Phil & Heidi Warren
3212 Vance Road
Monkton, Maryland 21111
410-472-3181

Weimaraner Health - Bloat Prevention
       

Some of the advice in the links below for reducing the chances of bloat are:

•  Avoid highly stressful situations. If you can't avoid them, try to minimize the stress as
   much as possible. Be extra watchful.
•  Do not use an elevated food bowl
•  Do not exercise for several hours (e.g., 2 or 3) before and especially after eating
•  Particularly don't permit your dog to roll over, which could cause the stomach to twist
•  Do not permit rapid eating
•  Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one
•  Do not give water one hour before or after a meal.  It dilutes the gastric juices necessary
   for proper digestion, which leads to gas production.
•  Always keep a product with simethicone (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta),
   Phazyme, Gas-X, etc.) on hand to treat gas symptoms.
•  Some recommend giving your dog simethicone immediately if your dog burps more than
   once or shows other signs of gas.  Some report relief of gas symptoms with 1/2 tsp of
   nutmeg or the homeopathic remedy Nux moschata 30.
•  Allow access to fresh water at all times, except before and after meals
•  Make meals a peaceful, stress-free time
•  When switching dog food, do so gradually (allow several weeks)
•  Do not feed dry food exclusively
•  Feed a high-protein (>30%) diet, particularly of raw meat
•  If feeding dry food, avoid foods that contain fat as one of the first four ingredients
•  If feeding dry foods, avoid foods that contain citric acid
•  If you must use a dry food containing citric acid, do not pre-moisten the food
•  If feeding dry food, select one that includes rendered meat meal with bone product among
   the first four ingredients
•  Reduce carbohydrates as much as possible (e.g., typical in many commercial dog
   biscuits)
•  Feed a high-quality diet
•  Whole, unprocessed foods are especially beneficial
•  Feed adequate amount of fiber (for commercial dog food, at least 3.00% crude fiber)
•  Add an enzyme product to food (e.g., Prozyme)
•  Include herbs specially mixed for pets that reduce gas (e.g., N.R. Special Blend)
•  Avoid brewer's yeast, alfalfa, and soybean products
•  Promote an acidic environment in the intestine.  Some recommend 1-2 Tbs of Aloe Vera
   Gel or 1 Tbs of apple cider vinegar given right after each meal.
•  Promote "friendly" bacteria in the intestine, e.g. from yogurt or supplemental acidophilus.
•  Avoid fermentation of carbohydrates, which can cause gas quickly. This is especially a
   concern when antibiotics are given since they tend to reduce levels of "friendly" bacteria.

 And perhaps most importantly, know your dog well so you'll know when your  dog just isn't acting normally.

Mailto: heidi-phil@northwoodsweims.com

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