In this month's issue of Pet Sitters World  magazine, is an excellent article written by Thom Somes, "The Pet Safety Guy", on Bloat. If you have a large breed dog such as a Great Dane, Bernese mountain dog, German shepherd dog, etc. you probably know something about bloat. Bloat is basically, the filling of the stomach with air and can include twisting of the stomach which cuts off circulation and can be life-threatening. Ways to reduce the possibility of your large breed dog having an occurrence are as follows:

1) Feed a high quality food

2)Feed the dog two or three times a day rather than one large meal.

3) Use bottled or filtered water in the dog's water bowl or drinking fountain.

4)Don't feed your dog within an hour before or after vigorous exercise.

5) If you change the dog's diet, do it gradually.

and lastly, Somes suggests you learn about orogastric lavage; a method of entering the stomach through the mouth to release trapped air. He also suggests the purchase of a Bloat Kit.

For more information on bloat speak to your veterinarian and check out www.pettech.net.

Sari