 Please may I have opinion on this?
#354847 - 02/05/2012 02:31 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-17-2010
Posts: 1442
Loc: UK
 Offline |
|
I got this article in the form of a news letter, and was specifically interested in question # 7, regarding bloat, do the facts listed here have any validity in anyones experience?
Thanks
Everyone would love to have their dog live a long healthy life. However, many dogs are taken away from us far too soon. Sometimes it is due to preventable causes, but other times it's the result of a preventable problem.
Taking care of your dog's life is a lot like taking care of your own. There are genetic factors, but there are things in the environment that change life expectancy as well. There are several things we can do to shorten our life. For example, if you were to ask our physicians about risk factors for early human death some would be drug abuse, overuse of alcohol, obesity, low/no exercise, and driving without a seatbelt just to name a few.
Have you ever thought about what the risk factors would be for dogs?
I'd like to share some thoughts about risk factors for a short life in dogs.
1. No ID tag: Dogs without ID tags may be lost and never reunited with their owners. For tips on choosing an ID tag, go to: Methods of Identification
2. No Microchip : Lost dogs with microchips get a little extra care should they ever run away and get hurt. They will be stabilized and treated by veterinarians and given extra time for their owners to find them. Find more info on microchipping your dog
3. Dogs Allowed to Roam : I believe dogs with fenced in yards live longer. Dogs allowed to roam and not on a leash are much more likely to die form being hit by a car, poisoned, or shot and suffer other injuries. Fencing is a good way to prevent roaming. Learn more at: Fencing for your dog
4. Secondhand Smoke : Risk of lung problems and cancer is higher in dogs routinely exposed to second hand smoke. Read more about these risks
5. No Training : Dogs without training are much more likely to get in to trouble. By not knowing when to "come", "leave it" and "stay" can be life changing. I've seen a dog come when called rather than chase another dog into the street...knowing that trick saved his life. I've also seen dogs that "leave it" when they picked up a toxin - again, it saved their life. Find instructions on teaching your dog the "come" command
6. Access to Trash: Dogs that are allowed access to trash can get into things that can cause life-threatening conditions. Think of everything that you throw into the garbage. What would happen if your dog ate it?
7. Feeding Elevated: There are risk factors that suggest that elevated feeding can enhance the risk for a life-threatening disease called "Bloat". Bloat is a serious condition. Evaluate your dog's risk of bloat by taking this quiz
8. Feeding Table Scraps : Dogs fed table scraps and human foods generally don't have balanced diets and have a higher incidence of nutritional problems and diseases such as pancreatitis.
9. No Vaccines: Dogs not given vaccines are at risk for multiple preventable diseases such as parvovirus, leptosprirosis, kennel cough, distemper and more. Our very own Irreverent Vet speaks out on what vaccines your dog really needs
10. No heartworm prevention: Heartworm disease is a very common disease which can be prevented by giving routine monthly medication. It is often lethal if left untreated. Learn more about this easily-preventable parasite: Heartworm Prevention in Dogs
11. Not Being Spayed or Neutered: Dogs that are not spayed are at higher risk for breast cancer as well as a potentially fatal uterine infection called pyometra. Unaltered males are more likely to fight and escape the house to roam - allowing them the opportunity to get hit by a car or shot. There are pros and cons to the procedure, but it is strongly recommended. Learn more
12. No Check-ups: Dogs without routine check-ups can have problems that can be preventable. Early diagnosis can cure many diseases.
13. No Emergency Plan : Owner that don't have any plan or resources to pay for health problems is a common cause of early death. I've seen very treatable problems lead to euthanasia because of lack of financial resources to treat those problems. Problems as simple as a broken leg or infection ended very sadly.
Please don't let this list scare you. It might seem like a lot, but chances are you're already making sure that most of these things don't happen to your dog. Read through the list and remember that it's easier to prevent a problem than it is to solve it later.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S.: How about a cute video to cheer up after reading a serious article? We have tons! Check them out
http://click.petplace.com/?ju=fe1515737c6d0375731d76&ls=fdee13707c6003797316727d&m=feff1273766004&l=fe971672756d047f7c&s=fe2b13717d65007f731774&jb=ffcf14&t=
Edited by tracey holden (02/05/2012 02:31 AM)
Edit reason: link to quiz
|
 Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354851 - 02/05/2012 09:12 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-09-2010
Posts: 653
Loc:
| Offline |
|
specifically interested in question # 7, regarding bloat, do the facts listed here have any validity in anyones experience?
