Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue

Rescue Referrals

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:13:40 +0100

Weimaraner Rescue of the South Serving AL, MS, & parts of GA, LA, & TN

Louisville Weimaraner Rescue Serving KY, IN, OH, & WV

Atlanta Weimaraner Club Rescue Serving GA

DC Area Weimaraner Rescue Serving Washington, DC area
VA & WV

Weimaraner Rescue & Adoption of Florida (Big Dog Ranch) Serving Florida

Weimaraner Rescue of South Carolina Serving SC

Tarheel Weimaraner Rescue Serving NC

For a complete list of Weimaraner rescue groups in the United States, visit Weimathon and click on "Weim Rescues"

The Importance Of Heartworm Prevention

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:56:14 +0100

We are entering the peak of heartworm season once again. Many Weims received into Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue test positive for heartworms. Not only is the treatment for heartworms expensive, but it's very tough on the dogs too. Read Why Is Heartworm Prevention Important? for an informative, easy-to-understand article that hits on the importance of Heartworm prevention. There are many heartworm preventatives on the market and your veterinarian can discuss these with you.

The American Heartworm Society is also an invaluable source of information on heartworms.

Selecting a Diet for Your Weimaraner

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:20:23 +0100

"What should I feed my Weimaraner?" is a common question heard by Wolf Creek volunteers. As feeding our Weimaraners constitutes one of our largest expenses and since dogs come to us having been fed all different types of food, we do have some experience with selecting a good food for our dogs. It is worth noting that Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue does not have any exclusive relationship with a particular food manufacturer. We are thankful for the support of several manufacturers.

Many of the Weimaraners that have entered our program have sensitive stomachs and we have found that investing a little more money in a premium food tends to decrease our overall healthcare expenses and improve the dogs' general health. Feeding a high-quality food can provide some very immediate and noticeable results. Simply by changing foods, we have seen dogs' coats drastically improve, significantly decreased skin irritation and itching, and significant reduction of GI upset including a reduction in diarrhea and vomiting. It is also the case that there is not one food product in the marketplace that will work for every dog. Some of our Weimaraners with hypersensitivity to some food products actually develop additional sensitivities over time. We have seen dogs start out great with a particular brand of food but develop a sensitivity to one of the components in that food and have to change brands entirely. While uncommon, that does happen. If your dog does begin to show signs of increased GI upset, we encourage you to consult with your vet as there could be other underlying causes that require medical treatment. It is also worth noting that seemingly sudden sensitivity to a particular food does not necessarily mean that the manufacturer has modified the ingredients in the food, but is worth inquiring about. Food sensitivities can be difficult to pinpoint, so any information that can help identify what specifically the dog's stomach can not tolerate is beneficial.

Looking at your pet's health long-term, nutrition plays a vital role. Providing the necessary trace elements and a balanced diet can keep your Weimaraner at a healthy weight, reduce the chances for chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis, and even keep your dog's vision healthy as he or she reaches adulthood and becomes a senior pet. Again, before making any changes in your pet's diet, we encourage you to discuss nutrition with your vet. Pets with certain diseases like diabetes and renal failure generally require prescription diets that are dramatically different than commercially-available over-the-counter diets.

So what do we recommend feeding your Weimaraner? Unfortunately there's no easy answer to the question of what food is best for Weimaraners. We can tell you that the vast majority of our dogs have had excellent results with Canidae products. Especially in dogs with sensitive stomachs and some skin conditions, we have seen consistently good results with Canidae. The company is committed to quality and uses consistent manufacturing processes and ingredients. Representatives from the company are more than willing to answer any questions about their products and offer excellent customer service. Some pet owners find that a raw diet works well for their dog. There are several manufacturers of balanced, easy-to-feed raw diets. Some of our dogs have had good results with Stella & Chewy's products. There are many good pet food products available. To help narrow the field, we have only mentioned two that have shown very good results. Typically, retailers that carry the products mentioned in this article will have several high-quality products to choose from. A good knowledgeable retailer can provide you with more side-to-side comparisons and work with you to select a food that works well for your pet.

