Bloat and feeding twice a day.

[GermanSheperdlover]

I found this statement and I always wondered if you should feed once or twice a day.

[DaneMama]

There is no set cause of bloat. Some think its exercise before or after eating. Some think its from eating too much. Some think that elevated feeders will help, other think the exact opposite. Some think that feeding once a day is bad, others twice a day is bad.

My point is the only way to ensure that your dog will not bloat is to get a gastropexy done. This is a surgery where the stomach is tacked to the body wall so it wont torsion and bloat. I have done it on both of my danes and will always do it on future dogs.

[SubMariner]

There is no set cause of bloat. Some think its exercise before or after eating. Some think its from eating too much. Some think that elevated feeders will help, other think the exact opposite. Some think that feeding once a day is bad, others twice a day is bad.

My point is the only way to ensure that your dog will not bloat is to get a gastropexy done. This is a surgery where the stomach is tacked to the body wall so it wont torsion and bloat. I have done it on both of my danes and will always do it on future dogs.

Do your dogs have a history of bloat, or is the GD one of the breeds that is prone to this condition?

Just wondering why you would take such drastic measures...

[DaneMama]

1 in 4 Danes on average will bloat at least once in their lifetime. That is a bit high risk for me!

So if anyone is ever interested in getting a Dane, seriously consider getting this surgery done.

Depending on what technique is used, it can cost anywhere from $500-2000. The traditional belt loop technique is what I had done at work, for super cheap because I work there.

If a dog were to bloat, almost every time they will have to do the surgery anyways to save the dog or to keep the dog from bloating again. In emergency surgery you are looking at at least $4-8K in vet bills.

So the way I see it, doing the preventative surgery saves a lot of heartache that can quite possibly happen in the future. I have personally known more Danes than I can even count who have died from GVD. We had a foster dog die just the other week from it

[SubMariner]

1 in 4 Danes on average will bloat at least once in their lifetime. That is a bit high risk for me!

So if anyone is ever interested in getting a Dane, seriously consider getting this surgery done.

Depending on what technique is used, it can cost anywhere from $500-2000. The traditional belt loop technique is what I had done at work, for super cheap because I work there.

If a dog were to bloat, almost every time they will have to do the surgery anyways to save the dog or to keep the dog from bloating again. In emergency surgery you are looking at at least $4-8K in vet bills.

So the way I see it, doing the preventative surgery saves a lot of heartache that can quite possibly happen in the future. I have personally known more Danes than I can even count who have died from GVD. We had a foster dog die just the other week from it

That is so sad.

Yes, with bloat stats like those I can see how you would want to take that step.

[spookychick13]

My doctor will do it for anyone who is spaying or neutering their dog for only $25.00 extra!

He is awesome like that.
I would do it in a heartbeat if I had a dane.
Heck I wish he would have neutered Flip, I'd have done it for him.

[Khan]

Bullmastiffs, and other Deep Chested dogs are prone to this as well. Most people that I know who have Bullies, have had it done at the time of neuter/spay. Khan is our first BM and I am trying to pro/con this. Only because I have had Rotts for the last 20yrs and never thought twice about this. They too are Deep Chested yet I've never heard so much about this as I have in the past few month with all the BM owners. As with anything, if the parents or other relatives have had it happen then the dog could be more predisposed, and from what I've heard if a dog has this trouble once, they will continue to have this trouble. Must be like once you sprain your ankle you are more susceptible to continue to injure it. I have also heard the no vigorous exercise after meals, limit water intake after meals, elevated/non-elevated feeders! Not sure if this is true/not true or adds to the cause of bloat. Again, I think just like anything you can find an argument for either side.
I will say with all the talk on the BM forums I have become overly cautious after meals. Not sure if it's warranted or not; but I remember when my mom use to tell me I had to wait an hour before swimming after lunch...LOL

[Todd]

should i look into doing this to Lucky? she's a labrador mix (probably pit or some boxer). you can take a look at her pics.

[GermanSheperdlover]

They did not say it would completly stop bloat, like a certain dog food manufacture says, they just said it was better. I am going to feed twice a day from now on, but really, I feed dry so I really just put my set amount in his bowl's twice a day. LOL, he has never left any in his bowl for later so far.

[ann g]

I have a 2 and a half yr old gsd and I feed him dry twice a day, I also dont let him run or play for at least an hour afterwards. I've heard that not only food but drinking a lot of water and then to much exercise can cause bloat but who really knows? Aren't German Shepherds great!