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GREATDANELADY.COM Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant Email:  |
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Bloat and Torsion in my Pet |
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When this article gets reprinted as a hard copy, the links are lost.
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Introduction to Bloat and Torsion: I would like to take a look at the potential role diets can play
in this condition. I refer to these as two separate issues because
we can have bloat without torsion, as well as spleen torsion without
any bloating or stomach torsion. The topic of bloat and/or torsion conjures up a multitude of feelings for any individual who has had first hand experience with this condition. The feelings of frustration and helplessness are only compounded by the fact that there has been no valid research information, on the cause or prevention of this condition. The Purdue Bloat Study is very misleading to lay individuals because it presents itself as scientific research, when in fact it is only statistical research. The information about bloat at the Purdue website was not what we refer to, in academic communities, as peer evaluated. The problem is the average dog owner does not know this and then believes the information put out on the internet as science and truth. For a further explanation of the validity of this research, read my article on the Purdue paper. Debunking Myths on Dog Bloat and TorsionOver the years we have heard "theories" about the cause of bloat, and the internet has helped to keep these myths/ theories alive and well in 2007. We have been told to watch the excessive consumption of water, particularly after exercise, to me this is just common sense, after all we do not jog or swim after a full meal. Then we were told to soak food before feeding to see if it swells, which we now know is wrong because soaking actually destroy nutrients and swelling has NOTHING to do with bloat. Then we have the controversy over the use of saponines in beet pulp (Beet Pulp Myth) which is not based in any research and was generated by a dog food company in the 1970's. Of course there is the theory of pelletized foods vs baked foods, and the absolutely ludicrous issue of citric acid and raised dishes, NONE of which are the cause of bloat! I would like to offer another common sense, logical explanation for this condition called Bloat. I do not want to compare what happens in livestock to what happens in dogs (omnivore vs carnivore), but there is a similarity and what is common in both situations, is "the environment of the gut". For the past 30 years research has been looking at this condition, as well as other health issues, through old paradigms and with no input from the professional breeders and their practical experience and knowledge. In spite of the thousands of dollars donated to the Morris Foundation, we are no further ahead in solving these problems and have no credible information. I believe there needs to be a dialogue between the research and professional breeders in order to solve the origin of this problem. Gathering data by university research people, after a dog has bloated, really does little in addressing the cause or prevention and thus calls for a more creative approach to solving these dreaded condition. It has been my ongoing personal investigation into diseases and conditions
that can be reversed, improved through good nutritional practices
or actually caused by poor nutrition, that has led me to question
our approach to bloat and torsion. It is important to understand what
I am about to discuss is only my opinion, based on 35 years of experience
in this breed, personal nutritional investigation, feed trials and
information on health issues shared by researchers, nutritionists,
chemists and thousands of other breeders who have shared their stories. THE CHANGING FACE OF THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY It has been my experience that the number of incidents of bloat-torsion
have dropped dramatically over the past few years, due to better quality
meat based foods and the incorporation of whole fresh foods, dietary
enzymes and probiotics and digestive enzymes into the diet.