Again, any time you consider modifying your pet's diet, we encourage you to discuss with your vet first. Because nutrition is such an important component of your pet's health, your vet should be willing to discuss general information with you openly and not insist upon feeding your pet the brand that is available in his or her office, unless your pet has a special dietary requirement that necessitates a prescription diet. Most of today's high-quality foods are well-balanced and your pet should not need to frequently change diets. Unnecessarily changing diets can actually cause more problems than it solves! If you do decide to change your pet's diet, remember to gradually make the change. Start by feeding your pet 75% of their old food and 25% new food. After several days of no stomach upset, increase to a 50/50 mixture and see how your pet responds. Wait a few more days and change the mix to 75% new and 25% old. After several more days at this ratio, if your pet shows no signs of stomach upset, it should be fine to entirely phase out the old food.

Most importantly, find the right product for your pet. Every Weimaraner is different, so it is impossible to say with certainty what the best food for your dog is. Do your research, look for quality and consistency, and remember that too much of a good thing is a bad thing! Just as important as selecting the right food is feeding the right quantity to keep your Weimaraner at its ideal weight.

Palladia - Mast Cell Cancer Treatment

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:51:44 +0100

View the Today Show's video featuring Pfizer's novel oral chemotherapeutic treatment for mast cell cancer: Palladia.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Letting Go

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:37:19 +0100

Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time... It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other. - Leo F. Buscaglia

This article appears as a departure from the typical style and contains purely op-ed content. This will be the first in a series of topics focused on caring for your senior pet.

For Missy, Ron, Jenny, Jim, Pam, Phil, and Whitney

Nearly six years ago on a Friday afternoon in August, I drove to Knoxville to meet and potentially bring Stelladog home with me. Who was I kidding? There was no chance that Stella would not be coming home with me. I didn't know enough to even ask questions that might have changed my mind. I didn't know that she had already been placed in a few other homes that didn't work out. And I didn't know that her stomach would be as sensitive as my own, making her love of food an always-interesting challenge, much like my own. Even after a few weeks of the two of us struggling to determine who was "alpha" and some frustrated phone calls back to the folks at Wolf Creek, there was never any question about whether Stella was here to stay. And I certainly didn't know that she would eventually be diagnosed with chronic renal failure with a very poor prognosis.

One of the beautiful things about adopting a dog from a rescue is that you don't know the entire history of the dog. There's no chance to form a presupposed notion of the dog. The relationship starts at the time you bring the dog home and leaves behind any past issues. Thankfully, unlike people, in most cases dogs are eager to be happy creatures and have very little problem forgetting bad things in their past. They don't hold grudges and seem to remember only the good times.

The reality is that you will most likely outlive your Weimaraner. That's the other thing that nobody tells you when you take your dog home. And who could blame them? Nobody likes to think about end-of-life decisions and concerns, and certainly not during the excitement of bringing your new dog home. But unfortunately, it's a very real part of adopting a dog that we all must be aware of and prepared for. We shouldn't become overwhelmed by worry about the end of our pets' lives, but must realize that we will likely be forced to watch our pets age and modify our routines, our lifestyles, and our interactions with those pets as they age.

Stella was always a high-intensity dog. Only a few months before her death, she was still literally jumping over furniture with excitement when I would arrive home from work, or just before time for a meal. She didn't know that she was nine years old, and that large breed dogs needed to slow down well in advance of age nine. Very thankfully, she never suffered from arthritis or hip dysplasia. She certainly didn't age like most other large breed dogs, and still insisted on maintaining an active lifestyle. For many, though, a reduction in vigorous activity is a normal part of the aging process. Walks might get shorter and time spent resting might increase, but it's still vital to keep your dog active and engaged.

Stella's cognitive ability never diminished. She proved early on that given any opportunity, she could easily demonstrate her superior intelligence. How many dogs can peel a banana? How many dogs would decide to go bark at their friend to fetch the ball out of the lake instead of getting wet themselves? That was Stella. Her favorite game was something like "Hey! Look at this great toy. You KNOW you want it. Don't you? See it? You want it. Try to get it. Yea, that's right. You can't have it. It's MINE and I'll growl at you. But look! Isn't it cool? Try to get it again." That's what we were doing just before I took her back to her vet the day that she was hospitalized for the last time.

