From: Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca (Valaria Vorlop)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Feeding frequency for large dogs
Date: 15 Oct 92 02:09:42 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada

Lynette Lewis writes:

>I have a (Rhodesian) Ridgeback bitch who is 15 months old now.  She used to
>eat twice a day, but I switched her to once a day (in the mornings) a month
>ago. However, I recently heard a vet claiming that it can be quite
>dangerous to feed a large dog only once a day, especially if they eat dry
>food pellets.  The reason apparently is that because they eat so much at
>one time, the stomach may actually twist around when excessive or sudden
>movements occur shortly after feeding.

Large dogs are often prone to a condition called bloat in which the stomach
swells with trapped gas. In a more severe case the stomach may twist making
it even MORE serious because the dog will need surgery to fix the stomach
and get the gas out. This condition is known as torsion. A dog will die
from bloat or torsion in a VERY short time if the gas is not released. I
have heard of dogs dying within an hour after showing signs of bloat. If you
suspect your dog has bloat, don't hesitate taking it to the vet.

There are things you can do to help avoid bloat. Feeding two smaller meals
rather than one meal can help because the stomach will be less heavy and
less likely to twist around if the dog jumps about. I personally feed my
dobie only once a day, but I soak his dry pellets in warm water until they
are fully expanded, about 1/2 hour. This can help prevent bloat since it
prevents the food from expanding inside the stomach which may cause the
release of gasses. It also makes the food more palatable if you have a
picky eater.

Another thing which can help prevent bloat or torsion is to keep the dog
quiet after meals. I do not allow my dog any strenuous exercise until
several hours after he eats. Also, since dogs often develop bloat a short
while after eating, I do not feed my dog before I go out...if I have to go
out soon I make sure he's eaten 1/2 an hour before I leave the house so I
can check on him before I go. Often I'll just skip his regular feeding time
and make him wait 'til I come home for good, giving him just a handfull of
food or a couple cookies to tide him over.

Signs of bloat, as listed on page 46 of Emergency First Aid For Dogs,
published by Home Library are:

Excessive drooling, pacing and agitation, enlarged abdomen, frequent
attempts to vomit producing large amounts of white foam or nothing at all.

****

There may also be pain if the abdomen is pressed and if the dog is becoming
shocky, the gums may appear pale.

Incidentally, I've heard of a home remedy for bloat (but not torsion!) and
I wonder if anybody has any feedback on it. It involves the insertion of a
length of plasic tubing through the dog's mouth and into the stomach. A
syringe is attached to the free end of the tube and maalox (an antacid
liquid) is pumped into the dog. It is supposed to break up the bubbles and
allow the dog to vomit and clear the stomach. Once the dog has vomited
successfully he is out of danger. Apparently some vets will actually sell a
'bloat kit' to breeders who ask for it so that they can treat their own
dogs even sooner than they could get them to the vet. Anybody have any
experience with this?
--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Valaria_Vorlop@mindlink.bc.ca    I cried because I had no shoes
or:      a4080@mindlink.bc.ca         Until I met a man who had no feet.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                          - ???
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs