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Canine Bloat Study 
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Michael A. Harkey
Beverly Torok-Storb
3/15/16
Bloat, known to veterinarians as gastric dilatation-volvulus (or GDV), is an acute, life-threatening condition that occurs at high frequency in many large and giant breeds of dogs. Great Danes are unusually susceptible to this condition. About 37% of Great Danes will experience bloat at some time in their life, and the majority of them will die without immediate medical intervention.Other large and giant breeds are also way too prone to this condition. Yet the causes of this condition have remained a mystery for decades. The goal of our study is to identify the causes of bloat. This information could then lead to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to minimize the occurrence of this deadly condition.
Our effort over the last two years has been supported by donations from generous pet owners who care deeply about dogs and want to find a cure for bloat. This study could not have happened without the help of all the Dane owners that enrolled their dogs, answered lots of questions, and sent samples for testing. We focused on Great Danes, because the high frequency of bloat in this breed guaranteed a large group of affected animals and increased the statistical power of the analysis. This effort has already produced results that will profoundly affect the community of Great Dane owners, who deal with this disease constantly. Hopefully, these results will soon translate to other breeds.
Importantly, bloat correlates strongly with an underlying condition of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), suggesting a possible pre-existing state in the gut that contributes to bloat.We hypothesized that, since IBD and bloat are co-existing conditions, they may have the same root causes. In both humans and dogs IBD is linked to specific genes of the immune system. It is thought that molecular variants of these genes (alleles) cause changes in the bacterial population of the gut (the gut microbiome), which in turn, sets up an unhealthy condition in the gut. This unhealthy microbiome contributes to chronic, low-level IBD. According to our hypothesis, it also predisposes a dog to bloat.While the causes of bloat are not clearly understood, several risk factors have been described in the scientific literature, including age, dietary, behavioral, pre-existing health and genetic factors. The most significant risk factors appear to be genetic, since strong correlations with bloat exist for breeds, families and gender. The best way to combine all of these factors is envision a genetic predisposition in some dogs, and a non-genetic trigger, such as stress, that sets off the bloat event.
To test this hypothesis, we enrolled two groups of Great Danes, a “bloat” group in which all members survived bloat through surgical intervention, and a “control” group that had never experienced bloat. In a genetic study, five immune genes were sequenced from each dog, looking for genetic variations that associate with bloat. In a microbiome study, the gut bacterial population of each dog was analyzed from stool samples, looking for particular species that are unusually low or high in the bloat group.
We have just submitted the genetic study to the scientific journal, PLoS one, to be reviewed for publication. We have established three genes that contribute to bloat in Great Danes. For each of these genes, several alleles (molecular variants) are found in the Great Dane population, and in other breeds. One allele from each gene was found to significantly increase the risk of bloat in Great Danes. As shown in the graph below, those Danes that carried at least one of these risk alleles had a 3-fold higher risk of bloat. In fact, 62% of the dogs carrying a risk allele had to undergo emergency surgery to survive a bloat episode. This information will be crucial for owners and breeders that are trying to decide if preventative gastropexy surgery is appropriate for their dog, or if their dog should be bred. For this reason,
we have designed genetic tests for these risk alleles. The tests will be offered to owners and breeders of Great Danes.
The second study, microbiome analysis, should be completed in the next couple of months. Since the genetic side of our hypothesis proved to be true, we have reason to expect to see specific microbiome abnormalities in the bloat group. If we do discover that bloat is caused by specific imbalances of the microbiome, then a whole array of therapeutic strategies will be available to combat the disease. For example, probiotics or specific dietary changes may be used to re-balance the microbiome, and thus, prevent bloat.
As you can see, the study has already generated some very significant results and we are excited to push forward with the next phase. We could not have done this without the generous support of our sponsors, and the efforts of all the Dane lovers who contributed their time, information and enthusiasm to this study. Thank you!!!
Many questions still remain: Will the findings for Great Danes carry over to other breeds? Are additional immune genes involved? Did we miss risk factors from very severe cases that were not survived? Will the microbiome data point to therapeutic strategies?All of these questions can be addressed in future studies, if we can find additional funding. We are asking the AKC to help us with the next phase.
For more information, contact:
Michael A. Harkey, PhD
Canine Resources Core, CCEH
Mail Stop D1-100
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Avenue North, P.O. Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
Phone: (206) 667-3369
FAX: (206) 667-5978
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This needs to be shared immediately far and wide !
