You're my boy Blu!

Subject: RE: You're my boy Blu!

Thanks.  Frequently it's hard to point to a "cause" in a case such as this....I'd be OK with it too, I was just curious.  Your pup fits the physical description of other labs I know this happened with.

So sorry about your pup!  Sending positive thoughts...

Stomach torsions ("GDV" or "bloat") are fairly common in some large breed dogs (Great Danes, German Shepherds, and other deep chested breeds especially).  After years of tracking trends and speculating, there are only a few things that are known to be risk factors:  1) A family history of it and 2) An anxious or aggressive temperament (although this is not always the case, by any means)

There's been no proven correlation between: type of food, exercise in relation to eating, elevating food bowls, etc. 

It's frustrating for sure and you really can't prevent it from happening.  Unfortunately, these are a surgical emergency...it's the only fix.  As an FYI, more and more, vets are offering prophylactic gastropexy surgeries.  This can be done at the time of a spay or neuter in dogs with family history or increased risk based on breed or body type.  The surgery involves tacking the stomach to the body wall inside, so it cannot twist on itself.  Just an option for people to consider and to speak with their vets about for some dogs.