Tips to reduce the Risk of your Pets Health
Jobi Webb
Ever heard of canine BLOAT? Also known as gastric dilation-volvulus? Most dog owners haven’t. That’s unfortunate since it’s the number two cause of death among dogs and owners can help prevent it. BLOAT isn’t a disease your dog ‘gets’—its more a problem some dogs are more likely to suffer from than others. With BLOAT dogs’ stomachs fill with gases and are not released which causes pain and distress including shock and heart arrhythmias.
Dr. Larry Glickman at Purdue University School of Veterinarian Medicine did a study and found that the breeds predisposed to BLOAT have deep and narrow chests such as the Great Dane, Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Setter, Akita, standard Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, and Boxer. Many BLOAT sufferers are older and not overweight(not that Glickman is suggesting you fatten up your dog to prevent BLOAT. Just watch your regular weight dogs more closely). Dogs predisposed to BLOAT can increase their risk if they eat quickly, are fed only one daily meal, just dry food, or from raised feeding bowls. That’s why a feeding system such as the Ergo Systems Auto Pet Feeder that releases small amounts of food up to eight times throughout the day is ideal for your at risk dog.
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