Bloat (GDV) Study
Study
on multiple causes of bloat was started in about 1998 and ended in
2004. These are highlights:
Nutrient Intake and
Bloat
CONTENTS OF FOOD AND BLOAT
Malathi Raghavan, DVM,
MS; Lawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH; Nita W.Glickman, MS, MPH; Diana
B. Schellenberg*,
Dietary risk factors for gastric
dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in dogs were identified using a nested
case-control study. Of 1991 dogs from 11 large- and giant-breeds in a
previous prospective study of GDV, 106 dogs that developed GDV were
selected as cases while 212 remaining dogs were randomly selected as
controls. A complete profile of nutrient intake was constructed for
each dog based on owner-reported information, published references
and nutrient databases. Potential risk factors were examined for a
significant relationship with GDV risk using unconditional logistic
regression.
The study confirmed previous reports
of increased risks of GDV associated with increasing age, having a
first-degree relative with GDV, and having a raised food bowl. New
significant findings included a 2.7-fold (or 170%) increased risk of
GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first
four ingredients.
The risk of GDV was increased
4.2-fold (or 320%) in dogs that consumed dry foods containing citric
acid that were also moistened prior to feeding by owners. Dry foods
containing a rendered meat meal with bone among the first four
ingredients significantly GDV risk by 53.0%.
Approximately 30% of all cases of GDV in this study could be
attributed to consumption of dry foods containing fat among their
first four ingredients, while 32% could be attributed to consumption
of owner-moistened dry foods that also contained citric acid. These
findings can be used by owners to reduce their dogs' risk of GDV.
This manuscript has been accepted for publication in the
Journal of the Animal Hospital Association.
Diet-Related Risk Factors for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs of
High-Risk Breeds
FINDINGS: VOLUME OF FOOD FED Malathi
Raghavan, DVM, PhD Nita Glickman, MS, MPH George McCabe, PhDGary
Lantz, DVMLawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH
From the
Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology, (Raghavan, N. Glickman, L.
Glickman), Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Lantz), and Statistics
(McCabe),Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2027.
A nested case-control study was conducted among 1634 dogs with
complete diet information in a 5-year prospective study to determine
diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
Cases included 106 dogs that developed GDV; controls included 212
dogs without GDV that were frequency matched to cases by year of GDV
onset.
Proportionate energy consumed from major food
types and from carbohydrates was determined. Dogs were categorized as
consuming either a low volume or high volume of food based on the
median number of cups of food fed per kg of body weight per meal.
Dogs fed a larger volume of food per meal were at a significantly
increased risk of GDV, regardless of the number of meals fed
daily.
For both large-and giant-breed dogs, the risk of
GDV was highest for dogs fed a larger volume of food once daily.
This
is from 2002 and is still current:A Review S. Greene
For over 30 years breeders and owners of Standard Poodles have been
concerned about reducing their dogs' risk of bloat. Here's some
generalized information to help you understand new information
learned from a Purdue University Bloat (Gastric Dilation - Torsion
Complex)
The term "Bloat" refers to any of
three conditions:
Acute gastric dilation
Torsion
Volvus
Bloat also known as the
overfeeding or overeating syndrome, involves a swelling up of the
stomach from gas, fluid or both (acute gastric dilation). Once
distended, the stomach may twist abruptly on the long axis. If it
does twist, but the twist is 180 degree or less, it is called a
torsion. A twist greater than 180 degrees is called a
volvulus.
Signs and Symptoms of Non-Torsion Bloat -
Acute Gastric Dilation The signs are excessive salivation and
drooling, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit or pass stool
and evidence of abdominal pain - the dog whines and groans when you
push on the stomach wall. The abdomen will be istended. If your dog
can belch or vomit, quite likely the condition is not caused by a
twist. You must take the dog to a veterinarian where a long
rubber or plastic stomach tube will be passed into the stomach. If
there is a rush of air from the tube, the swelling in the abdomen
will subside and there is almost immediate relief.
