Animal Health Issues: Bloat

*Immune System: Problems and Support*	*Allergies/Eyes, Ears and Skin*	*Bloat*
*Cancer*	*First Aid*	*Incontinence*
*Miscellaneous*	*Natural Pest Control*	Heartworms and Other Parasites

This is a potentially fatal medical condition, usually occurring in deep chested dogs such as Weimaraners, Dobermans and Great Danes, among others. It comes on suddenly. Administering Phazyme or Mylanta may buy you a bit of time by helping reduce gas buildup, but administering it may only be possible if the stomach has not tortioned (twisted over on itself). Tortion causes gas to build up in the stomach, and impairs blood supply to the stomach. Once the stomach tissue begins dying from lack of blood supply, it is not reversible. Ask your vet ahead of time for detailed information regarding bloat, and dosage and administration instructions, so that you’re prepared. Keep the products named above on hand -- do not substitute brands unless your vet indicates otherwise, as the ingredients in these products are the ones that are safe and effective for dogs. At the first sign of bloat (including one or more of panting, pacing, licking or biting at the side or stomach areas, distended stomach – ask your vet for all the signs to watch for), rush the dog to your vet or animal emergency care facility. To help minimize the possibility of bloat, wait 30 minutes after heavy exertion before feeding (including walks that result in the animal panting), and one hour after feeding before they resume strenuous activity. Confirm these time increments with your veterinarian. The weight of the food in their stomach can potentially cause the stomach to turn over on itself if they’re engaged in such activity. In addition to obtaining information from your veterinarian, there are numerous websites which address this issue – search for “canine bloat”, “bloat in dogs” or related search strings. Following are the latest findings on bloat research from Purdue University:

“Dietary Risk Factors for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) in 11 Large and Giant Dog Breeds: A Nested Case-Control Study -- ABSTRACT [released 1/23/02] (Malathi Raghavan, DVM, MS; Lawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH; Nita W. Glickman, MS, MPH; Diana B. Schellenberg*, MS)

Dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in dogs were identified using a nested case-control study. Of 1991 dogs from 11 large- and giant-breeds in a previous prospective study of GDV, 106 dogs that developed GDV were selected as cases while 212 remaining dogs were randomly selected as controls. A complete profile of nutrient intake was constructed for each dog based on owner-reported information, published references and nutrient databases. Potential risk factors were examined for a significant (p<0.05) relationship with GDV risk using unconditional logistic regression. The study confirmed previous reports of increased risks of GDV associated with increasing age, having a first-degree relative with GDV, and having a raised food bowl. New significant findings included a 2.7-fold (or 170%) increased risk of GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients. The risk of GDV was increased 4.2-fold (or 320%) in dogs that consumed dry foods containing citric acid that were also moistened prior to feeding by owners. Dry foods containing a rendered meat meal with bone among the first four ingredients significantly decreased GDV risk by 53.0%. Approximately 30% of all cases of GDV in this study could be attributed to consumption of dry foods containing fat among their first four ingredients, while 32% could be attributed to consumption of owner-moistened dry foods that also contained citric acid. These findings can be used by owners to reduce their dogs' risk of GDV. [emphasis added]

Note: A detailed report of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed veterinary journal. Until it is published, we are prevented by journal copyright policy to release any information other than this abstract.” [http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/dietrisk.htm]"

Jerold S. Bell, DVM, of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, wrote an article entitled "Risk Factors for Canine Bloat" for the October 2003 Tufts' Canine and Feline Breeding and Genetics Conference. I highly recommend that you read this article, whether or not you feed kibble. It contains the latest information (more current than the above Abstract) about bloat. Knowing this information could save your dog's life. See http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=TUFTSBG2003&PID=5091&Category=824&O=Generic, or if you are unable to access it this way, go to http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=TUFTSBG2003&O=Generic and Click on "Articles" at the left side of the screen.