I have studied the research on bloat quite a bit and agree with you. I also had a recent conversation with an emergency vet who is seeing bloat in all breeds, large and small, and not just deep-chested ones. I seriously doubt that a gene, or set of genes, for bloat will ever be found. If it is, great. We can breed it out. Until and unless that happens, however, it doesn't help to play the blame game! Zoa Dr. Zoa Rockenstein www.riverrockshepherds.com ________________________________ From: "InquestGSD@xxxxxxx" <InquestGSD@xxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 1:37:55 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] when it comes to bloat I'll share with you the opinion of a vet I highly respect, one who deals in emergency care and sees bloat in many different breeds, including Beagles! "When it comes to bloat, it is wise to refrain from blaming a stud, as there is still no scientific proof that they are to be blamed. Nor the dam. It has not been 100% ascertained that bloat is hereditary. As this disease is not exclusive to GSD's, but to all dogs (and cats, and humans). Geneticist have not been able to ascertain this illness genetic standing. And since dam and stud are responsible for 50% of their offspring genetic compositi on, there would be much room for blame on both sides." Ileana ===========================================================================POST is Copyrighted 2009. 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://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ =========================================================================== ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2009. 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://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================