary: Dogs at risk for bloat (deep chested dogs) should not be fed on raised food bowls, or a food that has FAT as one of the 1st four ingredients, or fed foods with citric acid that are moistened. They should be fed food that has a rendered meat with bone in the first four ingredients. We had found that Nutro natural choice fit these criteria; however, after the recent food recall by Menu foods of many diet formulations, we now recommend Solid Gold hund n flocken which has the correct order and type of ingredients and does not use ingredients sourced from China. (http://solidgoldhealth.com/news/ )

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