(Blackwatch Feed Programs) Also breeders in particular use
antibiotics judiciously instead of using them on their dogs at the
drop of a hat. The pet owners holds them accountable for the 3,000+ dogs and cats
that died because of this current food recall. Companies to date have
lost over $40K in sales as pet owners scramble to find a good product
for their dogs/cats. I thought the industry would do a better job
after the Diamond food recalls in 2006 and a few years before Nature's
Variety (normally a good food) also suffered a hit in the market due
to dogs dying of mycotoxins. A few human grade manufacturing plants
upgraded equipment and scrutinized their products even more by testing
their incoming ingredients and the foods after processing. BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT I lost my first Dane to bloat/torsion 34 years ago and it changed my life and the way I view these dogs. I now realize they are extremely fragile and every day with us is a gift. I have learned to love the breed as a whole because of this fragility and not a day goes by that I don't think about bloat and torsion especially when I leave the house. My whole life's schedule is geared around my dogs and would not think of traveling to a dog show without a bloat kit. (To purchase a bloat kit call "The Farmacy" 1-800-733-4981.) It is not news that most breeders and research people believe these diseases have multi-factorial causes and triggered by stress:
I would like to list some other elements, seldom considered, that need to be addressed as potential factors in the cause of these diseases: - Toxic Gut Syndrome and Leaky Gut Syndrome
It is my opinion the disease of bloat/torsion manifests itself when the animal is under stress due to many factors. Sometimes the stress is external and obvious and other times it is internal and goes unnoticed. Bloat and torsion may appear to be triggered by one event when in reality it is a condition that has been building due to a number of circumstances. I believe the disease is multi-factored and is in response to a deterioration of a total system affected by environmental, dietary, psychological, physiological factors. These factors, singly or in combination, cause excessive wear on an animal's system, changes the pH balance and can encourage pathogenic bacteria and yeast fungus overgrowth in the gut causing bloat. It can alter the body's electrical and chemical balance which under the right conditions will cause gas buildup in the stomach which can lead to bloat and later torsion. It is important to look at solving this problem from a holistic viewpoint. Instead of looking for a single cause for these diseases, like excessive water intake or the size of the animal's chest, citric acid in food or elevated dog dishes we must understand the total picture. "The parts are not greater than the whole". Stress and the Effect on Bloat and TorsionStress drastically affects the body chemistry of any living organism and it alters the pH balance of the system. I believe this is an important factor in the cause of bloat and torsion. There has certainly been enough scientific research done to prove when an organism responds in a negative way to stress. The results can be detrimental to one's health and well-being. Stress is not this "thing" out there lurking. Stress in itself does not exist. Stress is the way the way in which an organism (you, me, the dogs)
responds to certain situations or stimulus. Some of us and some dogs,
due to genetics, body chemistry, nutrition and personality, seem to
handle negative stress better than others. But as humans we can make
a conscious choice as to how we are going to handle and reduce stress
from our daily lives (exercise, diet, meditation, crying). But for
our animals, this is an area seldom considered. Recognizing stress
as a problem and altering their situation is determined only by how
in tuned we are to their needs. FACTORS WE NEED TO CONSIDER: Diet is the biggest factor and I will address this last. You need to know of other factors that effect the pH of the gut and overall health. Environment We remove these animals from their natural environment, bring them into our homes as a family member and alter their life style to fit ours. (Yes, my grandma's dog loves to be covered up with my good down comforter.) These are some of the areas in which animals may respond in a stressful manner because of being subjected to certain conditions that are not really suited for four legged friends: sudden changes in diet after being fed the same thing daily; use and overuse of antibiotics; emotional trauma; psychological stress; ingestion of chemicals in food or water (chlorine, preservatives, nitrites, etc.); pollution; excessive noise; travel; boarding; breeding; showing; shipping; changes in environment; exposure to continual artificial light; disease; excessive inoculations; medications; loss/death or abandonment; and personal changes in their habits such as removal or changes in crates, toys, feeding stations, family upheaval and various other changes too numerous to mention. Some animals are able to handle stressful situations while others are not and I suspect the animal who is hypersensitive and internalizes stress is a primary candidate for bloat and torsion. If our animals are able to "work" or to "function" in a more natural way, and this means exercise and not being caged or kenneled the majority of their lives, this would help expend pent up energy and to manage stress. Genetics When we limit our gene pool to specific kennel names, bloodlines, color families as well as remaining within each specific breed, this prevents us from maintaining hybrid vigor. It maximizes our chances for doubling on negative traits with the increased potential for animals that are more sensitive to stimulus (light, sound, movement) and affect the total physiological system (body functions) and their psychological system (mental/behavioral functions). Temperament The reliable correct and stable temperament of our breed is something we must guard closely. Because breeders tend to breed for that "up" dog with an edge, we are also making an animal that is more prone to noise, light, movement sensitivity, dog aggressiveness and appetite problems in this breed. I believe it is imperative that we choose only temperamentally sound animals for breeding stock in order to increase our chances of producing generations of animals that are more stable, trainable, reliable, intelligent and above all flexible and able to handle stress. Younger breeders need to look at the whole picture and realize they may have to undo, for the sake of the breed, what breeders of my generation have done for the sake of the show ring. Temperament - Rescue Dogs All too often dogs come into rescue situations in such bad conditions
that it is difficult to even assess their actual temperament. They
are usually riddled with parasites, giardia, skin and immune problems
an hyperactive due to systemic
yeast problems and malnutrition and are prime
candidates for bloat. Electrical Short Circuit? Could torsion be the result of an electrical problem within the body?
