The Ohio Vet study is only a portion of the issue. Greyhounds bloat/torsion often as well and they certainly do not have a deep abdominal cavity. I lost a 6 WEEK old Sheltie puppy to it. In general construction Great Danes have a smaller abdominal cavity than German Shepherds, and yet Danes rank way ahead of GSDs in incidents of bloat/torsion. Yes, I agree there is a genetic COMPONENT, but it is not the only component. I think Barbara Williams and Dr Krueger are/were closer than anyone in that it is tied somehow to the low pancreatic function typical in GSDs. Anyone know off hand the average pancreatic function of Danes? Oh.. and that Sheltie puppy that I lost... his mother had several bouts of pancreatitis after that litter was born. Ginger Cleary,Rome, GA www.rihadin.com http://www.rihadin.com/ <http://www.rihadin.com/> The Truth about H$U$ - www.humanewatch.org <http://www.humanewatch.org/> Member GSDCA Member Sawnee Mtn Kennel Club GA Director RDOES. -----Original Message----- From: showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of caggra@xxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 4:01 PM To: VSabiaB@xxxxxxx; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: What to do... gassy dogs The Veterinarians at Ohio State stated that bloat/torsion is breed specific (GSD's, Great Danes etc.) because of the way these breeds are built - deeper obdominal cavities?? ? However, they also stated that within those breeds there are most certainly lines that have a higher rate of occurance and that environmental factors can pull the trigger on those pre-disposed to it through their genes? I still hear some people talk about bloat & torsion as if it is not at all connected to genetic make-up Of course, then again, Elvis may still be alive too!???? :)? Jeff -----Original Message----- From: VSabiaB@xxxxxxx To: Scharo777@xxxxxxx; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tue, Jun 30, 2009 3:20 pm Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: What to do... gassy dogs In a message dated 6/30/2009 1:11:57 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Scharo777@xxxxxxx writes: I think that some dogs have a propensity to "make gas" more readily than others and the gas in those deep bodies causes the twisting of torsion. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This seems to be true, my vet suggested to me with dogs that I feel are more "gassy" give them GAS -X before they eat. I am currently doing Obedience with my male, Ch. Von Charisma's Veroni v Sarava OFA TC and have noticed on the drive to class and during class he has gas from the excitement. So I make sure I give him a Gas-X and we don't have a gassy drive anymore!! <VBG> ~Vicki Von Charisma German Shepherds www.voncharismags.com My sunshine does not come from the skies, It comes from the love in my dogs eyes. **************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place where pets rule! (http://www.pawnation.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000008) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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. 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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 2008. 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/ ============================================================================