Comments on: Feeding Highs and Lows http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/ For the love of dogs! Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:54:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: jsfarmer http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-17 jsfarmer Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:57:41 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-17 My point is more that there is some (anecdotal) evidence that Greys and raised feeders might not be such a good thing. Isn't it possible that some Grey owners are anthromorphosizing the floor-level feeding/neck discomfort a bit? My original post was more to point out that maybe the one-size-fits-all recommendation of raised feeders and Greyhounds is not such a good thing. As I have never professed to be a vet, I am not giving advice, but rather writing about my own personal experience. Consider it food for thought, that's all. My point is more that there is some (anecdotal) evidence that Greys and raised feeders might not be such a good thing. Isn’t it possible that some Grey owners are anthromorphosizing the floor-level feeding/neck discomfort a bit? My original post was more to point out that maybe the one-size-fits-all recommendation of raised feeders and Greyhounds is not such a good thing. As I have never professed to be a vet, I am not giving advice, but rather writing about my own personal experience. Consider it food for thought, that’s all.

]]> By: Carrie http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-16 Carrie Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:50:30 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-16 No, Greyhounds are not mentioned in the Purdue study and Dr. Barr's reference to greyhounds developing bloat are from his personal experience in his veterinary practice and two stud AKC-bred greys that he's personally aware of. Quote from his article: "Are Greyhounds predisposed to bloat? The incidence doesn't seem to be greater than any other large deep-chested breed, and if the truth be known, much less often than they are given credit for. I have cared for many Greyhounds over the past 30 years, and, to date, have experienced less than 6 cases." His reference to raised feeders concurs with the Purdue study: dogs generally predisposed to bloat are more likely to develop it if fed in raised feeders. If you read the data from the Purdue study, I think you'll be better able to disseminate evidence from theory. No, Greyhounds are not mentioned in the Purdue study and Dr. Barr’s reference to greyhounds developing bloat are from his personal experience in his veterinary practice and two stud AKC-bred greys that he’s personally aware of.

Quote from his article: “Are Greyhounds predisposed to bloat? The incidence doesn’t seem to be greater than any other large
deep-chested breed, and if the truth be known, much less often than they are given credit for. I have cared for many Greyhounds over the past 30 years, and, to date, have experienced less than 6 cases.”

His reference to raised feeders concurs with the Purdue study: dogs generally predisposed to bloat are more likely to develop it if fed in raised feeders.

If you read the data from the Purdue study, I think you’ll be better able to disseminate evidence from theory.

]]> By: jsfarmer http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-15 jsfarmer Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:29:28 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-15 The point is that Greyhounds are mentioned in the study, then, isn't it? The point is that Greyhounds are mentioned in the study, then, isn’t it?

]]> By: Carrie http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-14 Carrie Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:05:43 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-14 Actually, Dr. Barr's information is from the Purdue study, not a separate study. Actually, Dr. Barr’s information is from the Purdue study, not a separate study.

]]> By: jsfarmer http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-13 jsfarmer Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:07:08 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-13 Another study: http://www.nlga-mn.org/bloat_summer05.pdf "Recent research suggests that raised feeders DO contribute to bloat. Greyhounds that have bad necks should be fed from a raised feeder, as it is more comfortable for them. Once their neck issues are resolved, ground level feeding should be resumed. Apparently the raised feeders contribute to the swallowing of excessive air, which contributes to additional gastric inflation and therefore a critical aspect of bloat." Another study: http://www.nlga-mn.org/bloat_summer05.pdf

“Recent research suggests that raised feeders DO contribute to bloat. Greyhounds that have bad necks should be fed from a raised feeder, as it is more comfortable for them. Once their neck issues are resolved, ground level feeding should be resumed. Apparently the raised feeders contribute to the
swallowing of excessive air, which contributes to additional gastric inflation and therefore a critical aspect of bloat.”

]]> By: jsfarmer http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-12 jsfarmer Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:44:40 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-12 True, although they are basing the findings on "deep chested" dogs, which physiologically does include Greys. True, although they are basing the findings on “deep chested” dogs, which physiologically does include Greys.

]]> By: Carrie http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-11 Carrie Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:25:16 +0000 http://thatdogblog.com/2008/03/24/feeding-highs-and-lows/#comment-11 The findings indicate that a raised feeder is disadvantageous for dogs that they studied that were found to be prone to bloat. The study did not include Greyhounds as they are not in that category. The breeds found to be most susceptible include Great Danes, Akitas, Standard Poodles, Irish Setters, Bloodhounds, Rottweiler, Irish Wolfhound, Nefounlands, and St. Bernards. Here's a link to the study information and updates: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm If your dog is more comforatable using a lower or floor-level feeder, then by all means, use that. Raised or lowered has not been proven to protect Greys from bloat. The findings indicate that a raised feeder is disadvantageous for dogs that they studied that were found to be prone to bloat. The study did not include Greyhounds as they are not in that category. The breeds found to be most susceptible include Great Danes, Akitas, Standard Poodles, Irish Setters, Bloodhounds, Rottweiler, Irish Wolfhound, Nefounlands, and St. Bernards. Here’s a link to the study information and updates: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm

If your dog is more comforatable using a lower or floor-level feeder, then by all means, use that. Raised or lowered has not been proven to protect Greys from bloat.

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