SMALL-SIZE OF FOOD PARTICLES AND AGE AS RISK-FACTORS FOR GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULUS IN GREAT DOMES

A case-control study was conducted to investigate whether age, gender, neuter status, type of food, feeding frequency, food intake time, int erval between feeding and exercise, duration of exercise and overall p hysical activity were risk factors for gastric dilatation volvulus (GD V) in the great dane. The sample population consisted of 38 great dome s with acute GDV (cases) and 71 great danes owned by members of the Du tch Great Dome Association (controls). Information on the risk factors was collected by using clinical data in combination with a questionna ire, and the data were analysed by backward stepwise conditional logis tic regression analysis. Dogs fed a diet containing particles of food >30 mm in size (kibble and/or dinner and/or home-prepared food with la rge pieces of meat) had a lower risk of GDV than dogs fed a diet conta ining only particles <30 mm in size (kibble or dinner and/or canned me at and/or home-prepared food cut into small pieces or ground in a food processor). Increasing age was also a risk factor for GDV, Gender, ne uter status, feeding frequency, food intake time, the interval between feeding and exercise, the duration of exercise, and overall physical activity were not identified as risk factors. Feeding a diet including large pieces of meat may help to reduce the incidence of GDV in great danes.