The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
To evaluate/ determine the risk factors for dogs presented with Gastric Dilation- Volvulus (GDV) to a referral veterinary centre and to compare the results with those currently reported in veterinary literature.
The observational case-control study comprised a population of 215 dogs that attended the referral centre between 2000 and 2018. Medical records were searched for GDV and those matching the criteria were manually reviewed. A questionnaire was completed by the owners of the dogs involved in the study (both case and control populations) in order to gain further information that could be considered relevant to GDVs. In particular, information included the dogs’ behaviour and the dogs daily activities.
The study included 115 cases of GDV and 115 controls. Out of the GDV dogs 13% (15/115) were small breed dogs and the remaining 87% (100/115) either large or giant breeds.
The following risk factors for developing a GDV have been identified: Purebred dogs over 3 years old and either large of giant breeds, weighing > 30 kg. Foreign body ingestion, diarrhoea, and grass consumption were also associated to increase the likelihood in developing GDV. Behavioural temperament was not associated with developing GDV.
The findings support previously identified risk factors in the development of GDV, but characteristics related to the dogs temperament warrant further investigation. Knowledge of these results will further allow clinicians to make evidence‐based recommendations to owners in attempting to prevent GDV in dogs. Furthermore this paper confirms that the risk of GDV in certain breeds and in certain conditions is always high and that GDV is still an extremely current disease.
Gastric Dilatation - Volvulus (GDV) is an acute and potentially fatal syndrome that mainly affects large deep-chested dogs, although occasionally it has been reported in small dogs and other species, including cats
Although the exact aetiology of GDV is still unknown, numerous predisposing risk factors have been described
The purpose of this epidemiological survey was to determine whether some of the most commonly claimed risk factors for GDV exist in northern Italy and to ascertain whether there are differences when comparing similar studies conducted, to date, in other countries.
The epidemiological case-control study was conducted at a single veterinary practice (between 2000 and 2018)
To meet the inclusion criteria dogs had to be older than 6 months of age, without previous prophylactic gastropexy. Dogs in the control group had never had a GDV episode. Owners of both GDV cases and control dogs should have completed and signed the questionnaire under direct supervision of the attending clinician.
All GDV dogs were recruited during their presentation to the centre for an acute episode of GDV. On the other hand, control dogs were selected randomly from patients brought into the centre for reasons other than GDV.
The questionnaire consisted of different sections including the owner's data, the dog’s signalment (breed, age, BCS, sex, neutered/intact), the dog’s temperament (shy, balanced, aggressive, or exuberant) as assigned by the owner. Two sections focused on the GDV and included treatments received, whether a previous episode had occurred, the time spent between physical activity and GDV presentation, the elapsed time between a meal and GDV, and the presence of a possible stressful situation before of the onset of the disease. The last part of the questionnaire included questions related to the dog's lifestyle and dietary habits. Both the owner and the veterinarian defined the BCS of the dog, choosing either skinny, thin, ideal weight, overweight, obese. Details of the physical activity performed by the dog during the day and correlation between physical activity and meal were documented. The owner was asked whether the dog was housed in kennels and whether it was used to long journeys. Finally the presence of vomiting/diarrhoea was investigated along with whether the dog was prone to ingesting grass or foreign bodies (
DOG N° | GDV | BREED | SEX | AGE (Years) | NEUTERED | BODY WEIGHT KG | ATTITUDE | FOOD TYPE | N° MEAL PER DAY | FOOD AD LIBITUM | INTAKE OF FOOD TYPE (SPEED) | BOWEL POSITION | BCS | PHISICAL ACTIVITY | FREQUENCY | TIME (Hours) | TIME IN BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MEAL | LONG TRIPS FREQUENCY | KENNEL | VOMIT | DIARRHEA | EATING GRASS? | EATING FOREIGHN BODIES? | NOTE |
1 | Yes | bernese mountain dog | F | 6 | no | 43 | exuberant | dry miostened | 2 | no | fast | rised | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 | 3 h before | regulary | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | grandma died for gdv |
2 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 8 | no | 36 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
3 | Yes | spinone | M | 10 | no | 40 | timid | dry miostened | 2 | no | fast | rised | 4.5 | walk | 2 | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | |||
4 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 11 | no | 40 | timid | dry miostened | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2 | walk | 2 | 1 | 1 h before, 12 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |
5 | Yes | dalmatian | M | 5 | no | 30 | aggressive | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | never | no | never | never | sometimes | yes | |||
6 | Yes | cross breed | M | 6 | yes | 70 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | never | no | never | never | no | no | |||
7 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 11 | yes | 40 | timid | homemade | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |||
8 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 6 | no | 50 | timid | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |||
9 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 9 | no | 40 | exuberant | dry miostened | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 4 h before, 4 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
10 | Yes | great dane | F | 3 | yes | 60 | timid | homemade | 2 | no | voracoius | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | match | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | ||
11 | Yes | boxer | M | 9 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 4.5 | walk | 3 | 1 | occasionally | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | ||
12 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 8 | no | 30 | timid | homemade | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 3 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||
13 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 11 | yes | 25 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
14 | Yes | drathar | F | 9 | yes | 23 | timid | dry | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | occasionally | no | occasionally | never | yes | yes | ||||
15 | Yes | dogue de bordaux | F | 7 | no | 55 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | 1 | half an h before, 4 h later | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | yes | yes | |
