Gastric Dilatation Volvulus - "Bloat"

[Caryll]

I think this should be something every GSD owner (and every other breed, really) should be aware of.

Bloat is particularly nasty, can happen in a blink of the eye and can kill in a few hours!

Bloat in Dogs | Symptoms and Treatment of Bloat | Blue Cross https://share.google/Jy0tED3My1roczVH3

 

[Andre]

Very good point Caryll, bloat is definitely something to be mindful of. It's good to spread out eating/drinking from exercise as a preventive measure. I've seen some studies on raised feeders/bowls but it doesn't seem like there is anything conclusive on it since I last checked.

Are there any other measures you know of that can prevent/discourage bloat? Definitely not something you want to go through with any dog.

 

[Caryll]

I'm not sure even the professionals know all the causes of bloat - sometimes it just happens.

I know a while ago they said raised feeders could help prevent it, but it seems not & there are studies that point towards them making it worse.

Over feeding, exercise too close to feeding and inappropriate food seem to be big triggers.

It also seems to be quite rare in pups, but the incidences seem to increase with age. My boss's dog was 11 when she died, despite the bloat being caught quite early. So sad.

 

[MyDogBitz]

I wish I could remember the podcast I listened to, but there was a veterinarian on with a breeding background in WLGSDs and he said he believed there was a genetic component to it and that it's been the last decade or so that the condition has become prevalent in his practice.

It might have been one of the Ivan Balabanov interviews. Anyway, I'm not sure if it helps but I like to offer food and water in smaller amounts to prevent my dog from scarfing down too much, too quickly.

 

[Andre]

I wish I could remember the podcast I listened to, but there was a veterinarian on with a breeding background in WLGSDs and he said he believed there was a genetic component to it and that it's been the last decade or so that the condition has become prevalent in his practice.

It might have been one of the Ivan Balabanov interviews. Anyway, I'm not sure if it helps but I like to offer food and water in smaller amounts to prevent my dog from scarfing down too much, too quickly.

Smaller amounts as in feeding meals in smaller portions more times a day or slow feeders to encourage slower eating?

Interesting about the genetic point, I wonder if that's actually the case. Would be cool to see if more testing and research is done.

I'm not sure even the professionals know all the causes of bloat - sometimes it just happens.

I know a while ago they said raised feeders could help prevent it, but it seems not & there are studies that point towards them making it worse.

Over feeding, exercise too close to feeding and inappropriate food seem to be big triggers.

It also seems to be quite rare in pups, but the incidences seem to increase with age. My boss's dog was 11 when she died, despite the bloat being caught quite early. So sad.

Definitely super sad. Fingers crossed no one here has to deal with it.