Bloat..one reason - Page 2

In comparison...A horse that is provided the best hay money can buy will scratch with their hooves to dig root and eat it if they are allowed to do so.They intinctively know what they need.Just one example.If there are poisonous plants//trees ect Most people discard/kill them to ensure that their horse never eats them.When all the while..the horse would probably eat around them.This is true with gsds as well.Tiger201uk...Your vet is very correct...and Vickie just  continue to let your dogs enjoy.A migrating bird probably did some droppings and something grew.My point being in ref to bloat is that the majority do not let their animals decide what they need because they are not free enough for a study to begin and whom would support it?This thread is not a joke Just Lurkin and there is no mis-information being given.You can take it or leave it or just Lurk.haha.

Ok now I understand the thread. Yes you are right about a study being done on domestic dogs if they were allowed to roam free to eat whatever they wanted or needed. Too expensive. I am still on the fence about what causes bloat.

I trully dont think it is a genetic problem.Its good that some folks are pursueing the DNA markers.But an addtional study would have to be done as well into the enviroment//feed program..exercise program to support.A study as well of the stress of the individual and how it is handled by that individual.A study of feces and odor as well..consistency of bowel movement.A study of the smell of the individuals breath as well any odor from the individuals coat.Comparitive x-rays of each individual starting with the esophogaus(sp) to the stomach..intestines and colon...per structure of the individual...and recorded.DNA markers is just the tip of an iceburg.The recording of Hip results are as well with OFA etc.At the very least there is some recording...but without a doubt I know all of this is useless.Show dogs are surgically altered and most working dogs are bred  for a trophy..as wellThe genetic pool of dogs on both faces have let down the GSD and the future of the breed.Bloat is a gastric problem..refer above.I commend those that aid the gsd to help them...with their problems sourced upon over breeding...of one genetic pool which results in a hell day for structure etc.Glad that they are aiding in helping gsds just able to walk with the help of prosthesis(sp).Here are the bare facts.If your dogs arent experiencing any type of gas build up which causes the stomach to flip...and they are happy and enjoy what they are doing..Just continue on with what you are doing for them and with them.

Maybe slow motility, anatomy, environment the list goes on.

I am not a vet , but I  suspect if food does not move out the gut it sits and ferments, this causes gas build up, I have seen some dogs normally go potty in the morning , from a meal they had early afternoon the day before, this sends alarm bells as all this has sat in the gut overnight longer than 12 hrs, and obviously not being digested, I think feeding twice daily helps encourage the elimination process, food should not sit for any length of time in the gut, good fibre in the diet for dogs who may be prone to this could help prevent it. It can be a silent killer in kennel dogs that do not have a lot of human contact as a swollen stomach could be easily overlooked, so kennelling is a big no no for me as well, heard of a few that died in the kennel from this. The ones saved from bloat very few,  were due to the owners diligence.JMHO

Thank you.This may sound a bit off the wall.But in order to understand the digestive of a dog or a horse.You have to step into their plate of survival...and what is given to them because they are domesticated.This holds well with any type of training as well.