[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Bloat - Food for Thought
- From: ORSuite@xxxxxxx
- To: helen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 16:24:58 EDT
In a message dated 8/10/2005 3:51:24 PM Eastern Standard 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. How bad is this problem becoming? Do WE need to
> consider
> doing the same with our dogs? How much is structural and how much is
> genetic?
> What percentage of dogs in the 60's or 70's faced this life-threatening
> disability? Thought I'd give you some new food for thought.
> Helen Franklin
>
**************************************************************
Not trying to be the Devil's Advocate here, but in this instance, these dogs
are used for service, not breeding. The armed forces, as well as any other
organization who needs use of such dogs, spend a lot of time, energy and money
into getting and training a quality dog for the job. To lose a dog from bloat
would be extremely heart-wrenching, not to discount the efforts involved,
getting that dog where he needed to be. It is disheartening and often
discouraging to see that done as a routine protocol, but I don't have "issue"
with it in
this set of circumstances. I DO have "issue" with dogs used for breeding, to
routinely have this done, as it sort of camouflages the real potential for
something to surface. (Those dogs that already bloated, need to have it and
for
the most part, breedings have occurred before they bloated.)
Just my opinion.
Chris K
"Do Right and Fear No One" --from the Stephanitz Family Crest
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