My friend just lost a 5 year old GSD to a twisted stomach. I was there. I've been told no excercise for a hour before or after eating. No problem there. This dog is a couch potato.
Ive now been told that feeding only once a day can contribute to this. Is that true? And does anyone rially know what causes this problem? Is it genetic?
Ron

The Journal of the AVMA has published studies which found correlations between all the following and GDV (bloat):
- fewer meals per day, thus more food at one sitting
- raised food bowls
- rapid eating
- large or giant breed
- having a first generation relative with GDV
- increasing age
- having a very deep and narrow thorax
- having a temperament described as a "worrier"

There is also another food factor which I can't lay my hands on, something about a certain ingredient, which if it's one of the first four listed on the package, increases the risk.

There are no conclusive studies showing a genetic component; the fact that multiple siblings die of GDV could simply be because they have a similar structure or nervous temperament.

Thanks Lee I appreciate the info.
Ron

Lee,

Is there a logical explanation of how raised food bowl may cause bloat? I better be sure cause I raised the bowl on my own dogs. Thanks

Unfortunately, there's no explanation for why anything is related to GDV, but if I remember right, a raised food bowl had one of the higher correlations with GDV. I don't have my copy of the journal article here at work to check.

Hasn't the raised/lowered debate gone back and forth in the vet world? Seems every year they sway back and forth over feeding height.

Not that I'm aware of, do you have a reference supporting raising it?

hi,
I think that the raised bowl actually contributes to less GDV's. A lowered bowl when the dog is eating allows for more air to come into the dogs stomach while he is eating. Because of this the stomach is filled more rapidly. A bloat happens in two conditionsn first the gaastric dilatation, in which the stomach distends with gas and fulid. The second is volvulus, in which the distended stomach rotates on its long axis. The spleen which is attached to the wall of the stomach, therefore rotates with the stomach. The gastric dilatation may or may not be complicated by volvulus. If the volvulus dose occur the stomach may twist 180 d. or less. An actual volvulus is a twist of 180d, to 360 d. or more.
during a GDV (bloat) the volvulus aloows for the pyllorus to be pulled out of position and becomes displaced to the left og the stomach. This pinches off the duobenum and prevents fluid and air from escaping the stomachthrough the pyloric canal. At the same time the head of the stomachbecomes twisted and obstructed preventing the dog from belching and vomiting. Gas and fluid are trapped in the closed-off stomach, which becomes hugly distended Interference with blood flow results in death of the wall of the stomach.
Boat can happen to any dog of any age, GSD's are more at risk to developing this problem. It can happen suddenly to an active, healthy dog. The dog may have eaten a large meal, exercised vigorously before or after eating, or drank a large amount of water immediatly after eaing. There is no evudence that the protien or soy content in the diet contributs to bloat. Research has showen Th majority of gas associated with bloat is due to swallowed air.
I am not a vet, but i have worked with many, i also used my book, "dog owner's home veterinary handbook"

Angela

Again, can you cite a reference for saying that the majority of the air in the stomach is due to swallowed air, or that raising the dish reduces the amount of air swallowed? Until I read valid research to the contrary, I'd be sticking with the AVMA's best guidance.

ok, say yu have a giant breed of dog with a big, deep chest, lets say a Great Dane. He of course being 32 inches tall, or even more, is eating out of a bowl that stands 2 inches off the ground. Being so tall the dog bends down 20 inches or more, while he is opening his mouth to consume the food large amount of air is also consumed alng with the food. 2 to 3 hours later the owners strt to see the beging signs of bloat.
Anouther Dane, this one eats from a raised bowl, it stands 14 inches tall, small amouts of air enter the stomach, therefor no GDV. My proof is the experiance I have from books, consulting vets and trainers/breeders. Lee, can you please give me probabal cause for saying that a raised bowl can contribute to bloat, and please with out listing the names of people. Discribe it in a scientific point of view.
Angela