Bloat and feeding twice a day.

[shadowfacedanes]

Bloat is thought to be genetic. To be more specific, the propensity to bloat is thought to be genetic, meaning, if your dog comes from a line where closely related members have bloated, I would definitely consider having the gastropexy done.

Just to clear up a common misconception about gastropexy - it *WILL NOT* prevent your dog from bloating. It will, however, help to prevent the act of torsing, which is what causes the life threatening aspects of "Bloat". BUT, if the dog suffers a violent enough bout, the gastropexy can actually be undone during the process. It's not common if the veterinarian is using one of the more up to date styles of gastropexy, but it has happened.

My dane is gastropexied. It's a peace of mind, but not a 100% fool proof insurance policy that she will never bloat and torse again. It does mean, however, that if she begins exhibiting signs of bloat, I have more of a chance to get her to the E-vet in time before more catastrophic things can occur.

Also - I would never feed large bloat prone dogs one large meal rather than two or three smaller meals per day when feeding kibble. While there is no scientific data to prove it, I just feel like all that kibble sitting around in the gut waiting to digest is asking for trouble.

Food for thought...my dane ate two meals a day with a snack of some sort mid-day. The day she bloated, it was well over 10 hours since she had eaten her morning meal. She had not exercised heavily, she had not gulped anything. She just started showing the classic signs of bloat in the middle of a potty break. She was in the full stages of torsing within 15 minutes of the first symptom. We will never know why. It's a horrible thing to live through.

Another piece of advice (just because I can't stop rambling lol)...I would never ever ever let a veterinarian who is not experienced with the procedure perform a gastropexy on my dogs. Ever. I've seen danes with botched gastropexies and it's just horrible. Make sure if you have the procedure done, you use a vet who has done many, and is up to date with the newest techniques.

Sorry for the rambling. Bloat unfortunately is a subject I know more than I want to know about.

[DaneMama]

The fact that your Dane bloated so long after all of the typical culprits (eating, drinking and exercising) further promotes the idea that bloat is totally random. I have known Danes to bloat without anything in their stomach. I personally believe that stress is the biggest factor in contributing to dogs bloating.

And you're right bloat is genetic, but not through specific genes or lines but conformation and body shape/structure. ALL Danes are at risk, but more generally large or giant breed dogs that have very deep chests are at the most risk. There is a predisposition associated with these shapes of dogs.

I will do a gastropexy on every Dane I ever own. They are known to fail, but that failure rate is FAR lower than the chances of a Dane bloating without the surgery.

[SaltyDog]

I feed three smaller meals a day rather than two larger ones.

I'm also trying to get away from kibble.

[buddy97]

how about just feeding two meals a day for the sake of your dog not having to wait 24 hours between meals.....that doesnt sound like something i would be willing to do..