For the last eleven years Val Hudson has been researching a link between nutrition and Bloat. It hasn’t been easy; nevertheless she has persevered due in no small part to absolute devotion and love of dogs. She has looked into many of the potential deficiencies and excesses that can be found in today’s feeding regimes such as Copper, Zinc and Magnesium etc. with very little success. It wasn’t until she started looking into potassium deficiency that certain aspects started to fall into place.

Many theories have evolved around canine 'Bloat'. Originally, food got most of the blame; sometimes the new complete foods, sometimes an ingredient in the food such as soy meal. These ideas were abandoned when even dogs on home cooked diets developed 'bloat'. Better management was later suggested as a preventive, for instance, preventing the dog from eating and drinking large volumes of food and water, before or after periods of exercise. While these helped somewhat, they did not eliminate 'bloat'. It was suggested that the problem may have a genetic predisposition, or that it may even be due to body conformation. The specific cause for "bloat" as yet is not determined.

Veterinarians know how to diagnose and treat 'bloat' but as yet do not know what events trigger it. They know that there must be some factor, which causes the initial distension of the stomach. Their latest theory is that the stomach distension is probably due to a condition, which causes atony or paralysis of the wall of the stomach. Or it could be the loss of fluids and electrolytes from the body into the distended gut. More recently, an X-ray displaying the severely gas distended stomach of a dog with 'bloat' also showed markedly distended loops of intestines.

Wild or semi-wild dogs do not suffer from bloat - it is believed to be an ailment of domestication. Pedigree dogs have a 4.4 times higher risks of developing bloat than mongrels. It is more common in large and giant breeds, although medium sized dogs are also at risk. It is rarely - if ever, seen in small breeds. The apparent increase in incidents since 1975 has paralleled the growth of the dog food industry. This has led to the theory that commercially prepared foods may be an important factor. However, dogs hospitalised for a variety of other conditions that have not eaten for 24 hours also develop bloat.

The nutritional requirement of dogs has changed little since they were first domesticated. However, the knowledge and understanding of nutrient requirements and their applications have changed dramatically over the years. Ideally, the diet served to your dog should furnish at least the minimum content of all essential nutrients. This applies to any commercial all-in-one diet in use, and the many variations of canine diets prepared at home. The minimum nutrient requirement shown in the following chart illustrates the amount needed for each kilogram of body weight. Multiply these figures by your dog's weight. These adapted figures will then confirm the minimum daily nutrients required by your dog.

(Amounts per kg of body weight per day)

Where do we get the figures? These come in the form of tables compiled from experiments done by the academic and veterinary professions. Almost all of these figures involved the strict control of food intake of both adult and puppy until clinical signs manifested themselves. Animals were also observed and tested to ascertain the dietary requirements for Adult Maintenance; Requirements for Growth; Requirements for Reproduction; Work and Adverse Environmental Conditions. This data was correlated and a book was published called "The Nutrient Requirements of Dogs". This book is the basis of all pet food manufacturer recipes and is one of a series entitled Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals.

The majority of dog owners use 'all in one's'. Most Weimaraner people - like the 'majority' genuinely believe they are feeding what's best for the dog. As this breed needs to be 'lean', most owners usually feed very near to the maker's 'daily food' recommendations for the size of their dog. It's not for the Weimaraner to be on the plump side!

As a rule of thumb - the nutrients supplied by the food served daily, should be balanced and encompass entirely your dog's nutritional needs. Unfortunately this is mainly just the advertising hype given to the dog-loving public, as our research proved contrary to this belief.

We decided to take a closer look at three 'Regular' dry commercial brands of dog food, and choose only those promoted as 'complete' and 'balanced'. The only accurate information about a dog food is within a nutrient analysis. Commercial dog foods should theoretically contain nutrients more than the legal minimum. The term 'complete' implies that the dog food contains all of the required nutrients for canine health. If the nutrients are present in the correct amount and ratio, the food is 'balanced'. However, nutrient excesses and shortages became evident right from the start of our evaluation.

Brand A showed calorie deficiencies at 20kg body weight with potassium joining in at 30kg. Selenium almost made the minimum figure at 50kg. All three nutrients were deficient at 75kg body weight.

Brand B lacked sufficient calories from the start, with calcium and vitamin D short by 10kg body weight. At the 20kg weight, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin E and choline joined the list of deficiencies, with vitamin A following at 40kg. At 75kg fat and selenium completed the deficiency list.

Brand C commenced with a deficiency of choline, adding potassium and calorie deficiencies at 10kg body weight. Selenium joined in at 30kg, and copper at 60kg body weight.

