Post by Aussienot on May 20, 2005 17:56:27 GMT -5
Canine Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)
School of Veterinary Medicine
Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs
Study conducted by Lawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH; Nita W. Glickman, MS, MPH; Diana B. Schellenberg, MS; Malathi Raghavan, DVM, MS; Tana Lee, BA - Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1243
Summary of findings (references 1 & 2) -
A 5-year prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence and non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in 1,914 dogs from 11 large- and giant-breed to assess current recommendations to prevent GDV. During the study, 21 (2.4%) and 20 (2.7%) of the large and giant breed dogs, respectively, had at least 1 episode of GDV per year of observation and 29.6% of these dogs died.
Factors that were associated with an increased incidence of GDV:
School of Veterinary Medicine
Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs
Study conducted by Lawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH; Nita W. Glickman, MS, MPH; Diana B. Schellenberg, MS; Malathi Raghavan, DVM, MS; Tana Lee, BA - Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1243
Summary of findings (references 1 & 2) -
A 5-year prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence and non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in 1,914 dogs from 11 large- and giant-breed to assess current recommendations to prevent GDV. During the study, 21 (2.4%) and 20 (2.7%) of the large and giant breed dogs, respectively, had at least 1 episode of GDV per year of observation and 29.6% of these dogs died.
Factors that were associated with an increased incidence of GDV:
- Increasing age
- Increasing thorax depth to width ratio
- having a first degree relative with a history of GDV
- a fast speed of eating
- using a raised feed bowl
Table 1 summarizes the magnitude and direction of GDV risk associated with having each of these factors. The relative risk (RR) indicates the likelihood of developing the disease in the exposed group (risk factor present) relative to those who are not exposed (risk factor absent). For example, a dog with a first degree relative with a history of GDV is 1.63 times (63%) more likely to develop GDV than a dog without a history of GDV. As another example, if dog A is a year older than dog B, then dog A is 1.20 times (20%) more likely to develop GDV than dog B.
Chest depth/width ratio (range 1.0 to 2.4)
Relative Risk - 2.7
Interpretor-170% increase in risk for each unit increase in chest depth/width ratio
Using a raised feed bowl (yes vs. no)
Relative Risk-2.10
Interpretor-110% increase in risk associated with using a raised food bowl
First degree relative with GSD (yes vs no)
Relative Risk - 1.63
Interpretor-63% increase in risk associated with having a first degree relative with GDV
Age in years
Relative Risk - 1.2
interpretor 20% increase in risk for each year increase in age
Speed of eating (1-10 scale)
[for Large dogs only]
Relative Risk-1.15
Interpretor-15% increase in risk for each unit increase in speed of eating score for large dogs
Most of the popular methods currently recommended to prevent GDV did not appear to be effective, and one of these, raising the feed bowl, may actually be detrimental in the breeds studied.In order to decrease the incidence of GDV, we suggest that dogs having a first degree relative with a history of GDV should not be bred.Prophylactic gastropexy appears indicated for breeds at the highest risk of GDV, such as the Great Dane.
My thoughts - As an owner, you can't do much about advancing age, and if you want a deep-chested breed, that's not preventable either. But certainly you can ask your breeder and steer away from dogs that have a family history of bloat. And don't raise your food bowls.