Are Dogs That Are Fed from a Raised Bowl at an Increased Risk of Gastric Dilation Volvulus Compared with Floor-Fed Dogs?

Published:

2017-01-16

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v2i1.57

Abstract

There are only two studies that study the effect of raised feeders on the risk of Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) and their findings conflict. Only one study found a significant effect of feeder height, with large and giant breeds fed from a raised feeder being at an increased risk of GDV floor fed dogs. However, these authors found that, where the feeder was raised, the height of the feeder that increased the GDV risk was affected by the size of the dog. Large breed dogs were more likely to develop a GDV if fed from a bowl ≤ 1 foot tall, whereas giant breed dogs were more likely to develop a GDV if fed from a bowl > 1 foot tall. No studies found that feeding from a raised feeder reduced the risk of GDV relative to feeding from the floor. Therefore, the safest option in the absence of further evidence is to advise that owners of ‘at risk’ dogs feed from a feeder on the floor. This may not reduce the risk of GDV, but there is no evidence to suggest that it will increase the risk. 


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Author Biography

Louise Anne Buckley, Department of Animal Production, Welfare & Veterinary Sciences, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire. TF10 8NB

Lecturer - Veterinary Nursing

References

Glickman, L. et al. (2000) Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs. Journal of the Veterinary Medicine Association, 217 (10), pp. 1492 – 1499 http://dx.doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.217.1492

Pipan, M. et al. (2012) An internet-based survey of risk factors for surgical gastric dilation-volvulus in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, 240 (12), pp. 1456 – 1462 http://dx.doi.org/10.2460/javma.240.12.1456

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Vol. 2 No. 1 (2017): The first issue of 2017

Section: Knowledge Summaries

Categories :  Small Animal  /  Dogs  /  Cats  /  Rabbits  /  Production Animal  /  Cattle  /  Sheep  /  Pig  /  Equine  /  Exotics  /