Bloat Again... - Page 1

Question:  Would you breed a dog(male, 20 months) who has had bloat?  I believe that he bloated from one of two reasons:

1)  Either he had a reaction to his heartworm prevention(possible seizure) and then had a "panic attack" sucking in air.

2)  I have a bitch in heat in the house, and quiet possibly he and my other male dog got into a "arguement" through their crates, and over excitement caused sucking of air.

He had eaten some breakfast in his crate(8am, 1 cup grain free food), and then was given Sentinal(happened on the first of May, the day I give heartworm prevention, yes he has had HW prevention in past.  This was a brandnew box, unopened, all dogs treated, no reactions from anyone else)  I went to work, came home around 3, and he was sick.  I work for a vet, so I called, took him in, again, not twisted.  Tubed him, got gas out, gave reglan, tagament(injections), and such.  Brought home, and burped him throughout the night.

This dog did not have full torsion, only gas.  It was relieved with tubing him and burping him. 

I have a friend who is concerned that he may pass on the tendency to bloat to his puppies.

While I understand that some breeds are prone to bloat, can it be passed on in lines?  Does anyone have any studies or references on that? 

I wouldn't breed a 20 month old dog, period. Luckily you have another 4 months to research bloat and get the dog's OFA. I would probably base my decision on the dog's other attributes.

I personally have no idea whether tendency to bloat can be genetic. I suppose if a particular body type, for example, a longer midsection, would make a dog more prone to bloat, then of course structure is genetic. This is of course all hypothetical on my part, so I'd love to see some responces from people who have studied it more thoroughly.

He hasn't been bred yet....but I am curious, if he is an import, A stamped, and titled, why wouldn't you breed him?  Personally I don't think that the OFA is the end all of end alls.

Not trying to start a fight...but just trying to understand why everyone in the states is insistant that you must re-exray an import just to OFA him/her.

 thedogtrainer is someone who can justify anything apparently. Your explanation of the incident is absolutely ridiculous. Why come here and ask for opinions when you already have your mind made up? And what does he have to contribute, other than to your pocket book? He is too young to breed and given a serious incident like this, reputable breeders would not be making excuses as to what happened and realize that regardless of the fact that no one knows for sure why bloat occurs, at the bottom line, EVERYTHING short of injury (or sucking air LOL) is genetic. If you breed him, be sure to tell prospective pup buyers that their father bloated at a young age. See how many suckers you can talk into buying a dog with that type of history in the sire.

It is common practice not to breed a male or female until they reach the age of 2 years old, this allows the dog to completely mature.  Also if you are having such a problem with bloating try getting some conklin fastrack canine gel it helps with gas problems and digestion. If your dog gets this problem mix some baking soda in water and have him drink 10 - 20 cc and then he will throw it up and you should see a big improvement in a matter of a few minutes. If you are feeding dry food try wetting it. We put hot water on our food not enough to make it mushy just enough to give it a moist texture. A dog's in nature would not consume dry food it would consume meat.

I hope this will help.

  If you think bloat is not genetically based,  you are only kidding yourself. There are a number of "families" that have documented cases of Grt.Grandsire, Grandsire, and son, dying from the exact same thing, bloat.  Does that not tell you anything?

Don't try to kid yourself and make excuses to breed this dog and continue to perpetuate the problem.. Thats not helping the breed.

I know that bloat is typical in some breeds....but some breeds it isn't.  So, is there any reference/studies done on the genetics that would suggest that it is hereditary?  I would like to see some studies to that effect.

However, if it can be proven to me that this could be passed on to progeny, then he will be neutered and placed in a pet home.  But, only if it can be proven to me by documented case studies, or from some vets. Anecdotal information isn't good enough.

thedogtrainer,

Bloat is "Typical" in GSDs in case that fact had passed you by. Since you are the one likely do disregard whatever anyone says, why don't YOU go do some reading yourself or go talk to a group of vets (none of whom are likely to know a lot about genetics in GSDs anyway) and not waste time here. Like many health problems in GSDs, until multiple scientific studies can be done, no one can prove anything. But common sense should prevail. It is a well known fact that bloat is not uncommon in GSDs. That should be all you need to make a proper decision. It is no different than breed a dog one knows to have pannus at an early age. Do you think one should do that simply because there is no "proof" it is genetic?

I know that bloat is typical in some breeds....but some breeds it isn't.  So, is there any reference/studies done on the genetics that would suggest that it is hereditary?  I would like to see some studies to that effect.

However, if it can be proven to me that this could be passed on to progeny, then he will be neutered and placed in a pet home.  But, only if it can be proven to me by documented case studies, or from some vets. Anecdotal information isn't good enough.

It appears that you are looking for the answer you want to hear to make yourself comfortable with breeding a young dog that has already had a problem with bloat.  I think you're looking for someone, anyone to tell you there is absolutely nothing to indicate bloat is genetic.  You're gonna get different opinnions on this from different people.  Studies have been done, but different medical experts have different thoughts on it.  I myself personally feel it can be genetic and also can just happen environmentally BUT either way it's not a good thing to take a chance on reproducing IF in fact you're dog has a gentic problem you may not be aware of.  Perhaps research his history to begin you're own study.  It's not worth taking a chance that your dog may pass this on to it's offspring.  Just had a friend barely keep her 6yr old Great Dane alive from Bloat and it cost her about $4500.  She's convinced it was a genetic reason this happend as she has always been very careful when it came to bloat because her breed is prone to it.  If you're looking for a guarantee so you can have the blessing to breed this dog I don't think anyone is gonna give that to you; at least not in writting.