Bloat in Dogs
Preventing Bloat in Dogs
You can reduce your dog's chances of bloat by eliminating some of his risk factors. Feed him smaller, more-frequent meals; don't allow him to exercise immediately after meals; incorporate moist or canned food into his diet; prevent him from drinking large amounts of water at once; and try to reduce his overall stress.
To slow down his eating, you might want to purchase a feeding bowl that keeps him from devouring the food so quickly. There are a number of products on the market designed for this purpose, and while they offer no guarantees to prevent bloat, they can help slow down rapid eaters. Researchers have also found that lowering your dog's food and water bowls may help prevent bloat.
A final measure is preventive gastropexy. If you have a dog at considerably high risk for bloat, such as a Great Dane, then it will keep him from developing it. However, because any surgery can carry risks, you should consult with your veterinarian about whether or not the procedure is a good idea for your dog.
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http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-bloat.aspx
DogTime. "Dog Bloat." (May 12, 2011)
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Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Pérez CM, Schellenberg DB and Lantz GC. "Analysis of risk factors for gastric dilatation and dilatation-volvulus in dogs." Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. May 1994. (May 12, 2011)
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Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Schellenberg DB, Simpson K and Lantz GC. "Multiple risk factors for the gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome in dogs: a practitioner/owner case-control study." Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. May-June 1997 (May 12, 2011)
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Merck Veterinary Manual. "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)." (May 12, 2011)
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/23305.htm
Nash, Holly. "Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) in Dogs." PetEducation, Doctors Foster and Smith. (May 12, 2011)
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=402
Primovic, Debra. "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)." PetPlace. (May 12, 2011)
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/gastric-dilatation-volvulus/page1.aspx
Ward MP, Patronek GJ and Glickman LT. "Benefits of prophylactic gastropexy for dogs at risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus." Preventive Veterinary Medicine. September 2003 (May 12, 2011)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12941556
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