Let's consider this possibility. First of all, 95% of the body's activities
are run by minerals. As you sit there reading this article, you exude
11 million kilowatt hours per pound (some of us more) and if they
could harness us we could fuel a large industrial city for a week!
Minerals are what spark our body's electrons and they are absolutely
critical in the diet because they affect the electrical impulses and
the body chemistry. Minerals are what effect the electrical/metabolic
impulses and the body chemistry. As owners, we are told to feed our
animals the same processed, prepackaged food day in and day out. At the date of this writing, I can count on two fingers the number of companies that put microminerals/trace minerals in their foods. It is amazing to me that in 2007 - NO ONE has address this critical need. Wonder why there are so many growth and thyroid issues? How about Cushings and Addisions disease, why 15 years ago you NEVER heard of it, now it is common place. When macro minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium etc) are considered important in a diet, why aren't the micro-minerals in a food when it take microminerals to make the macro minerals be absorbed properly! They effect the immune system, growth and so many other factors. We have to include them in the diet of our dogs and ourselves. I use a liquid ionic product called Spark of Life - drops on their food daily or Source - a powder of multiple blue green algaes that corrects these missing dietary components. Those that use raw diets or homemade diets must include these in your program as well. Dietary Concerns As humans, we also have choices when it comes to our dietary needs. We attend to those cravings and fulfill our dietary needs, unlike the dogs who are relegated to a boring diet of processed dead foods day in and day out for their entire life. They seldom have access to a variety of foods in order to compensate for nutrients lacking in a diet - especially dietary enzymes (Nzymes), probiotics and digestive enzymes. The idea of feeding real foods either in part or whole has not been considered to have value except in the past 10 years. Diet and its effect on bloat and torsion is the main focus of this article. The processed "grain based" utilitarian or grocery store commercial foods are an area I will continue to address as a cause for many of our current health problems. The commercial dog food industry is relatively young and has developed because of a financial need to utilize foods that are substandard for human consumption. Over 25+ years ago Eagle Pet foods and Dr. Wysong's line of foods represent two of the first commercial pet foods that focused on actual quality nutrition. In the past 10 years we have seen the tremendous growth of new holistic and natural dog foods on the market, this is a remarkable option for our pets and we are seeing the difference in their wellness and longevity. The research done by F. Pottenger, M.D. in his book "The Pottenger's Cats - A Study in Nutrition" is a fascinating look at a controlled study of cats fed raw versus cooked foods. This study detailed clinical and pathological findings in cats as well as humans which provided convincing evidence that processed foods are a modern day villain. The book includes several photos of animals and human dentition (teeth), showing the actual difference in those eating a modern processed diet to those of isolated cultures where whole raw foods are the natural diet. There are actual physical changes in jaw structure with teeth overlapping and decay present in individuals raised on modern processed diets. I believe there is a direct correlation
between the lack of whole, fresh, raw foods, probiotics, enzymes (dietary
& digestive) and microminerals in our animals' diet, and the problems
of bloat, torsion, disease, short life span, fertility and numerous
degenerative diseases. There are a handful of commercial dog food companies that are visionary
and are working to add back to the diet those important missing components.
