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REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE AKC GAZETTE (OCTOBER 2004) Research Discovers New Risk Factors for GDV A recent study out of Purdue University, as well as an upcoming article in a veterinary peer-review journal, is shedding more light on gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), otherwise known as bloat. GDV is the second leading cause of death in large-breed (50 to 99 pounds) and giant-breed (100 pounds and over) dogs. Approximately one in four large breed dogs, and one in five giant breed dogs, may develop GDV during their lifetime, with some breeds at even higher lifetime risk. GDV strikes suddenly and has a mortality rate as high as 30 percent. The findings were first discussed as part of the highlights from ongoing studies as presented at the 22nd annual American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine forum, held in Minneapolis, June 9-12. (See "Healthy Dog," September 2004 AKC Gazette.) In GDV there is a rapid accumulation of air in the stomach, causing distention and often rotation of the stomach, cutting off blood supply at both ends and causing the dog to go into shock. GDV is an acute emergency and rushing the dog to immediate veterinary care is essential. Research primarily at Purdue University by Dr. Larry Glickman (an AKC Excellence in Canine Research Award winner), and Dr. Malathi Raghavan, has identified a number of feeding management and dietary factors that increase the risk of GDV. These include eating only one meal a day, feeding only dry dog food, feeding food with only small particles, and feeding a large volume of food per meal. Other feeding factors found to increase the risk of GDV were eating rapidly, increased physical activity before and after eating, restricting a dog's water intake before and after eating, moistening dry food before feeding, and eating from a raised feeding bowl. The latest research Recent research not yet published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Journal of the American Hospital Association has shown an increased risk of GDV in dogs who consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients, and an increased risk in dogs who consumed dry foods listing citric acid as a preservative-with this risk rising when foods with citric acid were moistened. Although not statistically significant, researchers found that a modest increase in risk of GDV was seen with the consumption of dry foods that listed more than one corn ingredient among the first four label ingredients, while in contrast, a pattern was observed of decreased GDV risk with an increasing number of protein ingredients of animal origin, including beef, poultry, lamb, and fish among the first four ingredients. Based on all of the GDV research to date, recommendations for owners of large and giant breed dogs include: * Feed two or more meals a day. * Feed no more than one cup per 33 pounds of body weight per meal when feeding two meals a day. * Feed an energy-dense diet to reduce volume, but avoid a diet where a high amount of calories are from fats. *Feed a variety of different food types regularly. The inclusion of human foods in a primarily dry dog food diet was associated with a 59 percent decreased risk of GDV, while inclusion of canned pet foods was associated with a 28 percent decreased risk. * When feeding dry food, also include foods with sufficient amounts of meats and meat meals, for example: beef, lamb, poultry, and fish. * Feed a food with larger particles and include larger pieces of meats in the diet. * Avoid moistening dry foods. * If your dog eats rapidly, find ways to try to reduce you dog's speed of eating. * Avoid raising the food bowl-place it at ground level. * Try to minimize stress for your dog. Stressful events have been reported to be precipitating factors in GDV occurrence. * Restrict vigorous exercise one hour before and two hours after meals. * When you are not in close proximity to your dogs use a baby monitor to alert you if your dog is in distress. * Learn to recognize signs of GDV, which include pacing and restlessness, head turning to look at the abdomen, distention of the abdomen, rapid shallow breathing, nonproductive attempts at vomiting, and salivation. These symptoms can progress rapidly to shock and death. Get to your veterinarian or emergency hospital the moment you suspect GDV. * Gastropexy (surgery to prevent future torsion of the stomach) at the time of surgical correction of GDV is recommended to prevent or minimize GDV reoccurrence. * Discuss with your veterinarian the benefits and costs involved with a prophylactic gastropexy before your dog ever experiences GDV. * If you live far from veterinary care, have your veterinarian instruct you in first-aid measures to help your distressed dog while en route to the veterinary hospital. * Avoid breeding dogs who have had GDV. The risk of a dog developing GDV increases with advancing age. Other factors that increase a dog's risk are having a first-generation relative (parent, sibling, or offspring) with a history of GDV, having a deep and narrow chest or abdomen, being thin, experiencing a major health problem before age 1, and having a fearful or nervous temperament. Following these recommendations can help you decrease the risk of GDV ever occurring in your dogs. -Dyann S. Rivkin Dyann Rivkin is a writer and television/video producer who lives in Nashville with her 14-year-old daughter and her Irish Setters. -- Visit us @ www.gr8dane.net Breeding for health ,longevity. temperment and outstanding structure soundness. Harlequin, Mantle, Blue, Black. 720-260-2735 |