FURTHER UPDATE MARCH 22:
22 March 2016 – To all those who received the manuscript on Canine bloat, I was probably premature in sending out my manuscript before it was published in PLOS one. Since it has appeared on Facebook, it may now be unpublishable by the journal. I am asking that everyone who has posted it, please take it down so that it can be properly published by a peer-reviewed Journal. The summary is fine to post, but the detailed manuscript is a problem. I realize this may be impossible at this point. Mike
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UPDATE March 22, 2016:
From the Author of the study
To all those interested in the Fred Hutchinson Canine bloat study,
Since posting the results of our genetic analysis of GDV in Great Danes, I have received an enormous flurry of email from interested dog owners. I have not been able to respond to all of you individually yet, but I will. However, one set of questions keeps coming up, and I will address them here: “ When will the genetic test be available, who will do it and how much will it cost”
We will be doing the testing ourselves for the foreseeable future. The test will involve you collecting a cheek swab (from a collection kit we send to you) and sending it back to our lab for genetic analysis. We will have a web site up for ordering tests within a month. I have put you all on my mailing list, and I will let you know when we are ready. However, these tests are expensive to run. We will be charging $325.00 per dog for the tests. Hopefully a commercial group will automate these tests in the next few years, and bring down the cost a bit.
This test has only been validated for Great Danes, and we cannot say, with confidence, that it applies to other breeds. However, we are now trying to secure the funding to expand this study to at least two other breeds. We also have plans to examine additional immune genes, in case additional risk genes are out there.
I hope this answers some of your questions. For those interested in having your Dane tested, I will send you a link to the new web site, as soon as it is active.
Please feel free to pass this information on.
Mike
Michael Alan Harkey, PhD
Clonal Tracking and Canine Resource Development
Mail Stop D1-100
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Avenue North, P.O. Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
Phone: 
(206) 667-3369
FAX: (206) 667-5978
UPDATE September 21, 2016 :
To those Great Dane owners that contributed to the Canine Bloat Study,
And to all owners, breeders and lovers of Great Danes, concerned about bloat.
We are no longer conducting genetic testing of Great Danes for predisposition to gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV or bloat). However, genetic testing is now commercially available at VetGen. They can be contacted through their web site ( https://www.vetgen.com/ ), by email (vetgen@vetgen.com) or by phone ((734) 669-8440).
Please feel free to pass this information on.
Michael Alan Harkey, PhD
Clonal Tracking and Canine Resource Development
Mail Stop D1-100
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Great Dane Gnosis 
Stress also seems to be a factor in IBS and bloat events/flares. Is this included in the study? Possibly enzyme or chemicals produced (or not produced) under stress exacerbate the situation? And again – would dietary supplements be able to offset such?
Interesting study. Are there plans for more studies along these lines to confirm results and eventually develop genetic testing?
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“(they) have designed genetic tests for these risk alleles, A second study, microbiome analysis, should be completed in the next couple of months. If (they) do discover that bloat is caused by specific imbalances of the microbiome, then a whole array of therapeutic strategies will be available to combat the disease”
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Kath , I have removed the manuscript as it turns out it shouldn’t have been published as I heard today from the authors (see update in the post) that’s why I removed the link from your comment too .
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I lost a Malamute to GDV,11 yrs.old female. I was told that stress and dry kibble, mainly all the carbos, or starch’s was the main cause, Probably. I have a Caucasian Ovcharka dog that is even bigger. This dog is feed RAW meat,organs,veg’sand oils. These dogs are LGD and in their working environment watching the sheep and goats do not have GDV problems. So I believe the answers are in the G.I. track. Just thought I would share what I have learned.
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I have to agree with Richard I have a newfoundland who bloated at six months old … she had eaten kibbles and then drank some water the kibbles expanded in her stomach … and therefore twisted it … but today she is 5 years old and I also cook my own food for her … never had any problems since …
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I lost my 13 year old male Malamute to bloat. Also had another Mal bloat at age 8 who survived. They both ate raw during their lives with us, so it doesn’t seem likely that kibble is the main or only cause. I definitely think stress is involved, although it has to be the DOG’s stress, not what the humans think of as stress. In my years of doing rescue, I noticed that all the Malamutes who bloated did so in the heat of summer and never in winter. So I think that, for Malamutes anyway, high temperature/humidity is a definite stressor.
I’m thrilled to see any sort of progress with bloat. It is an awful thing.
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I am sorry to hear about your dog. My 16 year old Husky just suffered bloat this past Sunday. She has never had any IBD issues but I suspect it was the dry kibble I fed her (she usually has home cooked food but every once in a while is fed kibble) and the speed in which she ingested them. I caught it in time, rushed her to the emergency clinic where a lavage was performed. She spent 3 days in hospital and during her stay rebloated twice. Her vet says she was stressed and panting too much, and the intake of air caused her to rebloat.
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Great comment. I lost a Dane in childhood. I now have a Weimaraner. He suffered bloat and luckily I was there to immediately intervene: he survived. But, knowing about bloat, I was very strict in the small feedings and no exercise. His bloat was nowhere near a meal, BUT during a dog playdate – which caused much excitement. Stress seems to have been the factor there.
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Does this also go along with Raw feed dogs that are a smaller breed. Labradors??