I am not a vet and haven't had a personal experience but from what I've read and been advised #7 is correct, do not to elevate the food bowl as a preventative. The thought is now that by elevating the bowl the risk of bloat increases.
Personally I think for some dogs elevating is helpful and will use them if they appear to eat to eat more comfortably. There are so many risk factors, personally I would say it is indvidual dog dependent.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: aimee pochron ]
#354852 - 02/05/2012 09:42 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-17-2010
Posts: 1442
Loc: UK
| Offline |
|
Aimee what do you think of the idea over weight dogs are at less risk than lean dogs? is it to do with the space in the stomach for torsion to occur?
I have seen the advice re the elevated bowls before, but not the weight of the dog; generally over weight Bull breeds would surely suffer for stress on the joints, which must cancel out the risk of bloat over a long period, is there any increased risk with a dog whose parent/sib bloated also, what about females who have recently whelped, are they at increased risk due to extra space being created in the gut area??
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354855 - 02/05/2012 10:15 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-09-2010
Posts: 653
Loc:
| Offline |
|
From what I've read the leaner dogs have more room for movement of the stomach.
There is also the theory that the ligaments can become stretched and no longer hold stomach in the proper position; this theory may support the increase risk with seniors, familial tendency, and females that recently whelped. Others report that the family tendency could also be related to insufficient digestive enzymes or just that the chances are so much greater for the deeper chested dogs that it appears to be herediatry.
Also the theory of the more fearful, nervous type dogs that have an increase of bloat vs the 'happier' dogs. Which I can't quite make sense in my head yet other than they tend to be leaner dogs then put a couple of the risk factors that occur together and the result may be bloat.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354856 - 02/05/2012 10:31 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 02-28-2008
Posts: 2075
Loc: Dallas, Texas
| Offline |
|
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354862 - 02/05/2012 12:42 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-17-2010
Posts: 1442
Loc: UK
| Offline |
|
Thanks for the links Joyce, I hadn't read the first two, and the link to the youtube vid of what bloat looks like has been saved in my documents, thanks again.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354871 - 02/05/2012 06:10 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
| Offline |
|
" is there any increased risk with a dog whose parent/sib bloated also"
I have read many times that a first-degree relative who has bloated greatly increases the odds (I believe the original source being Glickman's big study, started in 1998 and ended in 2004, part of which is linked by Joyce above).
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354881 - 02/05/2012 10:32 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 06-14-2002
Posts: 7417
Loc: St. Louis Mo
| Offline |
|
I've read where elevating the food dish was also found to have a higher % of bloat. It was originally though to help prevent it but that's since changed.
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: tracey holden ]
#354882 - 02/05/2012 11:13 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 05-25-2011
Posts: 439
Loc: Lawton, OK
| Offline |
|
From what studies I've read on bloat, elevating the food bowl increases the chance 110% on large breed dogs. Deep chested dogs have the greatest risk. Being a Dane owner, I've familiarized myself with bloat by a fair amount. As a preventive measure, my girl had her Gastropexy 5-6 months ago, along with her spay and hip x-rays. So far all is good. =)
Cassy & Leo enjoying a nap.
 |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Please may I have opinion on this?
[Re: Ben McDonald ]
#354887 - 02/06/2012 12:34 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-17-2010
Posts: 1442
Loc: UK
| Offline |
|
I haven't/don't feed from raised bowls, even before I got the BB's, Sugar and Kaisers mother died from bloat a short while after we brought them home, devastated all of us...
As I have said before, bloat is my bogey man 
One of their sibs had the Gastropexy proceedure and it was something I seriously considered, but because it was an elected proceedure, the price was something I simply couldn't afford.
My breeder gave us all comprehensive info on bloat with all our puppy packs, and naturally the BB community discusses it a lot, it was the thin versus the overweight dog at risk that caught my attention in the news letter particularly, as this isn't something I hadn't read before...
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
