I just read an article in an AKC Gazette magazine I saw which was written by a vet. It said in order to prevent bloat, to put your dogs bowl on the floor to eat. If you raise the bowl off the floor, it can contribute to bloat. I've put the dog bowls, including water, higher up so it's easier. Does anyone have any info on this. They also said not to add water or wet to the dry; adding wet is the only way to get mine to eat the dry.
How do I prevent bloat?
- Thread starter Barb04
- Start date
The night Shiva got a case of gas I did a panicked night of bloat research and found several articles that agreed on keeping the dog's dish on the ground rather than raised. There was a ton of information. I'll see if I can't dig it back up and post the links for you.
One really helpful thing I got from it was that you can give a gassy dog (when they look like they're getting distended from gas) an anti-gas simethicone capsule (like Phazyme). I gave Shiva one, then followed it up in a half hour with another and patted her (like you'd burp a baby) until she belched a few times - and farted like a foghorn.
Also, don't let them play hard immediately after eating; at least fifteen or twenty minutes of being quiet is best.
One really helpful thing I got from it was that you can give a gassy dog (when they look like they're getting distended from gas) an anti-gas simethicone capsule (like Phazyme). I gave Shiva one, then followed it up in a half hour with another and patted her (like you'd burp a baby) until she belched a few times - and farted like a foghorn.
Also, don't let them play hard immediately after eating; at least fifteen or twenty minutes of being quiet is best.
I've also seen the articles stating that raised food bowls contribute to bloat, but Duke's food bowl is still raised. When it's on the ground, he literally inhales the food. He coughs and throws some of the food back up, so I figured for his individual situation, raised is better. He still does cough and puke every now and then, but not almost daily like he use to. I don't have his water bowl raised though.
There are those who fed raised and have never had a dog bloat, those that did, those that feed on the floor and have had a dog bloat, and those that haven't. Raised bowls may contribute to the possibility, but I think there are so many other things that can contribute to it also. I wouldn't say it's entirely circumstantial, but more based on the individual factors of a particular dog.
There are those who fed raised and have never had a dog bloat, those that did, those that feed on the floor and have had a dog bloat, and those that haven't. Raised bowls may contribute to the possibility, but I think there are so many other things that can contribute to it also. I wouldn't say it's entirely circumstantial, but more based on the individual factors of a particular dog.
I've read no exercise for 1 hour which I try to do. Sometimes Max keeps scratching at the door; if I ignore him for a bit he will usually lie down but not always. The bowl on the floor seems to be the way vets are going with advice. I'm not sure if putting it on the floor with a door that's 33" at the withers is a good idea since he would have to bend over a lot. Maybe raising it a little would be good?
Barb,
I am a Veternarian Technician and we do suggest that you try to fit the individual dogs needs an extremly tall dog may require a raised bowl or a dog like Duke that chokes on his food when the bowls are on the floor he would also require a raised bowl I have three deep chested dogs Dobes and one eats off the floor and the other two eat out of raised dishes one because he chokes like Duke and the other because he has had neck problems the main thing is try not to let your dogs exercise after feeding like an hour is good and the othe thing is that Phayzyme may prevent bloat and I do say may if it is going to happen its going to happen the best advice I can give is that you just watch your dogs very carefully after feeding time and if you see any signs that suggest bloat get your dog to the vet immediatly it may be the only way to save your dog
Renee,
I didn't mean to sound standoffish but a couple of weeks ago we did have a dog come in with bloat and they did try a gas reliveing med but it didn't work and the dog died even after exstensive surgery
I am a Veternarian Technician and we do suggest that you try to fit the individual dogs needs an extremly tall dog may require a raised bowl or a dog like Duke that chokes on his food when the bowls are on the floor he would also require a raised bowl I have three deep chested dogs Dobes and one eats off the floor and the other two eat out of raised dishes one because he chokes like Duke and the other because he has had neck problems the main thing is try not to let your dogs exercise after feeding like an hour is good and the othe thing is that Phayzyme may prevent bloat and I do say may if it is going to happen its going to happen the best advice I can give is that you just watch your dogs very carefully after feeding time and if you see any signs that suggest bloat get your dog to the vet immediatly it may be the only way to save your dog
Renee,
I didn't mean to sound standoffish but a couple of weeks ago we did have a dog come in with bloat and they did try a gas reliveing med but it didn't work and the dog died even after exstensive surgery
This is a subject I have had to unfortunately deal with twice. The first time was a number of years ago with my 10 yo great dane. He ate from a raised dish and he wasn't a dog that gobbled up his food and due to his age he wasn't real active after eating. He had been to the vet 2 wks earlier & the vet was amazed at how healthy he was at his age. One day I came home from work to find that he had passed. In checking the vet determined that it was bloat.
