Re: [PyrNet-L] Re: Health Issues/Bloat

["Barb Bowes, Bo, Molly, Chelsea & Flopsy" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Carol, When I sold my puppies the new owners were given what became
known (in my house) as "Mom's Encyclopedia for her Puppy Buyers"! It
was 19 pages long! I think I covered Bloat but can't really remember.
(It has been a while since I've had any puppies!) I agree with you
that breeders should mention Bloat, but most people listen to their
Vets more than they do their breeders. I agree with you on the soy
issue. Don't feed food with it and Never will! One of the other things
Pyr owners have to be careful of are artificial colors, flavorings,
preservatives etc. I don't know that these are related to Bloat but
they sure can produce allergic reactions! I deliberately feed my dogs
late at night (usually around 10:00 PM) so that they are less inclined
to decide to rough house after dinner. It is not a problem for me as
far as keeping an eye on them as I rarely get to bed before 12:30 AM.
What I feed digests so quickly (normally) that if any problems were to
occur I would know it before I went to bed. None of my dogs are
inhalers of food. They eat very slowly sometimes taking hours to
finish. The type of food I feed is rather hard for them to inhale
anyway. I have never had a case of Bloat and certainly hope I never
do! I have known people who have lost their dogs to bloat. Most of
those dogs were quite old. With Molly soon to be 11 and Bo turning 9
in December Bloat is something that is more and more on my mind. All
of the dogs that I have known of that had a Bloat problem could be
considered large dogs. I don't know if it occurs in the smaller
breeds. I will try to remember to ask my Vet the questions on bloat
when I see her on Monday.

Barb Bowes, NJ down at the shore!
Bo, Molly, Chelsea & Flopsy the Pyr Shep
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com