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| Canine Health Foundation reports on bloat study |
CANINE BLOAT (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus) is a major digestive disease primarily found in large or giant,
deep-chested dogs, especially those with a family history of the disease or behaviors such as gulping food,
drinking lots of water after eating, or over-exercising after eating. It is caused by swallowing of air while eating,
gastrointestinal secretions, and gas fermentation of food in stomach. Bloat can trigger gastric torsion, a
life-threatening twisting of the stomach that needs immediate veterinary care to save the dog.
The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, the Morris Animal Foundation, and various breed clubs
have contributed to a bloat study at Purdue University since 1994. The initial work by Dr. Larry Glickman
included Great Danes, Irish Setters, Saint Bernards, and Standard Poodles. A year later, Akitas, Collies, Irish
Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, and Weimaraners were added. Scientists collected data on these
breeds by visiting national specialties and measuring dogs to gather data on the relationship between height,
depth and width of chest, and bloat incidence. Data collection ended March 31, 1999, and was then analyzed
by computer at the university. More than 1900 dogs were enrolled in the program; complex analysis is
expected to take several years and result in publication of at least five papers on the study.
The aim of the research is to measure the age-specific incidence of bloat in the highest-risk dog breeds; to
test the hypothesis generated from previous studies that the risk of bloat is increased in dogs with a deep and
narrow chest or abdomen when compared with other dogs of the same breed; and to determine whether the
interventions currently being used by dog owners to prevent bloat are effective.
Risk factors for bloat can be divided into those relating to the dog (body shape, personality, etc.) and those
relating to the environment or management. The study confirmed that bloat risk increased with advancing age,
larger breed size, greater chest depth, and a close family history of bloat. The study also found that some
strategies used by owners to prevent bloat either had the opposite effect or no effect at all. Particularly, raising
the food bowl more than doubled bloat risk and restricting water and food before and after exercise may not
have any effect.
The first paper arising from this study was published in the January Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association.
deep-chested dogs, especially those with a family history of the disease or behaviors such as gulping food,
drinking lots of water after eating, or over-exercising after eating. It is caused by swallowing of air while eating,
gastrointestinal secretions, and gas fermentation of food in stomach. Bloat can trigger gastric torsion, a
life-threatening twisting of the stomach that needs immediate veterinary care to save the dog.
The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, the Morris Animal Foundation, and various breed clubs
have contributed to a bloat study at Purdue University since 1994. The initial work by Dr. Larry Glickman
included Great Danes, Irish Setters, Saint Bernards, and Standard Poodles. A year later, Akitas, Collies, Irish
Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers, and Weimaraners were added. Scientists collected data on these
breeds by visiting national specialties and measuring dogs to gather data on the relationship between height,
depth and width of chest, and bloat incidence. Data collection ended March 31, 1999, and was then analyzed
by computer at the university. More than 1900 dogs were enrolled in the program; complex analysis is
expected to take several years and result in publication of at least five papers on the study.
The aim of the research is to measure the age-specific incidence of bloat in the highest-risk dog breeds; to
test the hypothesis generated from previous studies that the risk of bloat is increased in dogs with a deep and
narrow chest or abdomen when compared with other dogs of the same breed; and to determine whether the
interventions currently being used by dog owners to prevent bloat are effective.
Risk factors for bloat can be divided into those relating to the dog (body shape, personality, etc.) and those
relating to the environment or management. The study confirmed that bloat risk increased with advancing age,
larger breed size, greater chest depth, and a close family history of bloat. The study also found that some
strategies used by owners to prevent bloat either had the opposite effect or no effect at all. Particularly, raising
the food bowl more than doubled bloat risk and restricting water and food before and after exercise may not
have any effect.
The first paper arising from this study was published in the January Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association.
The following recommendations are currently being offered:
 | Feed large dogs two or three times daily, rather than once a day, and at times when someone can observe after- | |
| feeding behavior. | ||
| Be alert for any actions from the dog that signal abdominal discomfort. These include: evidence of abdominal fullness | |
| after meals, whining, pacing, getting up and lying down, stretching, looking at the abdomen, anxiety, and unproductive attempts to vomit. Animals showing the signs should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. | ||
| Establish a good working relationship with a veterinarian hospital that offers 24 hour emergency service. | |
| Make sure water is available to dogs at all times, but limit the amount immediately after feeding if the dog appears to | |
| over-consume. | ||
| Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress one hour before and two hours after meals. Walking is permissible as | |
| it may help to stimulate normal gastrointestinal function. | ||
| Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of 3-5 days. | |
| Feed susceptible dogs individually and, if possible, in a quite location. | |
| Pay special attention to these procedures after animals return home from being elsewhere. | |
| Dogs that have survived bloat are at increased risk for future episodes. Be sure to discuss preventative surgery or | |
| medical management with the veterinarian. |