These three commercial dry foods are promoted as 'complete' and 'balanced' yet all appear to be characterised by dietary excesses and shortages. Sodium is the most prominent nutrient excess and potassium the most obvious mineral deficiency.

At 5-kg body weight Brand A supplies in each daily feeding, three and a half times more sodium, and one and a half times the amount of potassium than the 'official'" minimum figures show. Yet this same brand, on reaching the recommendations for a body weight of 75kg, supplies with each daily intake of food - double the amount of sodium and only three-quarters of the minimum figure for potassium.

Brand B on the other hand, appears to assume that a very small breed of dog weighing 5kg or less, needs seven times more sodium than the minimum requirement, and one and a quarter times the minimum figure of potassium. Recommendations to daily food intake regarding weight supply such amounts. However, this assumption changes as the dog reaches 75kg. The recommended daily ration of food then only supplies three times the amount of sodium, and covers just over half of the minimum potassium requirement.

Brand C's idea of a dog's nutritional needs, means five and three-quarter times the minimum amount of sodium and a mere fraction over the minimum figure of potassium. The recommended daily allowance of food for a 5kg dog supplies these amounts. However, at 75kg, sodium levels are triple the minimum amounts, yet only half of the minimum figure for potassium is evident in the food fed.

The average sodium intake from these three commercial brands is five and half times more than the minimum requirement for a small dog. However, the potassium differential becomes greater from the smaller dog, to the largest breed.

That, and I quote ‘This condition is characterised by abdominal distension, vomiting, intestinal ‘silence’ and failure to pass stools or flatus.

A potassium deficiency causes the contractions of intestinal muscles to slow down considerably, or the muscles to become partially or completely paralysed. Such a deficiency can occur while taking diuretics, or cortisone, after surgery, diarrhoea, and other forms of stress.

Loss of cellular potassium is a cause of intestinal paralysis in dogs. Abdominal distension, vomiting, intestinal "silence" and failure to pass stools and flatus characterise it. As salt is lost from the body there is saliva from the mouth and a discharge from the nose, sometimes lasting for three hours. Their may be retching or vomiting, as a direct result of abdominal distension. Gait becomes unsteady. The dog walks with a wide base reminiscent of the effects of cerebella dysfunction, dragging the front paws. The head droops as the result of a generalised weakness, predominantly affecting the extensor muscle groups. Two further effects also became prominent. There is a generalised fibrillation most pronounced in the shoulder girdle, forelimb and facial muscles, and a clonic nodding of the head.

As the peristalsis of the intestine is completely abolished, the loop becomes flaccid and dilated. The tone of its wall is so low that the contents of the loop are no longer insulated from respiratory changes. Complete intestinal paralysis occurs before any evidence of respiratory embarrassment or circulatory failure becomes evident.

The reduction of the difference of potassium concentrations across the cell wall, by the loss of cell potassium, is exaggerated both by the rise in plasma potassium and by the passage of plasma water into the cellular compartment. Cellular loss of potassium is primarily responsible for a depression of intestinal propulsion.

QUERY: Let's presume that you are feeding one of the formula's belonging to brands A, B, or C, to your dog on a daily basis. We can also assume that you are very precise with the amount - serving only the measure recommended by the maker's to suit your dog's weight. If this is the case, a small breed fed on one of these complete

foods receives all the potassium they require from their daily allowance. Therefore, they have a risk factor of 1 of developing bloat. Medium sized breeds receive an average of 77% of the minimum amount of potassium required for their needs. They have a risk factor seventeen times greater than small dogs in developing "bloat". Large breeds receiving only 70% of their minimum requirement of potassium have a risk factor of almost 24% to bloat. The figure jumps to 133% chance of developing bloat when only 65 % of the minimum amount of potassium is supplied in the daily amount of food, which is fed to the giant breeds.

We believe that there is a direct correlation between the high sodium, low potassium content of commercial dog foods, to the occurrence of "bloat" in dogs. Let us show you our theory further by displaying potassium short falls and risk factors alongside each other.

The following chart shows the average percentage of potassium covered by brands A, B, and C, in relation to weight.

Why is it that wild dogs do not suffer from 'bloat'? Could it be that they are much more naturally intelligent than man is, when it comes to 'balancing' their diet! Why is it that pedigree dogs have a higher risk factor than mongrels, to bloat? Could it be that mongrels are more likely to get table scraps and a variety of foods, whereas most pedigree dogs receive nothing other than "all-in-one" food - in the mistaken belief that they are 'complete' and 'balanced'!