About 2 years ago my standard poodle, Farley, who was 3 yo at the time, was acting strange in the morning when I got up. Nothing I could put my finger on other than being a totally "velcro" dog more than normal and just not acting right. I called the vet & made an appt. for later that day. After a couple of hrs I was steadily getting more uneasy as he wasn't acting any better but not any worse either. I called the vet & said we were on our way then. After a complete physical exam they couldn't find anything. He wasn't retching nor was his belly distended, no panting, no drooling, etc. It was only when they took xrays that it showed up & at that point he had a torsion & was in emergency surgery. Luckily he pulled through & today is healthy & happy. I free feed and fill the bowls in the AM and it literally takes him until 8-9 PM to finish his food. Needless to say since it started in the middle of the nite it wasn't that he had had alot of exercise after eating.
The only thing I have determined after talking to every vet I have ever met is that there are a variety of opinions on the causes and best ways to prevent it - it depends on which study someone choses to believe. I have heard raised feeders, non-raised, dry food, dry kibble moistened with water, etc. The only consistent recommendation from all has been no exercise after eating or drinking alot of water. It mainly affects deep-chested dogs but small breeds are not immune. I hope I never have another experience with this dreaded ailment.
About 2 years ago my standard poodle, Farley, who was 3 yo at the time, was acting strange in the morning when I got up. Nothing I could put my finger on other than being a totally "velcro" dog more than normal and just not acting right. I called the vet & made an appt. for later that day. After a couple of hrs I was steadily getting more uneasy as he wasn't acting any better but not any worse either. I called the vet & said we were on our way then. After a complete physical exam they couldn't find anything. He wasn't retching nor was his belly distended, no panting, no drooling, etc. It was only when they took xrays that it showed up & at that point he had a torsion & was in emergency surgery. Luckily he pulled through & today is healthy & happy. I free feed and fill the bowls in the AM and it literally takes him until 8-9 PM to finish his food. Needless to say since it started in the middle of the nite it wasn't that he had had alot of exercise after eating.
The only thing I have determined after talking to every vet I have ever met is that there are a variety of opinions on the causes and best ways to prevent it - it depends on which study someone choses to believe. I have heard raised feeders, non-raised, dry food, dry kibble moistened with water, etc. The only consistent recommendation from all has been no exercise after eating or drinking alot of water. It mainly affects deep-chested dogs but small breeds are not immune. I hope I never have another experience with this dreaded ailment.
Wow....I actually read that it was best to raise the dish for a german shepard to prevent problems ....as they are prone to this. I haven't raised Hamlin's dish as of yet, tho.....now I don't think I will. He never gobbles food and they both like to snooze after a meal. It's amazing the conflicting information out there....guess that's why you just have to keep researching. 
I would think it more comfortable for the dog to eat if the dish wasn't on the floor.....course at my house they both chew with their mouths open, while calmly gawking all around......so food ends up all over the floor anyway....NO manners here. lol
I would think it more comfortable for the dog to eat if the dish wasn't on the floor.....course at my house they both chew with their mouths open, while calmly gawking all around......so food ends up all over the floor anyway....NO manners here. lol
Oh, you're so right on that. Simethicone isn't a miracle producing quick fix; it's just a good tool. Bloat is such a nebulous problem, and tragically, you can't always save a dog with bloat - no matter how quickly you react.
Shiva's a pig-dog, trying to eat the majority of her food, then noodge Kharma out of hers while she's still got most of it left, so she ends up with a gassy belly. Honestly, I've never had to deal with a dog like her! I've put the kiebosh on that little habit by putting Shiva in the laundry room to eat and it's slowed both of the girls down. Bimmer refuses to be rushed. If only my girls were more like him - in several ways!
Shiva's a pig-dog, trying to eat the majority of her food, then noodge Kharma out of hers while she's still got most of it left, so she ends up with a gassy belly. Honestly, I've never had to deal with a dog like her! I've put the kiebosh on that little habit by putting Shiva in the laundry room to eat and it's slowed both of the girls down. Bimmer refuses to be rushed. If only my girls were more like him - in several ways!
