BLOAT (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
Larry Glickman VMD, PhD

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus is a syndrome caused by rapid accumulation of air (not gas as previously thought) in the stomach which can lead to a twisting of the stomach, shock and death. Fifteen to twenty five percent of affected dogs will die despite aggressive medical treatment and surgery. Before 1960, this condition was almost unknown, since that time the incidence has risen 1500%!!!

Purdue University did a five year prospective study on bloat which finished up in March of this year. Measurements and information was collected on 200 show dogs (Akita, Bloodhound, Collie, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Standard Poodle and Weimaraner). Only dogs who had never bloated were accepted into the study and then these dogs were followed up for five years to collect information on the factors that lead to increased risk of bloat. The incidence was found to be 5.7% overall with Great Danes having the greatest chance of bloating at 15.7%.

Factors which were found to increase the risk of bloating included:

  1. Increased age
  2. Large or giant breed
  3. Having a first degree relative who had bloated (offspring 4 times the risk, sibling 3 times, parent 1.5)
  4. Increased speed of eating
  5. Deep, narrow thorax
  6. Underweight
  7. Fewer meals per day
  8. Fearful, easily upset

Factors which did NOT appear to influence the risk despite the conventional wisdom:

  1. Moistening food
  2. Exercise near mealtime
  3. Raising the food bowl
  4. Change of weather
  5. Stress

The one factor that was consistently associated with a lower risk of bloat was having a personality that the owner described as "Happy"!

Preliminary results showed that restricting water intake and exercise actually resulted in an increased incidence of bloat as did the use of antigas and gastric motility medications. This information may be biased by people taking these precautions with dogs that were considered very high risk.

Current recommendations to decrease the incidence of bloat:

  1. Don't breed if a first degree relative has bloated
  2. Gastropexy and neuter for high risk dogs
  3. Feed multiple meals each day
  4. Reduce rapid eating
  5. Consider behavior modifications for fearful, anxious individuals.