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I have an 8 year old male Dane. Over the past year, he has exhibited signs of pre bloat. I have always fed him 3 meals and for the last year give him a gas x with each meal. If he show signs of distress, I walk him and try to burp him. So far he is good. I am very interested in this study as I would like to have at least one more Dane in my future. Sincerely, Pat Cadman
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Learn the acupressure points for bloat in dogs this will help release the gas.
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Interesting study but in my opinion far too early to get excited, it would be interesting to know how many danes were used in the study.
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the study has been submitted to PloS One for publication, so all the information will be published soon. There was 81 Great Danes in the study, 39 in the GDV group and 42 in the control group.
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It has been submitted for consideration, but it has neither been peer reviewed nor accepted for publication. It is possible that the study will be rejected (most submissions to journals are rejected, after all).
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true, but I think it will go through 🙂 Just a hunch !
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They narrowed it down to 81 Great Danes, 39 in the GDV as fainomenon said. I found this an interesting study and it seems to indicate although it’s early days that stress, dry kibble, high carbs and something similar to the IBS in humans is a big factor. It sounds as if headway is being made in this very distressing bloat syndrome. I hope so.
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yes indeed how many. often not so big quantities. and what about the pedigrees? were descendants of dogs with GDV included?
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see my comment below – 81 dogs, 39 in the GDV group and 42 in the control group.
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See Above Comment. Contact Dr.Harley Immediately to Learn more & Possibly Continue adding more information!
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I will update when the paper is published in PloS One. Further questions should be addressed to Michael A. Harkey, PhD, at the above address
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I am the proud new owner of a beautiful Harlequin Great Dame. Where can I get one of the genetic tests? Will this be something I will need to go to my vet for? As he is from very large parentage, my vet and I have already discussed preventive surgery.
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see the post above to contact Michael A. Harkey, PhD (address in the post)
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Will be watching keenly having lost my first Akita to bloat 😦
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the authors mentioned that this study may apply to other breeds that suffer from this awful syndrome – sorry to hear about your dog 😦 But this study for the first time offers hope we can beat this !
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UPDATE for everyone – The authors’ note: “It also addresses a much broader emerging field of veterinary and medical science that relates a variety of health issues with the dynamic interactions of the immune system with the gut microbiome. As such,we expect a wide interdisciplinary interest in this paper.”
81 Great Danes too part in the study – 39 in the GDV group and 42 in the control group.
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Will they be addressing another potential cause that is grain based dog foods?? Grain contributes to ibs and digestive issues in people and dogs alike. This should be taken into account and do studies into the frequency of bloat on grain diets as opposed to raw diets. Also if the health of the gut micro biome is a factor then the overuse of antibiotics should also be looked into as a contributing factor.
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they set out to find if the condition has a genetic basis and the study supports that. Whatever the trigger maybe, look at the data: clearly the dogs with the risk alleles have a much higher chance of bloating – and that can’t be overlooked. Further studies I’m sure will follow.
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While under observation and tests for a bloody nasal discharge Lennon our Great Dane, age 6 bloated. Luckily I recognised the symptoms at a very early stage before bloating and he had an immediate and successful surgery. Complete Torsion was diagnosed by x-ray when he was admitted. The nasal discharge was later diagnosed from the CT scan and a full range of biopsies, to be Chronic Lymphocytic Plasmacytic Rhinitis with minor destruction of the Nasal Turbinates. A bacterial culture produced Staphylococcus and Pasteurella. He was put on Loxicom 1.5mg/ml by weight and 8 Doxycycline per day for 4 weeks. We were asked not to use any perfumed products in the home, room fragrances, perfumes, aftershaves, room sprays, hairsprays etc. He is now on 4 meals a day instead of 2. We were advised to feed grain free kibble and grain free tinned meat, we use ‘Butchers Tripe’ Lennon was on raw up until 2 years ago when he had a cervical abscess behind his throat. Now because of the slight bulge he needs to have his food made into small meatball size portions. His poo is now fully formed and a skin problem which reoccurred from time to time has cleared up.
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Thank you for posting this! I think this is a very exciting first step. As others mentioned, the sample size was not that big but you have to start somewhere – at each step they have to get funding, and now that they have these very promising results hopefully they will get more funding to expand the study further. I was fortunate to have been able to enroll 3 of my Danes in this initial study, plus I contacted the owners of several close relatives (one of which had bloated and survived, following surgery) and they enrolled their dogs too. I know other people who were able to coordinate enrollment of multiple closely related dogs – some of which had bloated, some had not – and I’m sure this not only helped with the genetic part of the study but also the microbiome part since these related dogs were being fed different things, given different meds, different exercise regimens etc. The questionnaire with the study was extensive, they asked about EVERYTHING so at least initially they were looking at many, many environmental and temperament factors.