16 | Yes | setter gordon | M | 2 | no | 36 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | slow | soil | 2 | walk | 1 | 5 | 1 h before, 3 h later | regulary | yes | never | never | no | no | |
17 | Yes | great dane | M | 6 | no | 74 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 5 | 2 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | yes | ||
18 | Yes | briard | F | 4 | no | 35 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | more than 4 | 5 | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||
19 | Yes | boxer | M | 12 | yes | 30 | exuberant | dry | 1 | no | fast | rised | 2.5 | walk | 4 | 2 | 3 h later | never | yes | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
20 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 11 | yes | 33 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | yes | yes | ||||
21 | Yes | boxer | M | 5 | no | 34 | exuberant | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | run | 4 | 2 | 2 h before, 2 h later | never | no | weekly | never | sometimes | no | |
22 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 2 | yes | 38 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 1 | half an h later | regulary | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
23 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 8 | no | 40 | exuberant | dry | 3 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | run | 3 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |||
24 | Yes | curzar | M | 8 | no | 25 | exuberant | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | 4 | 1 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | ||
25 | Yes | chow chow | M | 8 | no | 28 | timid | homemade | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2 | nothing | never | no | never | never | yes | no | ||||
26 | Yes | brie shepherd | M | 8 | yes | 40 | timid | dry miostened | 2 | no | fast | soil | 3.5 | walk | 1 | 2 | 5 h before, 6 h later | never | no | never | never | yes | no | |
27 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 13 | yes | 40 | timid | homemade | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 3 | never | no | weekly | occasionally | yes | yes | ||
28 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 7 | yes | 40 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | 1 h before, 1 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||
29 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 11 | no | 40 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | ||||
30 | Yes | samoiedo | F | 15 | yes | 30 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | few minutes | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | no | no | ||
31 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 6 | no | 33 | aggressive | dry | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
32 | Yes | Shitzu | F | 16 | yes | 6 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 3.5 | walk | 2 | 0.5 | 6 h before, 4 h later | never | no | weekly | occasionally | no | no | |
33 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 11 | no | 38 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | 4 | 2 | few minutes | occasionally | yes | never | occasionally | no | yes | |
34 | Yes | great dane | M | 3 | no | 60 | timid | dry miostened | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | weekly | occasionally | yes | yes | ||||
35 | Yes | irish setter | M | 8 | no | 30 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 3 | 5 | 8 h later | regulary | no | weekly | occasionally | yes | yes | |
36 | Yes | griffin | M | 14 | yes | 3 | exuberant | dry miostened | 2 | yes | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 1 | 1 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||
37 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 8 | yes | 40 | aggressive | casalingo | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | weekly | never | no | no | ||||
38 | Yes | great dane | M | 7 | yes | 65 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | nothing | occasionally | yes | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
39 | Yes | dobermann | M | 6 | yes | 45 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 3.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | ||||
40 | Yes | sharpei | F | 11 | yes | 18 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 2 | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | ||
41 | Yes | maremma sheepdog | F | 6 | yes | 37 | exuberant | dry miostened | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | 2 | 2 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | |
42 | Yes | collie | M | 10 | no | 25 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | no | yes | ||||
43 | Yes | cross breed | M | 2 | no | 40 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | 1 | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |||
44 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 5 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 0.5 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||
45 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 7 | no | 37 | timid | homemade | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 2 | 1 h before, 1 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
46 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 7 | no | 40 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 1 | never | yes | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | |||
47 | Yes | great dane | F | 5 | no | 50 | timid | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | yes | ||||
48 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 8 | yes | 29 | exuberant | dry | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | ||||
49 | Yes | bernese mountain dog | F | 3 | yes | 48 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | 1 | 1 | 1-2 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
50 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 5 | no | 32 | timid | homemade | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | run | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
51 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 7 | no | 45 | exuberant | homemade | 2 | yes | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
52 | Yes | napolitan mastiff | M | 8 | no | 62 | aggressive | homemade | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | ||||
53 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 7 | yes | 38 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 3 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | ||
54 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 9 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2 | walk | 1 | 1 | never | yes | never | never | sometimes | no | ||
55 | Yes | dobermann | M | 6 | yes | 32 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 1 | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | ||
56 | Yes | cross breed | M | 7 | no | 45 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | ||||