In future articles, we will focus more specifically on the aging process for dogs. In this article, the intent is simply to introduce a difficult topic, share my experiences, and provide some suggestions for other pet owners facing the loss of their best friend.

A friend and fellow Weimaraner enthusiast told me upon hearing of Stella's passing, "Pets should always outlive inlaws." And I couldn't agree more! Certainly you will have friends that share their lives with dogs and can empathize with the loss of your pet. My friends were fantastic throughout Stella's illness and ultimate demise. Friends literally from all across the United States sent countless e-mails, reached out to their contacts for clinical advice, continuously checked in on Stella, and offered nothing but kindness and support immediately following her death. Surround yourself with friends. Somewhere on a calendar, I once read a tongue-in-cheek prayer: "Lord, please help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." Losing Stella served as a good reminder that every day I should do my very best to engage my friends with the same love and passion for life that Stella gave to me. Two days before she died, even as she was so weak she could barely stand, she still walked over to the stairs to greet me when I came home with a wagging tail. She grabbed a toy and wanted to play. Over the years, anticipation of that greeting became a very important stress reliever for me. No matter how bad my day at the office seemed to be, I could always count on Stella to be waiting on me as soon as I got home. She taught me a tremendous amount about service to others and the past few weeks have reminded me that I should constantly strive to be as dependable to and such an important part of my friends' lives.

It's important to consider end-of-life care before that time comes. What are the limits you will set for medical treatment? There's no right or wrong answer. In my professional life, I work with long-term care facilities and have become all too accustomed to seeing varying degrees of suffering in humans. I'm very thankful that Stella's illness progressed rapidly and that there was a very definite point in time when her veterinarian and I recognized that further treatment would simply prolong her suffering and be selfishly cruel. It's important to be able to discuss termination of care and death with dignity with your vet. You will know when that time has come. When Stella no longer wanted to go for walks, when she became entirely disinterested in food, and when the rapid infusion of intravenous fluids caused her so much edema as to be terribly uncomfortable with only more dismal lab results, it was clear that it was time to end treatment and end her suffering. We had already said our goodbyes on her last healthy day. The last phone call from her vet was certainly unpleasant, but I was relieved to know that she would no longer be suffering.

And speaking of veterinarians, it is essential to find a vet that you are comfortable with. Dr. Tracy Lilly and Dr. Ron Scott took tremendous care of Stella - and of me! - during her life and her death. Dr. Scott had been her vet since she came home with me. Not only is he a fantastic diagnostician, he also has the ability to make me relax and think rationally about disease states, treatment, etc... He tells fascinating stories, too! As Dr. Scott cut back the hours that he worked, Dr. Lilly came on board to cover the hours that he was not in the office. Stella never saw Dr. Lilly until she became very ill. But her commitment to Stella's care leaves me hopeful that as I age, I will find a physician that will be only half as committed to my care. She, too, went above and beyond the call of duty to patiently explain things to me, provide status updates, research food options, and spend time with Stella. The vet techs - especially Laurie - were fantastic, too. The entire office was always very good to both of us, but really exhibited tremendous care, effort, and compassion during Stella's final days. If you feel rushed when you talk with your vet or have any reservations about their treatment of your pet, do not waste another day. Find a vet that both you and your pet are comfortable seeing. Build a strong relationship. Take them breakfast. You will one day need that strong relationship.

Finally, laugh. Take another lesson from your dog and recall some of the fantastic memories you've made. There are too many times that Stella made me laugh to the point of crying to recall here. Sometimes throughout the day, I will see something or be in a situation that reminds me of Stella, and I frequently laugh out loud thinking about a time in our past or what her reaction would be if she was standing beside me.

Several months ago (long before Stella fell ill), a very close friend that I made after adopting Stella suggested that I read Garth Stein's novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain. For any dog lover, this is simply a must-read. Written from a dog's perspective, you will laugh and cry with Enzo as he tells his life story and discusses the importance of a dignified death. Take the time to read this book; you will not be disappointed.