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thanks for your input, I too can confirm that the questionnaire was very extensive and thorough.
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thank you for your feedback. By the way I love the brindle in your avatar 🙂
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Thanks, I like your dogs too, but especially those stripes! 🙂
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I have had multi Danes for many years and have at present 5 , One of which has had. Bloat 8 times in the last year. On one occasion twice in a 24 hour period has had 2 operations for it and the other episodes were luckily managed by sedation and the emptying of stomach gases , I now Manage with special food and feeding very small amounts at a time . Limiting water intake at all times as well as the no exercise b4 or after feeding.
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Could bloat also be caused by Celiac disease an autoimmune disease in humans? One of the effects of Celiac disease is bloating and as a result a distended stomach. Another correlation found with Celiac disease is IBS. Celiac disease causes damage of the small intestine which has causes the nutrients, vitamins and food not to be absorbed. I’ve seen a number of no grain and gluten free dog food coming out. Could you advise me on whether this could be a cause? I’ve lost two German Shepherds to GVD.
Thank you for your study!
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Carolyn, this is not my study, I’m only the messenger; you need to contact Michael A. Harkey, PhD (see address above) with any pertinent questions. I think you should contact your vet and draw their attention to this paper for further advise and consultation. The scientists who conducted this study are at present working on a microbiome analysis to be completed soon and I will post any updates that come my way about that. Watch this space – and thanks.
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You say your study has already produced “very significant results” & yet I see no error bars on the graph, or p-values in the text (or a graph legend).
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Dr. Buckle – it’s not ‘my study’ – I’m only a blogger! Please read the PDF file above and I’m sure you could get in touch with Michael A. Harkey, PhD at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (address details above) to discuss? The study has been submitted to PloS One and such queries should be addressed to the authors.
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Hey Maria. Lots of good information here! Glad to see you. Maybe we could catch up on FB. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Sirius About Dogs … and People.
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My beautiful and cherished Collie died from bloat–I had never heard of it and if I had, I may have been able to save her. She was very well cared for and I diligently followed the vet-recommended food, Science Diet, and now wonder if she needed a more varied diet. My ma had Collies that lived for 11-17 years and they got table scraps all the time. Gigi never had a table scrap and died at age 9.
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I am so sorry Annmarie. Hopefully this breakthrough study will be the beginning of the end of this terrible disease.
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SD is one of the worst foods on the market. There is lots of info about food on a website called caninecare(dot)org. You want to feed real food. Supermarket pet foods and most of what vets sell is all crap.
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Something else to consider, would be an nteresting side study of any correlation between the “at risk” immune gene and anatomic structural traits, such as the extreme chest depth and high cut loin.
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This is AMAZING news! I have a Labrador Retriever, Major, who will turn 7 in April (2016), he required an emergency pexy when he was just 7 months old. So, while his stomach cannot twist…he still continues to bloat daily. Most days his stomach has minimal (yet quite visible) bloating…but every few weeks or so, he will bloat so large I’m afraid his stomach will explode.
Major has suffered from IBS/D symptoms (I declined a biopsy to confirm the vet’s suspicions) and daily bloating since he was only 4 months old,and he would be considered an anxious, or nervous, dog. Major is currently part of a genetic study with Tufts University, I can only hope a “treatment” will be discovered so that my boy can finally have some relief.
I’m looking forward to reading the next update…
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I’m so happy this is happening. I have a singleton Malamute puppy. She is headed for bloat. She is 6 months and just got spayed and gastopexy (stomach tacked). I feel a little more at ease but still know it’s not 100%. This is the first dog I’ve had to do like this in fear of the bloating. She eats so fast and nothing I do slows her down. I’ve tried every dish out there.
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Hi, Nikki, it’s Lezlie! Have you tried a jelly roll pan (basically a big cookie sheet with 1-inch high sides) and throw a couple big tennis balls or big kongs in the pan with the kibble?
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You could throw away the dish and hand feed?
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Nikki – have you tried throwing away the bowl and hand feeding?
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Have you reached out to Morris Animal Foundation to help with funding ? I am so happy to hear that there might be some answers to bloat. I lost my Great Dane at 5.5 due to bloat. I have suspected for a long time it might have been genetic since he bloated multiple times even after having the “belt-loop” surgery to help prevent it.
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I will send all the suggestions to the authors of the study, I am sure they will take a lot of them on board. Thanks for your feedback and my sympathies for your Great Dane. My boy survived bloat at 3 years of age and never had another episode, he was right as rain and then I lost him last June at almost 5 and a half from cancer.