57 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 10 | no | 33 | exuberant | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | weekly | never | sometimes | no | ||||
58 | Yes | boxer | M | 12 | yes | 35 | exuberant | homemade | 1 | no | fast | rised | 2.5 | walk | 0.5 | 6 h before, 6 h later | regulary | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||
59 | Yes | bobtail | M | 11 | no | 40 | timid | homemade | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | run | 3 | 4 | 4-5 h before | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | |
60 | Yes | boxer | M | 7 | yes | 20 | exuberant | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | |||
61 | Yes | english setter | M | 13 | yes | 25 | exuberant | dry miostened | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 1.5 | run | more than 4 | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |||
62 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 10 | yes | 27 | exuberant | dry miostened | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | yes | no | ||||
63 | Yes | akita inu | M | 9 | yes | 30 | timid | wet | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | ||||
64 | Yes | rhodesian ridgback | M | 9 | no | 40 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | nothing | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | ||||
65 | Yes | terranova | F | 11 | no | 52 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 3 | 3 h before | never | no | never | never | yes | yes | |
66 | Yes | samoiedo | M | 9 | yes | 35 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 3 | 2 | 1 h and a half later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
67 | Yes | chow chow | F | 2 | no | 25 | aggressive | homemade | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 1 | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||
68 | Yes | boxer | M | 1 | no | 35 | aggressive | dry miostened | 1 | yes | fast | soil | 4.5 | nothing | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
69 | Yes | napolitan mastiff | M | 10 | no | 50 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | 2 | 1 | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | ||
70 | Yes | italian hound | M | 4 | yes | 18 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 2 | nothing | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
71 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 9 | no | 30 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | fast | soil | 3.5 | nothing | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
72 | Yes | schnauzer | M | 6 | no | 40 | timid | homemade | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 h bfore | regulary | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||
73 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 2 | no | 40 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 3 | regulary | no | never | never | yes | no | ||
74 | Yes | dobermann | M | 8 | yes | 38 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | voracious | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | rarely | never | never | no | no | ||||
75 | Yes | cross breed | F | 9 | no | 20 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | fast | soil | 1.5 | living outside | occasionally | rarely | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
76 | Yes | great dane | M | 3 | no | 70 | timid | dry | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | never | yes | occasionally | never | yes | no | |||
77 | Yes | saint bernard | M | 6.5 | no | 70 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | voracoius | rised | 3.5 | walk | 2 | 1 | occasionally | no | never | never | yes | yes | ||
78 | Yes | great dane | M | 7 | no | 70 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 3.5 | walk | 2 | 3 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | ||
79 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 5 | no | 42 | exuberant | dry | 2 | yes | slow | rised | 2.5 | run | 1 | 4 | 2 h before, 2 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
80 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 7 | no | 37 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2 | run | 4 | 4 | regulary | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | ||
81 | Yes | greyhound | F | 10 | no | 30 | timid | homemade | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | 4 | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||
82 | Yes | dobermann | F | 8 | no | 30 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 4 | 2 | mezz'ora prima | never | no | weekly | occasionally | no | no | |
83 | Yes | brie shepherd | M | 4 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | yes | no | ||||
84 | Yes | alaskan malamute | M | 11 | no | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2 | walk | 3 | 2 | regulary | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | yes | ||
85 | Yes | terranova | M | 9 | no | 60 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |||
86 | Yes | rottweiller | F | 5 | yes | 40 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | yes | ||||
87 | Yes | cane corso | M | 6 | no | 60 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2 | run | more than 4 | 4 | half a h before, 4 h later | regulary | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |
88 | Yes | cross breed | M | 6 | no | 30 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | 2 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | ||
89 | Yes | boxer | F | 7 | no | 20 | timid | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | never | no | occasionally | never | no | no | ||||
90 | Yes | cross breed | M | 12 | yes | 44 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | regulary | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
91 | Yes | dobermann | F | 7 | no | 30 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2 | walk | 1 | 1 | 3 h before | occasionally | no | occasionally | weekly | yes | no | |
92 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 13 | yes | 26 | timid | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | 3 | never | no | occasionally | never | no | no | gdv last year, no surgery | |
93 | Yes | great dane | M | 9 | no | 75 | balanced | dry miostened | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | never | yes | yes | ||||
94 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 3 | yes | 44 | aggressive | homemade | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |||
95 | Yes | cross breed | F | 7 | yes | 26 | exuberant | homemade | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 2 | living outside | regulary | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
96 | Yes | dobermann | M | 10 | no | 35 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
97 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 5 | no | 40 | exuberant | homemade | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 | 1 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | yes | yes | gdv 2 years later, no vet treatment |
98 | Yes | chow chow | M | 11 | no | 30 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 0.5 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||