If the information contained in this article gives rise for concern, then perhaps it is the time to modify your dogs feeding regime. To this end we have compiled a (& to coin a phrase) ‘completely balanced and all your dog needs, diet’ together with the typical nutritional analysis for your use if you so desire.

Morning meal:

50 grams Barley/Oat flakes mixture (dry weight) - 6 tablespoons

45 grams Chicken Livers - 5 tablespoons

30 grams Cauliflower, cooked and chopped - 4 tablespoons

30 grams Peas, cooked and chopped - 3 tablespoons

10 grams Sunflower seeds ground - 2 teaspoons

5 grams Cod Liver Oil = 1 teaspoon, 5 ml.

PREPARATION: Put the Barley/Oat flakes mixture into a bowl. Pour over sufficient COLD water to well cover the flakes (three times the amount of water to grain), stir lightly; set aside to soak OVERNIGHT. Transfer the cereal flakes to a colander 10 to 30 minutes prior to use - to drain off the soaking water. Dice up the offal and place it into a pan. Pour over just enough boiling water to cover. Simmer gently for three minutes - if you prefer just to scald the offal, or cook to preference. When ready strain off the liquid - set aside to cool, (a little may be poured over the meal just before serving), chop small or mince the offal. Cook the vegetables, strain, and chop small, set aside to cool. Grind the sunflower seeds in a coffee mill or something similar. Put the strained cereal flakes into the feed bowl. Add the chopped/minced offal and vegetables. Sprinkle over the sunflower seeds. Add the Cod Liver Oil. Mix all together. Pour over a little of the offal stock to flavour the meal, if desired.

Evening meal: 200 grams raw, MINCED whole Chicken wings approx. 2.1/2 wings.

PREPARATION: MINCE the Chicken wings, or feed whole if you prefer. Place in the feed bowl. Serve at room temperature - NEVER chilled.

Morning meal:

50 grams Barley/Oat flakes mixture (dry weight) - 6 tablespoons

45 grams Pigs Kidney - 5 tablespoons

30 grams Cabbage, cooked and chopped - 3 tablespoons

30 grams Carrots, cooked and chopped - 3 tablespoons

10 grams Sunflower seeds ground - 2 teaspoons

PREPARATION: As before. Note - NO C.L.Oil.

Evening meal: 200 grams raw, whole Chicken wings - approx. 2.1/2 wings.

PREPARATION: As before.

Morning meal:

50 grams Barley/Oat flakes mixture (dry weight) - 6 tablespoons

45 grams Lambs Heart - 5 tablespoons

30 grams Brussels sprouts, cooked and chopped - 3 tablespoons

30 grams Swede, cooked and mashed - 2 tablespoons

10 grams Sunflower seeds ground - 2 teaspoons

PREPARATION: As before. Note - NO C.L.Oil.

Evening meal: 150 grams raw lean Lamb (leg) 5.1/4 oz. 20 grams Wheat Bran - 3 dessertspoons.

PREPARATION: Sprinkle the bran over the minced Lamb. Mix. Serve.

Morning meal:

50 grams Barley/Oat flakes mixture (dry weight) - 6 tablespoons

25 grams Sardines canned in oil (drained) approx. 2 fish

30 grams Runner Beans, cooked and chopped - 4 tablespoons

30 grams Carrots, cooked and chopped - 3 tablespoons

10 grams Sunflower seeds ground - 2 teaspoons

PREPARATION: As before. Note - NO C.L.Oil.

Evening meal: 150 grams raw lean minced Beef - 5.1/4 oz.

20 grams Wheat Bran - 3 dessertspoons.

PREPARATION: Sprinkle the bran over the minced Beef. Mix. Serve.

Mix two cups of Barley flakes with one cup of rolled Oats. Or, if larger amounts are needed: Mix 750grams Pot Barley flakes with 250grams Rolled Oats.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

This Weekly Menu provides a 10-kg Adult Dog with a daily average of 620 calories.

Typical Analysis: Protein 42g, fat 32g, sodium 281mg, potassium 1,107mg, calcium 5,938mg, magnesium 320mg, phosphorus 3,459mg, iron 30.88mg, copper 1.52mg, zinc 15.64mg, chloride 287.69mg, manganese 3.12mg, selenium 58.99ug, iodine 0.64mg, Vit A 5,445 IU, Vit D 138 IU, Vit E 8 IU, thiamin 0.87mg, riboflavin 1.26mg, niacin 26.69mg, Vit B6 1.08mg, Vit B12 12.31ug, folate 186ug, pantothenate 3.81mg, biotin 0.05mg, Vit C 18.39mg.

The protein/fat ratio is 1.32:1 The calcium/phosphorus ratio is 1.72:1

THE END