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This correlates to what I experienced with my Weimaraner. My boy never had problems with his stomach and believe me he should have. Until the manufacturer of the food, I was feeding decided to add 3 new fermentation products to their large breed formula. I had noticed all 3 of my dogs had started burping, a LOT, after eating. I should have questioned that, but didn’t. Believe me, I am still kicking myself for not. I am usually so anal about these things too. I had noticed the bag graphics had changed a bit and checked the first major ingredients, but did not look further. Now these fermentation products are actually probiotics and normally that can be a good thing. But adding 3 new ones the dogs were not adjusted to I’m not thinking they were a good thing for my dogs. They changed the formula in Sept. I bought the first bag the end of Nov. My boy bloated Dec 23rd. $6.000.00 later my boy survived and is doing well, minus his spleen and a kidney. I did contact the manufacturer of the food (Diamond ) and thTractor Supply whom sells the food under their brand 4 Health. Up until this time, my dogs were on this food for years. It is listed as a 4-star food under Dog Food Adviser. I notified them as well. I have to say they all thought I was reaching. But I KNOW WHAT I KNOW. I also talked to the surgeon about it and he said it made sense. Only because he was aware of everything I did for my dogs so I would never experience this. I just wish I could warn people. Like me, they are all under the assumption that this is a good food, and it is or was. For the life of me, I do not understand why they would add these ingredients to a LARGE BREED dog food. It baffles my mind. Even when I spoke to their company Vet. She just went on to tell me how probiotics are an improvement to the food. I understand that, but too much of anything can turn bad. In conclusion, she paid me no mind. I am paranoid now about more than I was before. I currently have them on a food that is not 4 star but 3 called Bil-Jac, but it is extruded differently. When you add water to most kibble it blows up (depending on how much) 2 and 3 times the size it was in the bag. Bil-Jac turns to mush when water is added. I’m feeding them half of that and have a mush I make out of sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas. a little apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and cooked giblets and chicken livers. I so wish that vet had paid more attn. Hey but who am I right?
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thank you for sharing your valuable experience Susan.
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Kibble, dried food what ever you want to call it.
My opinion on bloat or (GDV) is when I was studying Vet Nursing the question to my teacher was may I ask you Miss or could you please explain to me where in the wilderness do you see a Wolf, Dingo or any wild dog carrying a bag of kibble, can of food and a can opener. Please tell me Miss where on Earth can I find a Canine in the wild carry these products.
This put me in a heated debate, I won at the end canines eat raw food lots of meat products.
Kibble causes a lot of problems for canines.
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Thank you Susan! My 9 yr old Lab and 7 yr old English Mastiff were on 4 Health dry and canned food mixed 3:1 for several years. Several dog owners and our vet suggested eliminating chicken as an ingredient because both dogs were having difficulty with seasonal hot spots and dry skin. I recently gradually,switched to Costco’s Kirkland Adult Lamb Rice and Vegetable dry food. Overall, the ingredients were comparable to the .4 Health Lamb and Rice dry food that that the’d been fed , but without any added chicken and more reasonably priced per pound . I also supplement glucosomine and salmon oil. They have adjusted well to the new diet and the skin irritations were notva problem thiss past summer. .I am very interested to know which probiotic ingredients.were added to 4Health to change the formula. I don’t have an older list of ingredients to compare. I want to be sure that we aren’t headed for problems with the Kirkland food.
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The probiotics were listed as fermentation something or other. If the costco brand you switched to is made by diamond I’m guessing they are in there as well. 4 Health is also produced by Diamond. The 4 health is comprable to Taste of the wild also produced by diamond.
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My 8 plus Great Dane has been having more gas issues. It could be age but we feed him 3 times a day, 2 cups taste of wild wet with 1tbs kefer am and 1tbs of gold paste made with turmeric. The paste is to help him with arthritis and I must say that he jumps on the deck and plays in the yard. Will share if you would like or join facebook TUG group. The paste was invented by a Veterinarian and works for adults as well. Since he is 8 1/2, every day is a gift!
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Pat Cadman Oct 1, 2016- what is the FB page to find that paste?
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Tumeric User group.
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We had 2 Weimaraners. The male bloated about age 4. Fortunately saved by surgery. Our bitch bloated about the same age. However, she was pregnant and due to deliver within days. She was saved but could not save her 9 puppies. After intensive care at ER clinic we brought her home. (And delivered a healthy litter 2 years later.) Both our beloved Weims lived to be 13.
Any research into bloat is greatly needed.
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This is a very interesting study for so many reasons. I wonder how it can be applied to other/similar large breeds? I work for over 5 years in a animal shelter and we lost 2 dogs because of bloat during that time. I wish we could learn more about the stress factor because stress is very high in a shelter environment.
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Interesting study. My last irish Setter had IBD. He would bloat with out torsion frequently. He would literally blow up like a balloon just like the warning signs they talk about. After a lot of trips to the emergency room I took him to University of Ga for testing where he was diagnosed with IBD. We tacked him at less than a year old as a preventative. He was one ot the first dogs done lapriscopically. He suffered from bloating for most of his life (he lived to 11), but the tack held and he never torsioned. I found the one thing that greatly reduced the episodes was adding probiotics to his diet.