Signs and Symptoms of Torsion or Volvulus - A LIFE AND DEATH
SITUATION
The initial signs are those of acute gastric
dilation, except the distress is more marked. The dog breathes
rapidly, has cold and pale mouth membranes and may even collapse. The
shock-like signs are caused by strangulation of the blood supply to
the stomach and the spleen in torsion or volvulus, a tube cannot be
passed into the stomach. The only treatment is IMMEDIATE surgery and
you must rush the dog to closest veterinary surgeon.
Preventing Bloat - The Purdue University Study
Many
measures have been recommended and tried, but-until recently there
has been little scientific evidence that any worked. Now, thanks to
the Purdue University Bloat Study that picture is starting to change.
Supported by grants from the American Kennel Club's Canine Health
Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation and 11 parent breed clubs,
including the Poodle Club of America, this five-year
prospective study is the first of its kind. And it is yielding
information on what breeders and owners should and shouldn't do to
reduce Standard Poodles risk of bloat.
The Purdue
researchers, led by veterinarian and epidemiologist Dr. Lawrence T.
Glickman, have thus far issued two reports of their findings, both
published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association. The more recent of the two, which appeared in
the November 15, 2000, issue of JAVMA, contains findings that should
cause Standard Poodle breeders and owners to step back and re-think
bloat prevention information.
One of the more important
findings was that there are significant differences between the
"large breeds" studied (Akita, Bloodhound, Collie,Irish
Setter, Rottweiler, Standard Poodle and Weimaraner) and the "giant
breeds" studied (Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland and
Saint Bernard).
The results reported here apply to the
"large breeds" only, e.g. our Standard Poodles
Old
Thoughts: What We Used to Think About Bloat Over the years, breeders,
owners and veterinarians have developed a body of lore about what
causes bloat and how it can be prevented. Here are some of those
things which we now know are correct, i.e. bloat is caused by too
much exercise on a full stomach. Overloading the stomach. Swallowing
air when eating. We used to think that bloat could be prevented
or reduced by Wetting dry kibble so that it won't swell in the
stomach. Raising the food dish above floor level. Weight,
breed size, the ratio of the depth of the thorax to its width and
stress were not significantly associated with the risk of bloat in
large breed dogs. In addition, several measures that have long been
recommended to reduce the risk of bloat were found to have no
effect.
Factors That Make Difference - These measures,
long been thought to reduce the risk of bloat, were found to have no
effect:
Restricting exercise before or after eating
Restricting water intake before and/or after meals
Feeding
two or more meals per day
Moistening dry kibble before
feeding
Factors That DO Make A Difference
These
four (4) factors ARE associated with an increased risk of bloat in
large breed dogs
1)Raising the food dish more than
doubled the risk for bloat
2)Speed of eating -Dogs rated by
their owners as very fast eaters had a 38% increased risk of bloat
3)Age: The study found that risk increased by 20% with each year of
age. Owners should be more alert to early signs of bloat as their
dogs grow older.
4)Family History: Having a first-degree
relative (parent, sibling or offspring) that had bloated increased a
dog's risk by 63%.
Conclusions
The Purdue
research team concluded these are the things you can do to prevent
bloat:
The strongest recommendation to prevent GVD
(bloat) should be to not breed a dog that has a first degree relative
that has had bloat. This places a special responsibility on an owner
to inform the breeder should their dog bloat.
1)Do not
raise the feeding dish
2)SLOW the dog's speed of eating.
A
future report from the research team will provide data on dietary
factors and how they may or may not be associated with bloat risk
References: 1. http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm 2.Glickman LT,
Glickman NW, Schellenberg, DB, et al. Non-dietary risk factors for
gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs. 3.Dog
Owner's Home
Veterinary Handbook, Delbert G. Carlson,
DVM and James M. Giffin, MD