I commend the Eagle,
Wysong, Innova, Precise,
Nature's Variety and several raw companies (Nature's Variety Prairie,
Oma's Pride, Bravo, Steve's and more), who have worked to incorporate
some of these "life supporting" missing components into
their products and pride themselves in working with professional breeders
in the improvement of these feeds. The Biggest Part of the Solution: Your Dog's DietIn my previous article "Whole Food For Disease Prevention", I addressed the way in which I have incorporated whole food nutrients into the diet without changing the protein/calorie content or disrupting the balance of the commercial food. For the past 20 years I use the following products in to help accomplish this goal. It allows me to fill in the potential holes in the diet with a minimum of effort.
Optional:
Note, if you are using the joint supplement Flexicose or Liquid Health Level 5000 you do not need to supplement any more MSM, both products have ample amounts of MSM a part of the supplement. Here is the complete Blackwatch
Feed Program for Large/Giant Breed Adults Part of the Solution: Sulfur/Microminerals I want to focus on the element of sulfur for a moment because I am astonished no one has looked at this potential connection to the problem of torsion. Sulfur is one of these critical nutrients yet is almost discounted by dog food companies, nutritionists and veterinarians. I believe nutritional sulfur, which can be obtained in a product called MSM, and the micronutrient minerals from Source or Spark of Life may very well play an important role in the prevention of bloat and torsion. There may be a possible connection between bloat and torsion and inadequate amounts of or an absence of sulfur and micronutrients in the processed canine diet. This one mineral, sulfur, is of such great importance in body electricity and chemistry that I feel it is an important piece to this whole picture. Most dog foods are low or absent in sulfur content in the nutritional assay and if they do put it back in the food it is in as an amino acid supplementation. This mineral is really given no importance in light of the whole health picture yet here is some information about sulfur you will find very interesting. Sulfur is a mineral and has the same toxicity as water. There is
practically no research done on sulfur and nothing is assigned as
minimum or maximum requirements by nutritional standards. The National
Research Council (NRC) and AFFCO does not even list it as a nutritional
requirement for the dogs/cats. You will not find sulfur in the vitamins
you purchase either. Sulfur is fragile and lost during heat and processing. - electrical impulses Now if that isn't enough, where do you think sulfur is normally found in abundant quantities ... in raw meat! Yes, you heard me right, raw meat. Sulfur is found in protein containing foods and in eggs, green vegetables, cereal grasses (barley, wheat, rye, grasses), alfalfa and fresh grasses (like the ones they tend to graze on in the yard, crab grass and young ragweed leaves, seaweeds and algae), all things missing from most commercial diets. Another interesting fact, nutritional sulfur (MSM) is used in horses to correct epiphyiutis, their equivalent to H.O.D. in over-fed yearlings, as well as in spondolysis and nutritional wobblers. Previously I discussed my recent experience working with another breeder and using MSM on a young puppy with wobbler-like symptoms (see wobblers feed program at website). They saw a considerable improvement in just a few days. Example: It was explained to me that farm animals bloat when they consume a diet too rich in nitrogen in relation to the amount of sulfur in their diet. Grains/cereal products are high in nitrogen and ferment quickly and raw meats are high in sulfur. Consider this: - Why were the cases of bloat more frequent 10-15 years ago, when most of the foods were grain based? I believe we see less bloat and torsion this past decade is because dog food companies are improving the foods by going to a meat-based food. The old-timers will remember one particular "yellow" grain based food, the one that went in "yellow" and came out "yellow", and seemed to sour and ferment within a matter of minutes if left standing with water on the food. The better companies also go to the added expense of using a Probiotics - Digestive Enzyme combination. Part of the Solution: Probiotics/Digestive EnzymesProbiotic (pro-life) are microorganisms and probiotics are the opposite of antibiotics (anti-life). Over time man and microbes have reached an intricate state of coexistence on this planet and on and in our bodies. In fact, all warm-blooded animals are profoundly dependent on the microbial world. Despite the inclination to regard microorganisms as the enemy, the essential truth is the majority of these "life forms" favor cohabitation and cooperation, not conflict. While some microorganisms (bacteria) are bad or "pathogenic bacteria", other microorganisms are considered good bacteria and play a very beneficial role in maintaining health, particularly in the digestive tract and by boosting the immune system. These good bacteria also inhibit bad bacteria growth and decreasing the amount of time necessary for recovery from disease. These good