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It makes total sense that a genetic predisposition to bloat could be exacerbated by stress.
An internet friend who became a veterinary behaviorist once told me that she was convinced that stress played a part in bloat. After vet school, she worked in an animal ER and saw a good amount of bloat, even in Cocker Spaniels. In most cases the dogs had recently been boarded or were under similar stress.
This correlates with the Purdue study done long ago in which the only factor tested/observed which correlated with a lack of bloat was an easygoing disposition.
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That has been my experience as well, which I first started to observe when running a dog rescue: bloat almost always happens after stress of some sort. Stress often was extended vet visits or boarding, high temperature and humidity (especially in Northern breeds), family strife that played out in the home either vocally or physically (especially with sensitive dogs like GSDs), and if a family member the dog was exceptionally attached to was gone for an extended length of time.
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I believe that stress (and a nervous temperament) is one of the major triggers – but not the cause.
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This appears to be a promising preliminary result based on a retrospective study. I hope, though, that there are plans for a prospective study in the future to confirm and clarify the results. In addition to answering the question you mention regarding whether some risk factors were missed because only survivors of bloat surgery were included, it is important to note that some differences between the bloat survivors and those who never bloated could reflect protective factors in the survivor population that made them more likely to survive the surgery. Such factors may be totally unrelated to the risk of developing bloat, or may be bloat-related. The problem with a retrospective study is that it often mis-states the cause(s) of a problem. For example, an early retrospective study of the effects of the crack cocaine epidemic showed that the babies of crack-addicted mothers had significant developmental delays. In that study, ‘crack babies’ in inner cities (where a large concentration of such children could be found) were compared to babies whose mothers did not use crack. But later studies showed that it was only when ‘crack babies’ were raised in poverty that they evidenced these delays. Check out this link for a fuller discussion: http://nyti.ms/19zw3Zv
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I suggest giving your friend diatomaceous earth (food grade)… It’s amazing, & all natural…
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I show and rescue St. Bernards and have had several bloat ( never lost one yet ) varying ages , different foods and used all suggested methods of prevention but it still occurs . Not one of them ever had food in the stomach at the time of the bloat , My vet of 20 yrs has always said there is a genetic connection and with my experience I tend to agree . Hopefully this testing will become available for other breeds.
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My dog too…German Shepherd…no food in the stomach at the time of bloat. Torsion occurred first, then many hours later the bloat.
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I have noticed that dogs, particularly GSDs, who bloated weren’t great eaters and had frequent bouts of diarrhea.That goes along with one of the hypotheses in this article. Now to find out why the digestive process stalls and the food ferments thus filling the stomach with gas.
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The manufacturers are adding more probity listed on the label as fermentation products. I know all diamond food brands are doing this. My boy bloated on one of their foods a month after they started adding them. I only wish that I had payed more attention. I checked the main ingredients but didn’t look any further. I notified them and asked them why would they do this to a large breed formula. Their vet on staff replied we are making the food better. So please anyone that you know on these products to be aware . The brand I was feeding was 4 Health . Sold by Tractor Supply.
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Hi Susan, when did Diamond add the probiotics? Was it September 2015? I have had two dogs bloat in the past year on Kirkland Chicken & Rice which is made by Diamond. I have used this food since 2001 and did not notice the ingredients change either.
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Yes. I had noticed bag graphics had changed on a bag I bought in Nov. I checked the ingredients but just checked the main ones. I had started to notice all 3 dogs were burp ING more than normal, and that’s where I made my mistake. I didn’t check further. Dec 24 my oldest bloated. I had mentioned it to the surgeon and he said that could very well have caused it. But can not be certain. I did get in touch with Diamond. They of course said well we are making the food better. Furman tain products they use as a “probiotic” but who’s to say exactly what they are useing. It already had furmentation product in it. They added 3 new ones. Why would you add fermentation product to a large breed food is beyond me.
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I am very interested in the study as a German Shepherd owner. I lost my last GSD to bloat at 2 years old, however, what happened with her does not seem to fit the hypothesis. I am understanding that it is thought that accumulation of gases (bloating) ultimately leads to the torsion. My dog was backwards. Her first symptoms were acting strangely and dry heaving. Just spitting up. Within minutes I took her to the emergency vet (although I knew nothing about bloat). The vet did not diagnose her with GDV and sent me home like an over anxious dog mom because she showed no signs of bloating. Later inspection of records showed that he did notice an enlarged spleen, which indicated torsion had already occurred. By 4am (6 hours after our initial vet visit) she was drooling and I called the vet again, again I was told, nothing life threatening and her belly showed no signs of bloating. By 8am I went to take her to my regular vet and she looked like she was resting, but then she did not get up. At that point, I saw her belly was bloated. She survived the first surgery, and a second surgery when her stomach ruptured, but ultimately died of sepsis 10 days later. It was a truly awful experience.
