Actually in the cases of the Ohio State University veteriarians their research has included parents, pedrigees and occurances in them......and while there can be a hereditary factor, they still say it is a breed specific problem that can be structure related as well as genetic. What you are saying would be like saying that heart disease is only genetic. We all know that those who have heart disease in their families are at much higher risk for heart disease. However, there are other factors - Diet, excersize, smoking etc. I am NOT saying bloat is not genetic..... I am just saying that it is not ONLY genetic - there are other factors involved including our breeds natural structure - also stress and other things could be involved. Jeff -----Original Message----- From: ANN SCHULTZ <edangsd@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: caggra@xxxxxxx; PAGAIRS@xxxxxxx; helen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 14:13:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Bloat - Food for Thought I feel that bloat is very hereditary, I know the lines of the dogs that bloat, how many vets know the pedigree of their patients? I have had just two bloat in 25 years that I know of, mother and son. Ann www.edangsd.com caggra@xxxxxxx wrote: We have been told by the Veterinarians at Ohio State University that many bloat issues are breed specific many times due to their structure...hence why it is prevalent in GSD's, Danes and other dogs or animals that have narrow deep abdomens. Now I am not at all saying that we do not have any genetic issues or that these issues do not seem to be more prevalent in certain lines. I am just relaying information that these veteranarians at a top research institute seem to believe. Evidence can support both natural structure and genectics playing a role, so that tells me that it is a combined issue. -----Original Message----- From: PAGAIRS@xxxxxxx To: helen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 15:57:41 EDT Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Bloat - Food for Thought In a message dated 8/10/2005 2:51:17 PM Central Daylight Time, helen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: I was watching a special about Lackland Air Force Base and the training of prospective combat dogs, mostly German Shepherds. After the dogs were thoroughly screened for acceptability, they were sent for surgery. The veterinarians automatically tack down the stomachs of all German Shepherds entering the program, to prevent bloat. WOW! What does this say??? I found it both scary and depressing. I was emailing with an old friend of mine...and she was telling me about her sheep...then she proceeds to tell my one of her ewes with 8 week old twins died of the bloat..Guess its in all species....Please correct me, but I've been told by my vet that tacking the stomach just prevents torsion, but that they can still bloat. My vet has alot of Dane people tack the stomach automatically when the dogs are young. Patty ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================