bacteria are called probiotics. These are some examples of common probiotics found to enhance health and nutrition - there are many that are beneficial! - Lactobacillus acidophilus I believe we will soon see a decrease in the excessive use of antibiotics which tend to be non-selective and kill both bad and good bacteria. Those of you who have had fever blisters, cold sores, diarrhea, or yeast infections after antibiotic therapy no doubt experienced this problem. Using probiotics simultaneously with antibiotics and continuing to use them for at least a week to ten days after you have run your course of antibiotics will help to reestablish the system with beneficial bacteria and can help prevent or lessen the time in which you have these negative effects from antibiotics. One current example of this particular use of probiotics (good bacteria) in fighting pathogenic (bad) bacteria was that of the E. coli scare from the "Jack-in-the-box" food poisoning incident in California. Some of the individuals were given a very high powered "probiotic" (BacPakPlus) in order to fight off the potential effects of the deadly bad bacteria found present in the contaminated meat. (Probiotics) are often referred to by several names: - good bacteria Probiotics (good bacteria) should be ever present and in good balance within our system and in the digestive tract (humans and animals). But when an organic system responds in a negative way to stress, this can alter the pH balance of the body which can have a powerful negative effect by killing off good bacteria in the digestive tract which frequently leads to diarrhea. This negative change in a system can also set up an environment that promotes the growth of bad (pathogenic) bacteria and systemic yeast, another culprit that needs to be address when it comes to bloat! Poor quality diet is another factor in the wearing down of a system. If an animal's digestive system has to work overtime processing foods it is very hard on the system plus the continuous feeding of poor quality, processed foods only adds to an overall breakdown in health and well-being. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for proper canine digestion but I have observed that dogs do not drool over cereal based foods (grocery store level foods) like they do over meat-based or raw meat diets. I suspect this limited amount of hydrochloric acid being produced by the animal when fed cereal-based foods may also contribute to this build up of gases in bloat. A couple good probiotic/digestive enzyme products are 4 in 1 Probiotics, (bacteria/digestive enzymes/vitamin C and barley grass) or BacPakPlus (friendly bacteria / digestive enzymes), because it has numerous benefits in helping to minimize our chances of bloat. Another even more comprehensive probiotic based product is called Filling N The Wholes which also is a whole food vitamin mineral product with heart, digestive, joint and immune support. - maintains good bacteria growth Part of the Solution: AntioxidantsI want to talk about the importance of antioxidants in the after care of torsion surgery. I cannot address the topic of surgery without discussing specific antioxidant enzymes and the remarkable results we have seen using these enzymes. First some background on oxygen free radicals and their counterparts antioxidants. What do oxygen "free radicals" and car exhaust have in common? They are both toxic byproducts produced by the production of energy. Energy is necessary to make both the car and the human/animal body function. The fuels may be different, one is oxygen the other is gasoline, but the end result is the same. Both produce energy and both have a toxic waste byproduct from that energy production. "Oxygen free radicals" (toxic byproducts) are the bad guys and antioxidants are the good guys because they move around the cells of the body and gobble up the free radicals. Think of these toxins as "body rust" and antioxidants are the rust inhibitors. Free radicals are what make us age and eventually die. So antioxidant enzyme supplementation can help by:
The dietary consideration for the after surgery animal is the same as I have addressed previously in this article, particularly the use of 4 in 1 Probiotics and MSM-Nutritional Sulfur. They are a must. But I want to discuss an enzyme called Nzymes which is a remarkable antioxidant of particular interest to me regarding bloat and torsion because of its ability to:
"Reperfusion injury"
is a condition whereby toxins, free radicals or oxygen byproducts
are released into the system of the animal after surgery trauma and
anesthetics which often causes death. According to a study done at
Purdue University, the majority of dogs lost after torsion surgery
die from reperfusion injury due to this release of toxins in the body
causing heart arrhythmia. Antioxidants enzymes, such as the Nzymes,
is one way to help support the system in hopes of preventing "reperfusion
injury". Even though torsion is an emergency surgery start the
animal on this product as soon as possible right after surgery. This
is not a drug but a food concentrate and will not conflict with any
medication the animal is on at the time. During an emergency surgery
of any kind the sooner you can start the animal on it the better.