I am sharing this because I really want to know why the stomach would twist before bloating. It was many hours before any bloat was evident at all and she did not show discomfort when the stomach was touched. And she did not eat a meal at all that day before the GDV symptoms began. Plus she was a very young dog. Nothing fits the usual suspects.
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what a dreadful experience. Thank you for sharing. Let’s hope we will get some answers from the continuous study.
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A few years ago, I saw a video somewhere on the internet, that showed a dog (I believe it was a Great Dane) who was having some other surgery – and during this surgery the vet actually saw torsion occurring. So that dog did not have a lot of gas in its stomach. The video showed the stomach flipping over, on its own. The “bloat” typically occurs because after torsion, the entrance and exit to the stomach are both blocked, so there is extreme gas buildup.
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I have St Bernards, and a few years ago I had 3 litter sisters and their breeder gave me their dam who was then about 9 years old, 2 of the litter sisters had bloat multiple times each, one had it again a month after the stomach surgery, in total it was 5 incidents and 4 of them occurred 2-3 hours (around 4-5 AM) after the last meal at bedtime (1-2 AM) they were fed a premium feed. The 3rd litter sister never had it, neither did their dam who lived to be almost 14. In each of the 5 instances I was home at the time and rushed the dog to the vet, the one who had it 3 times had a gastroplexy after the 1st incident, but it was clear it was going to re-occur again and again and even changing feed made no difference at all, so after the 3rd incident I had her put down, fearing the luck of being home 5 times in a row to catch this would run out and I’d be at work the next time.
I had lost a 3 year old dog a few years earlier who was from the same breeder, and she told me she had at least a couple of bloats, as well as one who died shortly after I adopted 2 of those 3 adult litter sisters, that one was from a previous litter and was 2-3 years older, so I always thought this definitely had a genetic basis to it. After all these years I sure hope this new finding is a real breakthrough!!!
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I thought I would just add a comment –
I have a Great Dane in Dr. Harkey’s study and Richard Parker, the Merlequin featured in the article above, is her son. I also have several of her sons and Richard Parkers siblings (returned/confiscated from adopters due to lack of care). On March 22, 2016, Richard Parker’s brother, had a colonic volvulus and had to have a total colectomy. He had a prophylactic gastropexy at age two (now 6 1/2). There is not much literature or experience with such an event in a gastropexied Great Dane. It took them nearly two days to diagnose. He went to three different vets – two ER vets and our own vet who sent us to one of the ER vets to have exploratory surgery. All felt he could have a foreign object / obstruction. The first ER vet gave him Barium and sent us home which could have killed him and in-fact compacted into the torsioned section so much that the colon was ready to burst and had small perforations. We thank the surgeon who had the insight to say, “now is the time to explore – if it was a foreign object it would have moved. We need to get in there to see.” Because of him, Boomer survived the ordeal after 5 days in the emergency hospital. After I insisted they remove the Fentanyl patch to see if it was causing him nausea before they inserted a feeding tube he ate on day 5 – the same day he was released.
He has had a bit of an uphill battle though. His diet will never be the same. He has lost about 15 lbs that will probably never be regained. When he was returned to us in 2011 he was approximately 40 lbs underweight. He is on a prescription diet now and has cow pie stools which is better than expelling bile which burned his butt. He no longer has anal leakage and can predict when he need to have a bowel movement.
All of this information is to warn all owner of large breed dogs with deep chests that despite gastropexy, a mesenteric (intestinal) or colonic torsion is still possible. With other dogs where the mesenteric torsion occurred, a colpopexy was performed in several places. This type of torsion is more often found in horses (not giant breed dogs – although typically coined “horses, house horses, or mini horses”).
I do believe owners will need to be more pro active and cautious with their large dogs. NO ACTIVITY AFTER MEALS OR LARGE DRINKS! Put a leash on them! It will save their lives!!!
The morning we noticed Boomer had an issue he went on his usual stroll with his pack (his 9 yr old momma, Bella, and other two brothers and litter mates, Levi and Gunther) to the cemetery on our property down a mowed lane. They do this often. He walked, sniffed and peed on his way. The pack trotted back but not Boomer, he walked back and and then threw up. This was not normal for Boomer. It was not good timing either because it was shortly after mealtime. He then sequestered himself to his room for most of the day. However his daddy didn’t tell his mommy (me) about the morning incident and his throwing up. I just saw Boomer staying in his room. But the big babies nap a good portion of the day anyway. Toward the afternoon when he vomited bile and laid down and began to shake – I called his daddy and said we must take Boomer to the Emergency Vet NOW or he will die! I knew this behavior was simply not normal for my hyperactive Boomer.
