German Shepherds - Avoid Bloat Problems

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All German Shepherds have a risk of getting 'gastric digestive volvolus' or BLOAT. This is where their stomach can twist around and close off their oesophagus and their bowel so no gasses can escape from the stomach. The stomach then swells up and expands until your dog either dies of shock or ruptures something internally and bleeds to death. If your dog gets 'bloat', then the death-rate is VERY high. Vets say it's very difficult to save a dog with bloat. It sounds so horrible and painful - and it is. I should know. My 10 year old German Shepherd had bloat two years ago. He's always been so happy and healthy that to see him so sick and at death's door nearly destroyed me. It took him 3 months to recovery from his surgery. He had 32 stitches up his entire stomach. It was the most awful thing I've ever seen. I called the vet clinic and told them my dog's stomach had puffed up one night after his dinner and the vet said "You have 5 minutes to get him to the surgery or he'll die." Here's how to make sure your German Shepherd never gets bloat. - Feed your dog twice a day - two smaller meals instead of one big meal means there's not so much food in his/her stomach at any time. - Keep an eye on how much water your dog is drinking. Too much water and too much food can bloat your dog. - Avoid allowing your dog free access to kibble or dried biscuits that can swell up in his stomach. Measure out your dog's food and only allow access at meal times.