May 05, 2011
I just lost my 3 year old dog to bloat, what can I do to prevent going through this with my next dog?
Full Question:
I know you are probably busy - so I'll make this as short as possible. I am an RN (feel like I should have known what to do...) who just lost a 3 year old AKC beautiful male shepherd to bloat (fast). Fortunately, the vet had administered pain medication. I read posts on your site from similar BROKEN HEARTED people. You mentioned - no experience of it w/ your dogs?Question #1 - I have a nephew of my dog?s ordered - but am thinking now, I don't want to go thru this again... Is it hereditary? i.e. should I go thru another breeder, instead of same one? #2. What are the things I can do to TRY and ensure not to go through this hell again? Thank You
Cindy's Answer:
I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog, it’s very sad.
I believe there can be a genetic component to bloat, but it’s impossible to say for sure. There are so many varying opinions about how to prevent bloat, with a lot of factors at work.
I believe the dog’s genetics, overall health, size, temperament, diet and exercise all play a big role. I don’t feed or water my dogs when they are really overheated or have done heavy exercise. I don’t feed or water my dogs right before heavy exercise or training. Some people say to elevate the food bowls, some people say NOT to elevate the bowls. I don’t feed my dogs and then put them in a highly stimulating environment (like in a kennel or fenced yard with lots of activity to get them riled up). I’m not obsessive about it, but I do think about what my plans are for the day before I give my dogs a big meal or let them slurp down a big amount of water.
I am a firm believer in a raw diet and have fed raw for many years. Common sense tells me that a raw diet isn’t going to expand and produce the gas in the stomach that a kibble diet does.
We do not have a history of bloat in our dogs, and I find it hard to believe it’s merely luck. I think it’s a combination of many things.
A google search on bloat will turn up a lot of info for you to consider as well.
Cindy Rhodes
I believe there can be a genetic component to bloat, but it’s impossible to say for sure. There are so many varying opinions about how to prevent bloat, with a lot of factors at work.
I believe the dog’s genetics, overall health, size, temperament, diet and exercise all play a big role. I don’t feed or water my dogs when they are really overheated or have done heavy exercise. I don’t feed or water my dogs right before heavy exercise or training. Some people say to elevate the food bowls, some people say NOT to elevate the bowls. I don’t feed my dogs and then put them in a highly stimulating environment (like in a kennel or fenced yard with lots of activity to get them riled up). I’m not obsessive about it, but I do think about what my plans are for the day before I give my dogs a big meal or let them slurp down a big amount of water.
I am a firm believer in a raw diet and have fed raw for many years. Common sense tells me that a raw diet isn’t going to expand and produce the gas in the stomach that a kibble diet does.
We do not have a history of bloat in our dogs, and I find it hard to believe it’s merely luck. I think it’s a combination of many things.
A google search on bloat will turn up a lot of info for you to consider as well.
Cindy Rhodes
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