RE: Bloat
Hi Anne, Your quote in your post was not mine:-) It was Ruth Reynolds comment that I highlighted in my post to address an issue related specifically to volume of food fed. The issue of volume can be equally applied to water and anyone who has taken a large draught of cold water will remember the pain in the stomach it can cause, it is all to do with weight and stress on the supporting stomach ligaments than result in torsion. You are right there are many causes of bloat and while the stomach may be empty fermentation in the gut can also result in a distended stomach ie bloat with the risk of torsion. Rose T. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: March 24, 2003 11:00 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Bloat In a message dated 03/24/2003 9:09:34 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I never feed more than four cups of food to a Berner at one time. While discussing bloat and factors that might contribute to the bloat risk, keep in mind that not all cases are directly connected to food in the stomach! Just this summer, a young female drank quite a bit of water as she was warm from an unaccustomed amount of exercise during the day; she was in a new location and very shortly, she demonstrated bloat symptoms. Fortunately, temporary veterinary care and support were immediately available and kept her alive until she was transported several miles to a surgical site where her torsion and volvulus were reduced and a gastropexy performed. It had been many hours since food had been ingested so don't get a false sense of security because your dog has an empty tummy - other factors can contribute to this deadly condition. Anne Copeland, Flash,TDI/CGC (Berner, 8 1/2 yrs.) Gypsy TDI/CGC(Rescue Cavalier,2 yrs.) BMDCSEW Tracking Test Chair/Sec. NE ILL [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ty's memorial page: http://www.geocities.com/workingyorkie/ty.html Gypsy's page:http://hometown.aol.com/annes4/Gypsy.html
RE: Bloat
Hi Carol, I feed my dogs after they have been outside to toilet and then the majority are rested for a minimum of one hour after feeding usually two, I have two dogs who are first generation bloat dogs who are rested for an extended time period. If I anticipate going out to a show or some other high potential stress environment then I feed half rations. I always put warm water to soak my kibble for ten minutes prior to feeding. I always keep in mind that I want a calm environment for feeding and dogs are as relaxed as they can be, given I have twelve Berners breakfast can be a challenge! A key to good management is low volume, you may have to increase the protein/fat of the adult dog kibble to maintain condition but this is preferable to increasing the volume beyond half a cup over the normal daily ration. Rose T.
RE: Bloat
Hi Ruth, When I feed extruded kibble, I do soak it a few minutes before feeding. I never feed more than four cups of food to a Berner at one time. Is this four cups soaked or presoaked. My bitches have two cups of presoaked kibble twice a day, I never feed more than two and half in any one meal. Perhaps with the baked Flint River the volume is not so important?? Rose T.
Re: Bloat
In a message dated 03/24/2003 9:09:34 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I never feed more than four cups of food to a Berner at one time. While discussing bloat and factors that might contribute to the bloat risk, keep in mind that not all cases are directly connected to food in the stomach! Just this summer, a young female drank quite a bit of water as she was warm from an unaccustomed amount of exercise during the day; she was in a new location and very shortly, she demonstrated bloat symptoms. Fortunately, temporary veterinary care and support were immediately available and kept her alive until she was transported several miles to a surgical site where her torsion and volvulus were reduced and a gastropexy performed. It had been many hours since food had been ingested so don't get a false sense of security because your dog has an empty tummy - other factors can contribute to this deadly condition. Anne Copeland, Flash,TDI/CGC (Berner, 8 1/2 yrs.) Gypsy TDI/CGC(Rescue Cavalier,2 yrs.) BMDCSEW Tracking Test Chair/Sec. NE ILL [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ty's memorial page: http://www.geocities.com/workingyorkie/ty.html Gypsy's page:http://hometown.aol.com/annes4/Gypsy.html
Re: Bloat
Rose, In my statement below, four cups of food is four cups of total volume including water. This includes raw, cooked, commercial diet or whatever. My kibble to water ratio regardless whether I use an extruded or baked kibble is 2:1 If the food is extruded, I allow it to swell before feeding. If baked, I'll feed it crunchy with water poured over it. My dogs really like that! I do not feed more than 4 cups prepared food (including water) at any meal and prefer to feed less if possible. If more is required to keep a dog in good condition, I'll increase the number of meals fed daily. Ruth - Original Message - From: Rose Tierney [EMAIL PROTECTED] RR) When I feed extruded kibble, I do soak it a few minutes before feeding. I never feed more than four cups of food to a Berner at one time. RT) Is this four cups soaked or presoaked. My bitches have two cups of presoaked kibble twice a day, I never feed more than two and half in any one meal. Perhaps with the baked Flint River the volume is not so important??
Re: Bloat
On Sun, 23 Mar 2003 06:31:03 -0800 Carol [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: No one has raised the issue of exercise and bloat. My vet suggested at least three hours between eating and any exercise to help prevent bloat. I was also told that soaking the kibble before eating would help. It swells in the bowl instead of the dog. What do you think?? Pat Long has an excellent article of bloat on her website I think. In it are many experiences with bloat. I know that my dogs eat in their crates on the ground and usually they are fed about 30 minutes to 1hr after they exercise. They are fed dry kibble with a spoon of canned food twice a day. In the evening I add a bit of water to their food to make a gravy not to soften the kibble. Currently all are well and there are no bloat issues. The one dog I had that did bloat did so around noon about 4 hrs after feeding and there was no exercise involved. I had come home from work and was greeted. I was on the way to run errands and took the dog. He seemed fine I went into the bank and came out and he was frothing at the mouth and his stomach was distended. We were off to the vet and he came through it all ok. Personally I think that bloat like so many other health issues we see in our dogs is one of common sense and luck working together. Susan Ablon Gweebarra BMD Balch Springs, Tx http://www.pageweb.com/gwebara
Re: bloat (food related?)
We will relate only our experience with the feeding of our dogs. We feed Flint River Ranch Kibble with a spoon of yogurt on the AM feeding, with no water added to the kibble. We used a raised dish and have done this for many years, over 18 years to be exact but just the past 5 years with Flint River Ranch Premium Pet Foods. You will receive many replies on this, many I'm sure will have links to various studies that have been done. One must do what they feel comfortable with. What works for one person will be just the opposite of what works for someone else. Ray Pat Burgett Eaglecap Bernese Talee,Lexi,,Bell, Shadow Max www.goodbernerfood.com http://users.eoni.com/~eaglecap/ Draminski Ovulation Detector Rep