UPDATE: 4-2007 - In a survey done through a Giant breed discussion list of over 800 members, 1/3 of 800 individual lost a Dane after common spay and neuter surgery. We have since come to realize this is due to a drop in body temperature. It is imperative your dog not be left on cold cement in a kennel after surgery or they will bleed out and die. They must be kept warm under the dog and on top. This is an enormous problem with large breeds, giants in particular because of the ratio of body mass to body surface. They can't hold body heat very well so it is absolutely critical that we keep them warm during the recovery from surgery. Please read and print out and "insist" your vet be sensitive to this need for your dog. Surgery Guidelines for Large - Giant breeds Beet Pulp - Does it Have a Role in Bloat? NO NO NO NO NO - beet pulp has absolutely no connection to bloat.
This is a dietary myth generated by one dog food manufacturer 20+
years ago. Thanks to the internet many of these dietary myths (corn,
beet pulp, pork)
still manage to have a life. Summary It is my opinion, the disease of bloat and
torsion manifests itself under stressful conditions - stress is the
trigger not the cause. I do not claim to have the answers for these diseases, but I do not believe one has to be a rocket scientist to realize we must stop looking for one cause like an elevated feed bowl, which is outrageous and illogical, and be more sensitive to the "whole" animal, how it interacts within its environment and what healthy nourishment is needed for wellness. We must renew their physical bodies with quality nutrients - a comprehensive program is critical in helping to prevent this condition - not just sticking a bowl of kibble in the corner of the room and calling that sustenance. It's time to remove the stigma of everything being caused by genetics and look at how we manage the "energy" that goes into our animals. If we choose junk foods and toxins then they become junk and toxins and we soon fall prey to disease, debilitation and death. We truly are what we eat and the dogs are what we choose to feed, them since they no longer have a choice in the selection of their own diets. I honestly believe we can minimize our chances and even prevent most
diseases, including bloat and torsion, as well as manage those who
have already gone through the surgery and live without fear of reoccurrence.
It is my sincere hope that you have as much luck with this feed program
as we have had over the years. See Blackwatch Adult Feed Program and other feed programs for all ages/stages and conditions at this website. PREPARATION IS OFTEN A DETERRENT These are things I keep on hand just in case - talk to your vet and get full instructions for use ahead of time.
Keep on hand at home - this will buy some time to get to the vet - I have listed in order of giving it:
When in doubt - go to the vet. When traveling to dog shows have the bloat kit and these things with you in your first aid kit. Now pack this up, put a way and just relax because you are prepared IF something would happen. I find being prepared is the greatest deterent for an emergency.
Accpuncture and Bloat
- By C.A. Krowzack, DVM In February of 1998, the Great Lakes Irish Wolfhound
Association (GLIWA) held their annual meeting. The meeting is an occasion
for fellowship of the members; the club attends to business and also
hosts a speaker on a special topic. In the past it has been obedience,
therapy dog training, and this year the topic was acupuncture. Dr.
Debbie Mitchell gave an overview of what acupuncture is, its history
and its medical uses. Then, using a member's dog showed the participants
several acupuncture/acupressure points that they could utilize. One
point was to stimulate gastrointestinal motility to combat bloat.
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES: For a list of all feed programs and articles referenced go to: wwwGreatDaneLady.com and click on ARTICLES and scroll through the titles to find what you are looking for be it Feed Programs for all sizes/shapes of dogs, Feed Programs for Rescue/Repair, Sensitive Stomach, IBS, IBD, etc. Supplement Links: www.nzymes.com - (Nzymes, OxE-drops, Yeast Removal Kit, BakPakPlus Probitoics_
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