Soon I plan to share a drink with some of my closest friends that I have made because of adopting Stella. Not only will it serve as a memorial to Stelladog, but also a toast to living each day going forward in an attempt to show them the same commitment, loyalty, and unquestioning friendship that she showed me. I implore each of you to consider these things and remember that your final act of kindness will be letting go and saying goodbye in a meaningful way to your best friend.

Happy Endings

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:21:52 +0100

Overview of Weimaraners

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:29:30 +0100

Overview of Weimaraners & Other Resources

Getting to know this breed before taking one as a friend is essential ( Please watch the Animal Planet "Weimaraners 101" video at the bottom of the home page , and take the quiz at the bottom of this page.). If you don't have time and patience to carefully read all this information offered, then you don't have time for a Weimaraner. The Weimaraner Standard describes the breed temperament as friendly, fearless, alert, and obedient, but this is but the half of its personality. Assertive, bold, loyal, and headstrong also fit, giving the dog a loving attitude with a willingness to take the upper paw in the family if the opportunity presents itself. Housebreaking can be a problem, as can destructive chewing. Like most large hunting breeds, the Weimaraner needs lots of exercise and must be kept in a fenced yard to prevent him from ranging in search of game. Because he was developed as a hunting dog and still maintains those instincts, he may be dangerous to birds and small mammals. Unlike many hunting breeds, however, the Weimaraner is a house dog and does poorly when confined to a kennel. This is a breed that needs obedience training to control his rambunctious nature. Owners should have a crate for the new puppy for help in housetraining and to protect furniture and woodwork from puppy teeth when the little rascal cannot be watched. Puppy classes or control exercises at home are essential for the Weimaraner the moment he enters the family. He must be taught all members of the family are to be obeyed. Training methods must be gentle and firm, for harsh treatment will sour his attitude. 1. Weimaraners are very energetic animals...they are bred to hunt all day with their master. Changing this behavior changes the essential Weim. If you can not deal with this behavior, you should look at other breeds less rambunctious! 2. Weims are not soft mouthed like a Golden Retriever or Irish Setter. They are still the game hunter and some Weims have a low tolerance for small fur bearing animals including cats and small dogs. Changing this behavior again changes the basic temperament of the dog. 3. Weims can bark and if you are away from them too much and they are left to themselves, Weimaraners are like any other lonely dog, they will bark incessantly and develop bad habits or try escaping their surroundings. 4. Although Weimaraners are hunting dogs, they do not like living outdoors. They require your attention. They are the true, loyal, hunting companions in every respect, needing your friendship. Chaining a Weim outside will not work! 5. Inspite of the folklore and myth surrounding the breed, the Weimaraner is not a wonder dog. Given the opportunity, he will still steal the pot roast off the dining room table when no one is looking! This may seem like a lot of work, but a good owner/dog relationship could last around fifteen years. Longer than some marriages! The time and effort put into finding a dog that suits your needs and personality, whether it a Weimaraner or some other breed, will provide a rewarding experience for both of you over the life of the dog.

http://www.weimrescue.org

Happy Endings Story

Sat, 09 May 2009 00:48:23 +0100

ADOPTED A WEIM? WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU...

If you and/or your family adopted a beloved Weimaraner from Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue, we would love to hear from you. Would you take a few minutes and tell us about your experience (100 words or less ) of how you feel your newest adopted Weimaraner family member changed your life for the better? Or, perhaps a story such as "Our adopted Weimaraner was the best choice because..."

Many people visit our "Happy Endings" and ask about specific dogs and how they are doing. This does seem to be the happy spot of the web-site and many people like to see the new family & weim in his/her home . It also will help others who may have preconceived ideas (perhaps negative) about adopting a rescued Weimaraner.

Heartworm Disease

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:16:36 +0100

Canine Heartworm Disease

Dogs are considered the definitive host for heartworms ( Dirofilaria immitis). When a mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae bites a dog and transmits the infection, the larvae grow, develop and migrate in the body over a period of several months to become sexually mature male and female worms. These reside in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. As mature adults, the worms mate and the females release their offspring (microfilariae), pronounced: (micro-fil-ar-ee-a), into the blood stream.Canine heartworm infection is widely distributed throughout the United States. Heartworm infection has been found in dogs native to all 50 states. All dogs, regardless of their age, sex, or habitat, are susceptible to heartworm infection.

