The Great Dane - Breed Nutrition - Royal Canin

Hours
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
a b c d
Miniature
Poodle
Standard
Schnauzer
Giant
Schnauzer
Key reasons for the Great Dane’s
low digestive tolerance
Increased
intestinal
permeability
Prolonged
colon
transit time
Comparison of the total duration of digestive transit in a Great Dane
and dogs of different sizes and breeds
22.9
32.8
Low
absorption
of electrolytes
Increased
fermentation
55.1
Predisposition
of large
dogs to
produce
wet faeces
(From Hernot et al, 2005)
43.2
Great
Dane
These concentrations are higher in Great Danes than in
Miniature Poodles. The higher level of fermentation in
Great Danes is because of the particularly long colon transit
time as mentioned above.
Lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are normally
absorbed by the colon mucosa. When there is a
higher concentration however, as is the case in Great
Danes, they tend to accumulate in the lumen of the large
intestine, with subsequently increased water intake and
increased faecal moisture content.
The Great Dane:
a dog sensitivite to
torsion-dilatation of the stomach
Torsion-dilatation of the stomach is more common in dogs with a deep chest, such as Great Danes
(Ward et al, 2003). Most at risk are males over two years of age, especially if they have an anxious
nature and existing gastric lesions (Bright, 2003; German et al, 2006). The ingestion of a large
quantity of food all at once, excessive speed of ingestion and kibbles that are too small are dieta-
10
The letters (a,b,c and d) represent
significant differences between the groups
(p < 0.05). The total digestive transit time
in Great Danes is almost double
that of Miniature Poodles.
ry factors that can give rise to torsion-dilatation of the stomach (Glickman et al, 1994; Raghavan
et al, 2004). A stress factor in the environment is also likely to increase the risk (Glickman, 1997).
After a meal, the volume of the Great Dane’s stomach can increase to eight litres. Dilatation follows
when the stomach sphincter – the pylorus – does not allow normal emptying of the stomach.
Dilatation is rapidly aggravated by accumulation of gas from the stomach contents along with air
ingested by the dog when it unsuccessfully tries to vomit.
The first signs (agitation, unsuccessful attempts to vomit, abundant salivation) may follow a large
meal preceded or followed by intense physical exercise.
If the stomach does not empty properly, the relative laxity of its attachment to the abdominal wall
may cause it to rotate 180°. This disrupts local circulation, lowers blood pressure and quickly leads
to a state of shock, worsened by the release of toxins produced by the necrosed areas of viscera.
Without rapid surgical intervention, the dog often dies.
Pylorus
Successive stages of dilatation-torsion of the stomach
stage 1 stage 2 stage 3 stage 4
Fundus
Oesophagus
Physiological position of
the stomach. Seen from
behind, the pylorus is at
three o’clock.
Simple dilatation.
The stomach can easily double
in volume. The abdomen is
distended by dilatation.
11
Start of torsion.
Seen from behind, the dilated
stomach turns clockwise and
the pylorus moves ventrally
by 90° to position itself
at six o’clock.
As it continues to tip,
the pylorus is on the left
(at nine o’clock seen from
behind). Most instances
of torsion stop at 180°.