Date Posted:01/26/2009 5:11 AMCopy HTML
Dietary Risk Factors for
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) in 11 Large and Giant Dog Breeds: A Nested
Case-Control Study
ABSTRACT
Malathi Raghavan,
DVM, MS;
Lawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH; Nita W. Glickman, MS,
MPH; Diana B. Schellenberg*, MS.
Dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus
(GDV) in dogs were identified using a nested case-control study. Of 1991 dogs
from 11 large- and giant-breeds in a previous prospective study of GDV, 106 dogs
that developed GDV were selected as cases while 212 remaining dogs were randomly
selected as controls. A complete profile of nutrient intake was constructed for
each dog based on owner-reported information, published references and nutrient
databases. Potential risk factors were examined for a significant (p<0.05)
relationship with GDV risk using unconditional logistic regression.
The
study confirmed previous reports of increased risks of GDV associated with
increasing age, having a first-degree relative with GDV, and having a raised
food bowl. New significant findings included a 2.7-fold (or 170%) increased risk
of GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four
ingredients. The risk of GDV was increased 4.2-fold (or 320%) in dogs that
consumed dry foods containing citric acid that were also moistened prior to
feeding by owners. Dry foods containing a rendered meat meal with bone among the
first four ingredients significantly decreased GDV risk by 53.0%. Approximately
30% of all cases of GDV in this study could be attributed to consumption of dry
foods containing fat among their first four ingredients, while 32% could be
attributed to consumption of owner-moistened dry foods that also contained
citric acid. These findings can be used by owners to reduce their dogs' risk of
GDV.
Note: A detailed report of this study will
be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed veterinary journal. Until it is
published, we are prevented by journal copyright policy to release any
information other than this abstract.
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