Treatment

The treatment to kill the heartworms is expensive ($250-700 per dog) and is very tough on the dogs.

Preventives

While treatment of canine heartworm disease is usually successful, prevention of the disease is much safer and more economical. There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection, including monthly tablets, chewables and topicals. These products are extremely effective and when administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be prevented.

IN ADOPTING A WEIMARANER FROM WCWR, WE REQUIRE CONTINUATION OF HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE.

Hip Dysplasia

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:47:01 +0100

WHAT IS IT

"Hip dysplasia" simply stated means an "abnormal formation" of the hip joint. Think of the condition first as a looseness in a joint that should be snug - then most of the problems attendant to hip dysplasia are a result of this "looseness".

The normal anatomy of the hip joint is a classic Ball and Socket joint. The head of the femur (the "Ball") is supposed to match the acetabulum (the "Socket"). A good hip joint has a neat, snug fit between the ball and socket - that is, the head of the femur should not be slipping and slopping around somewhere in the neighborhood of the acetabulum!

Symptoms:
Less energy and movement; difficulty rising; lameness in the back legs; reluctance to use stairs (particularly to go up); reluctance to jump or stand on hind limbs; swaggering gait, bunny-hopping gait; soreness after lying down; soreness after heavy exercise.

Treatment:
There are conservative, or non-surgical, methods for treating hip dysplasia, such as pain medications, weight loss programs, controlled exercise, and physical therapy. These methods can be very effective in certain cases. However, conservative treatments do have their limitations.

The other option is surgery. There are two surgical approaches for dealing with hip dysplasia: prophylactic procedures, which are designed to prevent the progression of arthritis, and therapeutic procedures, which aim to treat or salvage already arthritic hips.

About Weimaraners

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:08:12 +0100

Weimaraner

Pronunciation: Vl-mer-ron-er

The Weimaraner (pronunciation: Vi-mer-ron-er) is a happy, loving, intelligent, cheerful and affectionate dog. Without the proper exercise they become very rambunctious. This breed needs firm, experienced training from the start, with an owner who understands how to be a dog’s pack leader, or this breed can become highly opinionated and willful. The Weimaraner can be reserved with strangers. Socialization is very important. Protective on his own territory. Very brave and loyal, it has a very high prey instinct. The Weimaraner needs to live indoors as a member of the family. He needs attention and companionship, but most of all, leadership, boundaries he needs to follow, and limitations to what he is allowed to do, along with consistent leadership. These things are instinctively essential to having a happy, behaved, stabled minded dog. If regulated to a kennel life or left alone too much, he can become destructive and restless. He is a natural protector. Weimaraners are often kind to children, but are not recommended for very young ones, because they are energetic enough to accidently knock a child down. You must give your weim plenty of extensive exercise or he will become overly excited and restless. Because this breed is so full of energy, the first thing they should learn is to sit, then praise only when sitting. This will prevent jumping in the future, as they are strong dogs and will knock over elderly & children accidently. This breed especially should not be hit to discipline, they become wary easily. Once they have a fear of someone/something, they look to avoid and training is all but impossible. They are so eager to please and motivated by reward (food or praise). Although they are often mistaken as dumb, because they have such focus, if the trick or owner’s request isn’t their focus, it will not occur.

Weimaraners are prone to bloat (see Weimaraner Health), it is best to feed them two to three small meals a day than one large meal. They may also suffer from hip dysplasia (see Weimaraner Health), but generally are a hardy breed of dog.

Weimaraners will do okay in apartments if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors, but do best with at least a large fenced yard. The Weimaraner are powerful working dogs with great stamina. They need to be taken on daily walks or jogs. In addition, they need plenty of opportunities to run free within a fenced area. DO NOT EXERCISE THEM AFTER MEALS. It is best to feed a dog after a walk when they have cooled down.

The life expectancy of a Weimaraner is ten to twelve years.

Bloat (GDV) in Dogs

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:58:01 +0100

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) in Dogs

Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

   Heidi - 13yo GDV survivor

What is bloat?

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is also known as "bloat," "stomach torsion," or "twisted stomach. GDV is an extremely serious condition, and should be considered a life-threatening emergency when it occurs. Dogs can die of bloat within several hours. Even with treatment, as many as 25-33% of dogs with GDV die.

