In a message dated 8/14/2006 7:42:08 AM Central Standard Time, Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx writes: Or, how about this.... As dogs age and muscles stretch, ligaments get loose, etc., could it be that sometimes it's actually the same (from the esophagus) that can lead to bloat in an older dog???? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............ Thats interesting...my vet sees it in alot of old dogs...all different breeds...he feels its the ligamentation and muscles that hold the stomach in place...nothing to do with the esophagus. He feels due to years of eating dry food and the expanding and contracting of the stomach the muscles and ligaments loosen...I could be wrong but I cant really see how the esophagus could cause bloat...its basically a tube leading to the stomach. I know it twists but thats due to the stomach flipping. Patty S ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. 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 - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================