Information on this site is to provide many points of view it is not a guide to raising of your dog. You should only follow advise of breeder of the the puppy or your veterinarian. This site and owners are not responsible for any use or misuse of any information. We (as site / dane owners) do not follow a lot of the content on page below. Care of a dog is the soul responsibility of it's owner. The only goal here is to compile as many views as possible to let people see there is not just one theory on raising or feeding Great Danes.

 

What are the symptoms of Bloat?
Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5 – 30 minutes

  • This seems to be the most common symptom and is referred to as the “Hallmark symptom”
  • “Unsuccessful vomiting” means either nothing comes up or possibly just foam and/or mucous comes up

Doesn't act like usual self

  • Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that almost always occurs

Significant anxiety and restlessness

  • one of the earliest warning signs and is fairly typical

“Hunch up” or “roached up” appearance

  • this seems to occur fairly frequently

Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy
Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)

  • Despite the term “bloat,” many times this symptom never occurs or is not apparent

Pale or off-color gums

  • Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages

Coughing
Unproductive gagging
Heavy salivating or drooling
Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous
Unproductive attempts to defecate
Whining
Pacing
Licking the air
Seeking a hiding place
Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort
May refuse to lie down or even sit down
May stand spread-legged
May curl up in a ball or go into a praying or crouched position
Mat attempt to eat small stones or twigs
Drinking excessively
Heavy or rapid panting
Shallow breathing
Cold mouth membranes
Apparent weakness; unable to stand or has a spread-legged stance

  • Especially in advanced stages

Accelerated heartbeat

  • Heart rate increases as bloating progresses

Weak Pulse
Collapsing

CAUSES
The following may be the primary contributors to bloat. 

Stress

  • Dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, change in routine, new dog in household, etc...
  • Activities that result in gulping air

Eating Habits, especially…

  • Elevated food bowls
  • Rapid eating
  • Eating dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative (the risk is even worse if the owner moistens the food)
  • Eating dry food that contain fat among the first four ingredients
  • Insufficient pancreatic enzymes, such as Trypsin (a pancreatic enzyme present in meat)
  • Dilution of gastric juices necessary for complete digestion by drinking too much water before or after eating
  • Eating gas-producing food (especially soybean products, brewer’s yeast, and alfalfa)
  • Drinking too much water too quickly (can cause gulping of air)

Exercise before and specially after eating
Heredity

  • Especially having a first-degree relative who has bloated
  • Dogs who have untreated Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) are considered more prone to bloat

Build & Physical Characteristics

  • Having a deep and narrow chest compared to other dogs of the same breed
  • Older dogs
  • Big dogs
  • Males
  • Being overweight

Disposition

  • Fearful or anxious temperament
  • Prone to stress
  • History of aggression toward other dogs or people

PREVENTION
The following is some advice in reducing the chances of bloat, even though each dog is different and could still get bloat:

Avoid highly stressful situations.  If you can’t avoid them, try to minimize the stress as much as possible.  BE EXTRA WATCHFUL
Do not exercise for at least one hour (longer if possible) before and especially after eating

  • Particularly avoid vigorous exercise and don’t permit your dog to roll over, which could cause the stomach to twist

Free Feeding, or frequent small meal (at least 3 times a day)… instead of just one or two large meals a day.

  • Free feeding (keeping the bowl filled at all times) for Danes is suggested so they can snack throughout the day rather than eating all at once.

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 (Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Phazyme, Gas-X, etc…) on had to treat gas symptoms

  • Some recommend giving your dog simethicone immediately if your dog burps more than once or show other signs of gas
  • Some report relief of gas symptoms with ½ tsp of nutmeg or the homeopathic remedy Nux moaxhata 30

Allow access to fresh water at all times, except before and after meals
Make meals a peaceful, stress-free time
When switching dig food, do so gradually (allow several weeks)
Do not feed dry dog 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 for ingredients
If feeding dry food, avoid foods that contain citric acid

  • If you must use a dry food containing citric acid, DO NOT pre-moisten food

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 supplemental acidophilus

  • Avoids 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

Don’t permit excessive, rapid drinking

  • Especially a consideration on hot days

**** And perhaps the most important … know your dog well enough so you’ll know when your dog just isn't acting normally ****