With “bloat”, the stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs and diaphragm. This makes it difficult for the dog to breathe, and compresses large veins in the abdomen, thus preventing blood from returning to the heart. Filled with air, the stomach can easily rotate on itself, thus pinching off the blood supply. Once this rotation (volvulus) occurs and the blood supply is cut off, the stomach begins to die and the entire blood supply is disrupted and the animal's condition begins to deteriorate very rapidly. What dogs are more susceptible?

What dogs are more susceptible?

Breed	GDV Risk Ratio	Risk Rank
Great Dane	41.4	1
Saint Bernard	21.8	2
Weimaraner	19.3	3
Irish Setter	14.2	4
Gordon Setter	12.3	5
Standard Poodle	8.8	6
Basset Hound	5.9	7
Doberman Pinscher	5.5	8
Old English Sheepdog	4.8	9
German Shorthaired Pointer	4.6	10
Newfoundland	4.4	11
German Shepherd	4.2	12
Airedale Terrier	4.1	13
Alaskan Malamute	4.1	14
Chesapeake Bay Retriever	3.7	15
Boxer	3.7	16
Collie	2.8	17
Labrador Retriever	2	18
English Springer Spaniel	2	19
Samoyed	1.6	20
Dachshund	1.6	21

What causes gastric dilatation and volvulus?

There is not one particular activity that leads to the development of GDV. It appears that it occurs as a combination of events. Studies of the stomach gas that occurs in dilatation have shown that it is similar to the composition of normal room air suggesting that the dilatation occurs as a result of swallowing air. All dogs, and people for that matter, swallow air, but normally we eructate (burp) and release this air and it is not a problem. For some reason that scientists have not yet determined, these dogs that develop bloat do not release this swallowed gas. There is currently several studies looking into what happens physiologically in these dogs that develop GDV.

What are the signs?

The most obvious signs are abdominal distention (swollen belly) and nonproductive vomiting (animal appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up) and retching. Other signs include restlessness, abdominal pain, and rapid shallow breathing. Profuse salivation may indicate severe pain. If the dog's condition continues to deteriorate, especially if volvulus has occurred, the dog may go into shock and become pale, have a weak pulse, a rapid heart rate, and eventually collapse. A dog with gastric dilatation without volvulus can show all of these signs, but the more severe signs are likely to occur in dogs with both dilatation and volvulus.

Age

Dogs over 7 years of age are more than twice as likely to develop gastric dilatation and volvulus as those who are 2-4 years of age.

Gender

Male dogs are twice as likely to develop gastric dilatation and volvulus as females. Neutering does not appear to have an effect on the risk of GDV.

Eating habits

Dogs fed once a day are twice as likely to develop GDV as those fed twice a day. It appears that dogs that eat rapidly or exercise soon after a meal may also be at increased risk.

Temperament

Dogs that tend to be more nervous, anxious, or fearful appear to be at an increased risk of developing GDV.

How is gastric dilatation and volvulus treated?

Once the dog is stabilized, surgery is performed to accomplish three things:

· Assess the health of the stomach and surrounding organs. If areas of the stomach or spleen have been irreversibly damaged, they are removed. In such a case, the chances for recovery are very poor, and euthanasia may be an alternative.

· Properly reposition the stomach

· Suture the stomach in a way to prevent it from twisting again (a procedure called gastropexy). If gastropexy is not performed, 75-80% of dogs will develop GDV again.

How is gastric dilatation and volvulus prevented?

· Large dogs should be fed two or three times daily, rather than once a day.

· Owners of susceptible breeds should be aware of the early signs of bloat.

· Owners of susceptible breeds should develop a good working relationship with a local veterinarian in case emergency care is needed.

· Water should be available at all times, but should be limited immediately after feeding.

· Vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress should be avoided one hour before and two hours after meals.

· Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of three to five days.

· Susceptible dogs should be fed individually and, if possible in a quiet location.

· Dogs that have survived bloat are at an increased risk for future episodes; therefore prophylaxis in the form of preventive surgery or medical management should be discussed with the veterinarian.