Please explain "Bloat"

That was a very good site. All the info that I was curious about was right there in a very organized format. Thank you![/b]

Click to expand...

Foster and Smith site is not the most up to date. Purdue University Has done research on bloat causes, risk factors etc.
Canine Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)


The bigest risk factors, History of bloat, individual dog has bloated before, family history brothers , sisters, mother father, etc.

Age the older the dog the more likely

size and shape of chest Deep narrow chest increase risk of bloat.

Once thought as a preventative raised food bowls increase bloat risk

The speed of eating increases risk

Feeding large (in volume meals) increases risk highest risk on large meal a day

Dogs in the study that gulped water were twice as likely to get bloat as dogs that lap water normally.

Other findings in the study suggest that many kinds of stressful events are often associated with the onset of bloat such as a trip, the excitement of a picnic, a thunderstorm, and kenneling.

Dr. Bataller's findings suggest that the more nervous the dog, the more at risk. Dogs in the study were defined by their owners as calm, normal, nervous or very nervous. Normal dogs were almost twice as likely to develop bloat as compared to calm dogs. Very nervous dogs were 12 times more likely to be at risk.



Diet-Related Risk Factors for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs of High-Risk Breeds
These findings suggest that the feeding of dry dog foods that list oils or fats among the first four label ingredients predispose a high-risk dog to GDV.

Dietary Risk Factors for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) in 11 Large and Giant Dog Breeds: A Nested Case-Control Study
"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. "


Bloat: Identifying Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

According to Dr. Bataller, the time of day appears to have an influence on the occurrence of bloat. Among the dogs in his study, few incidents occurred during the morning hours. Incidents of bloat increased throughout the day and peaked at late evening. In discussing his study,

...Historically, some researchers theorized that cereal-based dry dog foods, and soybean meal in particular, might be involved in the cause of GDV due to the fermentation of food by bacteria in the stomach. The theory was that fermentation would be followed by release of large quantities of gaseous products such as carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen. However, considerable research has shown this is not true.

A study conducted at the University of Minnesota examined the gas accumulated in the stomachs of dogs with bloat. This study showed that the source of gas was swallowed atmospheric air rather than fermentation, as the original proponents had suggested. Several other studies have indicated that atmospheric air is the main source of gas in the digestive system of normal animals. ...

Studies at the University of Florida have failed to demonstrate any effect of diet on gastric function in large breed dogs, suggesting that diet is probably not a cause of the disease.[/b]

Click to expand...