Question:
What is the best way to prevent my Doberman from getting bloat?
Answer:
Bloat, also called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), happens when the stomach enlarges and rotates on its axis due to food, liquid, and gas becoming trapped in it. It is most common in large and giant breed, deep-chested dogs.
The best way to prevent it is to have a prophylactic gastropexy; this surgery creates a permanent adhesion between the stomach and the abdominal wall, thus preventing rotation of the stomach.
Additional considerations which can be helpful:
- feed multiple smaller meals per day
- avoid exercise for at least two hours after eating
- be consistent with feeding a diet the dog digests and tolerates well
– Dr. Christine Lundy
