Gastric volvulus, gastric dilation or bloat is a condition in dogs where the stomach becomes stretched with large amounts of food and gas and begins to twist on itself, cutting off vital blood supply to the small and large intestines. This condition is excruciating for the dog and is a life-threatening condition requiring surgical intervention within minutes of onset, before damage occurs to the digestive tract.
History
Bloat can occur in any breed of dog, regardless of age, sex or other health conditions, though certain breeds seem to be more susceptible to the condition, such as Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes and Irish Wolfhounds. Large and giant breeds seem to be represented in bloat statistics more often than medium to toy breeds.
Causes
The original cause of bloat is thought to be overfeeding of particularly sensitive breeds, though it has been determined that the amount of food required to cause this devastating condition is much more than any dog would consume in one sitting. Later, it was determined that specific dog food ingredients contribute to the disease, including grains such as corn and wheat, and other fillers.
Dog Digestive Needs
Dogs, by nature, are omnivores, but require large amounts of protein in order to maintain proper digestive health. Until recently, many commercially prepared dog foods contained high amounts of grain and other less expensive fillers. Scientific research has proven that large amounts of protein are required to maintain a dog's health and prevent bloat.
Considerations
Dog foods with higher concentrations of grains over protein have been thought to cause gastric dilation in dogs through the absorption of excessive amounts of water upon re-hydration. Dog foods with large amounts of fillers or other bi-products tend to cause bloat.
Prevention/Solution
Choose a high-quality dog food with the protein source listed as one of the first three ingredients. This is especially recommended for dogs that are particularly sensitive to bloat. If your dog is particularly susceptible to bloat, it may be advisable to make your dog's food at home, using premium protein sources and less fillers.
Homemade Solution
Create a balanced homemade dog food by cooking ground chicken or turkey and mixing it with brown rice, a few choice vegetables that the dog will tolerate (such as peas, carrots and potatoes) and oatmeal. This combination will provide a healthy diet for your dog and reduce his chances at developing bloat. Another suggestion is to raise the level of your dog's food bowl so there is less chance of him swallowing large amounts of air as he eats.
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