Hmm...that's interesting. I've been feeding my pups all once a day for awhile but maybe I should start feeding them twice a day and just cutting their food in half. I, also, have Mack's food in a raised feeder, maybe I should feed him on the ground from now on as well. Wow, do I still have a lot to learn about dogs!
Here is an interesting article for you to read
http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/bloat_and_allergies.htm
For myself, my Rottweiler has bloated 3 times. What I have done to prevent further bloating is: I always water down her food and add canned food, I try to feed as many raw/home prepared meals as possible, I found out that she has a food intolerance to any kibble foods containing turkey or chicken...so I never give her these foods...I could give her one kibble meal containing turkey or chicken which includes Innova and EVO...she bloated twice on those foods, only in kibble form, never had a problem feeding these same proteins raw. I watch for any signs of bloating and I always have nux vomica 30C pellets on hand....they work wonders for a dog at the first signs of bloating. I make sure that her feeding times are as stressfree as possible...having 5 dogs I make sure she has her own stress free eating area. I found some stress triggers in her life and eliminated them...during the day when I am at work I put her in my outdoor kennel...I found putting up blinders so she cannot view the road has helped ease her stress immensely! people don't realize how stress can really trigger bloating in our dogs...what may not seem stressful for us can be very stressful for our dogs. I also did elevate her bowl. I exercise her as soon as I come home, feed her then exercise her again before going to bed that would be 2 hours after eating. I make sure she has plenty water available during the day, if she happens to drink too much before meal time I delay feeding time.
I found the above has helped me immensely. She has not bloated for many months. What brought on her bloating? I believe it was due to my purchasing a new home and moving...this was her stress trigger in the beginning.
http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/bloat_and_allergies.htm
For myself, my Rottweiler has bloated 3 times. What I have done to prevent further bloating is: I always water down her food and add canned food, I try to feed as many raw/home prepared meals as possible, I found out that she has a food intolerance to any kibble foods containing turkey or chicken...so I never give her these foods...I could give her one kibble meal containing turkey or chicken which includes Innova and EVO...she bloated twice on those foods, only in kibble form, never had a problem feeding these same proteins raw. I watch for any signs of bloating and I always have nux vomica 30C pellets on hand....they work wonders for a dog at the first signs of bloating. I make sure that her feeding times are as stressfree as possible...having 5 dogs I make sure she has her own stress free eating area. I found some stress triggers in her life and eliminated them...during the day when I am at work I put her in my outdoor kennel...I found putting up blinders so she cannot view the road has helped ease her stress immensely! people don't realize how stress can really trigger bloating in our dogs...what may not seem stressful for us can be very stressful for our dogs. I also did elevate her bowl. I exercise her as soon as I come home, feed her then exercise her again before going to bed that would be 2 hours after eating. I make sure she has plenty water available during the day, if she happens to drink too much before meal time I delay feeding time.
I found the above has helped me immensely. She has not bloated for many months. What brought on her bloating? I believe it was due to my purchasing a new home and moving...this was her stress trigger in the beginning.
Linda Arndt (Great Dane Lady) has a library of good articles about bloat. Thanks for posting the link to her site, Athe.
Shiva started to blow up a couple of times when she was still on the regular Innova. You'd have laughed at how panicked I got. I gave her Phazyme capsules and sat there and patted her like you would burp a baby, all the while trying to impress upon Charley that it could be serious. You should have heard the belching she did! And I just bragged on her like crazy from sheer relief after each one.
For weeks after ward, anytime she had to belch she'd come over and stand in front of me and look deep into my eyes, then open her mouth and let it fly . . . Lovely, lol!
Once I went ahead and did the switch to EVO and started enforcing a rest period after meals she stopped completely. Not even a tiny little poot, lmao!
Shiva started to blow up a couple of times when she was still on the regular Innova. You'd have laughed at how panicked I got. I gave her Phazyme capsules and sat there and patted her like you would burp a baby, all the while trying to impress upon Charley that it could be serious. You should have heard the belching she did! And I just bragged on her like crazy from sheer relief after each one.
For weeks after ward, anytime she had to belch she'd come over and stand in front of me and look deep into my eyes, then open her mouth and let it fly . . . Lovely, lol!
Once I went ahead and did the switch to EVO and started enforcing a rest period after meals she stopped completely. Not even a tiny little poot, lmao!