Bloat in large breed dogs?

Question

Bloat in large breed dogs. Is this hereditary or something that can just happen. Is there any preventatives?

Answer 1

My son has an 8 month old great dane. His vet and breeder suggested surgery. I hope this helps to answer your question.

Here's a link: http://www.greatdanerescueinc.com/bloat.html

Answer 2

There is some theory showing it does seem to run in some lines, but it hasn't been totally proven.

As of right now there is no 100% known cause of bloat, merely a lot of speculation.

Some ideas for possibly preventing:
don't allow a dog to consume large amounts of water right after eating,
no hard exercise 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating
feed from raised dishes
avoid gassy foods,
There are other things but these are the main things

Answer 3

Not knowing too much information on the dog, there can be many reasons. Large breeds, if they eat too quickly, can turn their stomachs, resulting in a bloated stomach. Worms cause this in the first stage, but then they become really skinny the more progressed the worms are in their system. Heartworms also cause the stomach to extend.

Answer 4

Thinks that increase the Risk of Bloating
1.Feeding only one meal a day
2.Having closely related family members with a history of bloat
3.Eating rapidly
4.Being thin or underweight
5.Fearful or anxious temperment
Male dogs are more likely to bloat than females
Older dogs (7 - 12 years) were the highest risk group

Things that can reduce the Risk of Bloat
1.Inclusion of canned dog food in the diet
2.Inclusion of table scraps in the diet
3.Happy or easy-going temperment
4.Eating 2 or more meals per day

Answer 5

Both. Common types of "preventatives" are to limit meal size and limit activity level just after eating as well as limiting "tanking up" (drinking too much water at a time).

There has been some success with giving Gas-X if the stomach has not yet torsioned.

Answer 6

Bloat happens when a dog eats well then drinks a lot after that. the water soaks the ingested food dog food swells up inside the dog causeing bloat. it is not hereditary adn you can prevent it by serving premoistened food.

Answer 7

Here is some good information on bloat:
http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm

Answer 8

NOT feeding crap commercial food from a bag.
Thanks to the "experts" for the rating!
Obviously, you know more than I do :)))