--- In [email protected], "mjmw3" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I admit, I'm a little paranoid about this, but Hayden is a large > labradoodle, 80 pounds, with a very deep chest. > I had heard somewhere that there is a surgery that you can have done > that does something to the stomach, preventing bloat. > Am I right about this and what are the experinces of others with this > type of dog? > Thanks! > Michelle and Hayden (the labradoodle Service Dog) >
Hi Michell and Hayden, Here are some helpful links on the topic of Bloat/gastric torsion. <http://ladyr.danebytes.com/BLOAT- SIMETHICONE.htm> Also a valuable sorce of info is Linda Arndt, Canine Nutritional Consultant <http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/bloat_and_allergies.htm> I don't know how much of a concern Bloat/gastic torsion Is with our 'doodles but having bred Great Danes for over 15 years, my Husband and I had to deal with it twice as Danes are 76% more likely to get GVD than any other breed. But you're right about the large, deep chested dogs, s/a Labs and Standard Poodles. As a matter of fact, our Vet's very first bloat and torsion case right after doing his internship was a male Standard Poodle. Our first incident invovled our oldest foundation female (refuse to say the "B" word to describe any of my girls!) because both of us were at work when she bloated and torsed. It was too late by the time we got home. The window of time for treating this monster is slim, about 3 hours after onset of symtoms. Our second bout with bloat involved our Dear Sweet Petie. We were very lucky we were both home at the time and were able to react fast and get him into surgery asap. Time is of the essence and a good plan of action should be well thought out before-hand. Hopefully you'll never have to deal with it but it's important to make yourselves aware of the condition and know the signs and symtoms: swollen belly excessive drooling pale gums restlessness pacing panting eating grass like crazy nervous looking at his/her belly and/or hind end attempts at vomiting and/or pooping with no results nervous licking and yawning walks like he's walking on eggshells with arched back Know in advance expirenced surgeons/vet hospitals/vet schools in your area. Make sure they are well equiped and well versed in dealing with this type of emergency because this is VERY SERIOUS. The proceedure you're referring to is called Gastropexy or stomach tack where they tack the stomach to the adominal wall. My vet spoke of a newly developed technique called a buckle that Texas A&M has been working on. I certainly hope you never have to deal with bloat. We no longer breed Danes. We lost our last female to cancer a year ago. Sense then we've rescued a 1,1/2 year old Labradoodle called Comet (photos of our handsome guy in gallery), he is so very different from our Danes, different in a good way. Still, he's almost a year and a half and weighs 90lbs. So we're not out of the woods by far regarding Bloat/torson issues. Things to concider to help prevent the onset is feeding a good food, low in carbs. Actually a raw diet with added enzymes/good bacterias/probiotics would be ideal. I highly recommend a product called N'zymes by Biopet. Our Comet has skin/food allergies and after starting him on N'zymes granuales and Bac-Pak Plus 2 1/2 weeks ago, we can see an improvement already. <http://www.nzymes.com/> This sight has loads of info and a real eye opener regarding health issues and concerns. You might want to pick up a copy of 'Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, The Ultimate Pet Diet' by Kymythy R. Schultze, C.C.N., A.H.I. a good guild to feeding a raw, natural diet. Another thing we did with our Danes and Comet as well is feeding from elevated food bowls. Some say it helps, some say it doesn't make any difference and some even warn against it. I do apologize Michelle and to the group for such a lengthy responce but when I see the word bloat in a sentence along with dog, red lights and sirens go off in my head and a heavyness tugs at my heart. I sincerely hope you and I and everyone else never, ever has to go through that terrible ordeal. Kindest Regards, Mary and Comet Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/labradoodles/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/labradoodles/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