And so it goes, know your dog! I have never had a dog bloat however my friends have had 3 bloat and 2 heart conditions. I have been in the presence of ONE heart attack of a Great Dane right before my eyes and our chest compressions and artificial respiration (CPR) just keeping air in her lungs and blood pumping through her heart but her brain already gone. Now, I am more paranoid and more cautious than ever before. I am petrified too! I am a bit OCD too and feel if I have it in my power to protect these beings in my care – than I owe it to them to do so. So, I sleep lightly and put them before almost everything else since my human kids are adults now. I love my four big babies and the rest of Bella’s Baker’s Dozen! ❤
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I’ve had bloat 4 times in one Saint Bernard (Bayou) , 2 times in another (Simone), a 3rd died (Laika) from it age 3 while I was at work. All 3 were from the same breeder, Bayou and SImone were litter sisters, I had a 3rd litter sister (Iris) and their dam (Old Simone) after the breeder closed up and begged me to take her last 4 dogs but I could only take 2 of them- the 2 younger girls, (Bayou and SImone) one of the remaining 2 I learned shortly afterwards died of bloat, and I was told of another bloat death previously.
Their dam- Old Simone who lived to be 13- never had bloat, neither did Iris who lived to the age of almost 12. I also had a male (Buck) from the kennel who retired him and gave him to me when he was about 5 years old, he never had bloat and lived to about age 10.
Others died from cancers- age 5 and one from an embolism in the spine age 3-1/2
It was pretty clear there definitely is a genetic component to the bloat, other Saints I’ve had over the years have never had bloat, but that particular line seemed to be especially plagued by it, the whole experience of all that was part of my decision to look outside the USA for a puppy, which I found last January in Romania, and have another coming from them shortly.
Since my small town vet here back then was very basic, they only charged me their general surgery rate of $100/hour, the bills for the bloat surgery averaged $135 for each of the 5 surgeries, Bayou had bloat 4 times the 4th came only a month after the 3rd and she was about 12 so on the 4th incident I had her put down. 4 out of the 5 times the bloat happened around 4 or 5 AM, one in the afternoon. I was feeding premium food, changed brands, made no difference, all were fed twice a day, with the last meal at bedtime- midnight, no running around, loading up on water or anything, just went to bed and 4-5 hours later the bloat happened and I immediately recognized it and rushed them in, rolling the vet out of bed to meet me at the clinic we would work together doing the surgery.
I remember one was in such dire distress the vet had to start opening her up before the anaesthetic had her completely out, he abdomen was as tight as a drum, as soon as the incision was made in the stomach to release the pressure I was astounded how much pressure there was! kibble and fluid hit the CEILING and the wall cabinets 6 or 7 feet behind the vet!
It’s a serious emergency, I recognized the symptoms right away, but I remember getting dressed and seeing the dog’s abdomen expanding before my eyes while I’m putting my shoes on, it was like someone pumping her up with a bicycle tire pump!
With all of that clearly it was not just gulping air or whatever some claim it is, with the stomach twisted there is NO gulping of air and it would not explain how the stomach keeps rapidly expanding, no, the pressure or “air” if you will is coming from INSIDE and I have an article on some new findings in a Great Dane study that I will post next , that may have found that the cause is the gut biome.
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We lost a 4 year old Dobermann to bloat a very short while after we lost his partner a 12yr old Dobermann not to bloat. He was so devastated that I firmly believe the stress caused the bloat.
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So glad to hear of this study. GDV is horrendous – we have a small female Staffordshire Bull Terrier who experienced GDV. Thankfully the vet operated in time and she has made a full recovery. I do believe stress triggered her bloat (fence running dog next door) but do wonder the actual cause – anything that can minimise the occurence of GDV would be wonderful.
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Has it been published?
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Not yet. I will update as soon as it is.
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Please note latest update today (see the post above)
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Did the paper on Bloat by Dr Harvey get published?
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Harkey
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I don’t know. I will find out and let you know.
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Harkey
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I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thanks, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
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as often as I can – when I have time to write ! 🙂 Thanks
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that’s (good/great/wonderful), thanks for your (share/info),.. I think this is (great/amazing) blog
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thank a lot for your site it assists a whole lot.|
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I have lost German Shepherds to bloat. It’s definitely notorious in this breed. I truly believe that diet, over vaccinating, poisons in the flea preventatives, wormers, & especially stress.. Are killing our dogs. Poisons can cause extreme internal stress as well.
Just wanted to point something out? When I first met my master trainer who, is from Germany. I mentioned bloat to her. She told me they didn’t have a problem over there & had actually never heard of it until, she moved to the States. So, genetics definitely plays a big part I believe.
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And, she has never had 1 customer in her 30 year bloodline.. complain of bloat. Nor, had any cases in her breeding stock/personal dogs.
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Oh, and dogs in Germany are worked daily.. They never just sit in kennels or crates.
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