99 | Yes | chow chow | M | 13 | no | 30 | aggressive | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | 4 | 12 h later | occasionally | yes | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
100 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 11 | no | 33 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | run | 3 | 3 | 1 h before, 4 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
101 | Yes | great dane | F | 4 | no | 50 | timid | dry miostened | 3 | no | fast | soil | 1.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | ||||
102 | Yes | cane corso | M | 7 | no | 40 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | more than 4 | 1 | 1 h before, 1 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | yes | |
103 | Yes | dachshund | F | 12 | no | 10 | aggressive | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 4 | half a h before, half a h later | never | no | occasionally | never | no | no | ||
104 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 11 | no | 35 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | 2 | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||
105 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 12 | no | 35 | aggressive | dry miostened | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |||
106 | Yes | bavarian hound | F | 8 | yes | 20 | aggressive | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
107 | Yes | maremma sheepdog | M | 8 | no | 55 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 3 | 1 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | |
108 | Yes | leonberger | M | 9 | no | 70 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | run | 1 | 1 | 2 h later | occasionally | yes | never | occasionally | yes | yes | |
109 | Yes | german shepherd | M | 6 | no | 40 | timid | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 2 h before, 2 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | no | no | |
110 | Yes | italian hound | F | 13 | no | 30 | timid | homemade | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 2 | walk | 1 | 1 | 3 h later | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
111 | Yes | dobermann | M | 8 | no | 30 | exuberant | dry miostened | 3 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | run | 2 | 1 | 2 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
112 | Yes | great dane | M | 2 | no | 70 | timid | dry miostened | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2 | nothing | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
113 | Yes | dalmatian | M | 5 | no | 20 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 1.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | yes | ||||
114 | Yes | german shepherd | F | 7 | yes | 35 | timid | dry | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
115 | Yes | great dane | F | 7 | no | 75 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | slow | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | yes | no | ||||
116 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 2 | no | 45 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | nothing | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
117 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 4 | yes | 50 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
118 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 3 | yes | 44 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | 1 | 2 | 1 h before, 1 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
119 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 7 | yes | 45 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 1.5 | 1 h before | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | grandma died for gdv |
120 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 1.5 | no | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |||
121 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 4 | no | 52 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | slow | rised | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | 4 | 1 h before, 1 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |
122 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 7 | yes | 45 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 3 h before | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
123 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 7 | yes | 38 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | occasionally | no | occasionally | never | no | no | ||
124 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 1 | no | 35 | balanced | dry miostened | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | never | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |||
125 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 1.5 | no | 36 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 | 2 h before, 2 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
126 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 3 | no | 36 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 1 | 3 h before, 3 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
127 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 2 | no | 41 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | fast | rised | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 | 2 h before, 2 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
128 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 3 | no | 50 | exuberant | homemade | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 6 h before | never | yes | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | ||
129 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 1.5 | yes | 35 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 1 | 1 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
130 | No | argentine dogo | F | 8 | yes | 50 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 3 | 3 h before | occasionally | yes | never | never | no | no | |
131 | No | great dane | M | 8 | no | 60 | exuberant | dry | 2 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | run | 1 | 2 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||
132 | No | irish setter | F | 8 | no | 20 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | yes | never | never | sometimes | sometimes | ||||
133 | No | cross breed | F | 1 | no | 25 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | 1 | 2 | 3 h before | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
134 | No | boxer | M | 4 | no | 36 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 1 | half a h later | regulary | yes | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
135 | No | akita inu | F | 9 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 0.5 | 1 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |
136 | No | great dane | F | 4 | no | 50 | timid | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
137 | No | german shepherd | M | 2 | no | 34 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | nothing | never | no | never | never | yes | yes | ||||
138 | No | cross breed | F | 10 | yes | 45 | timid | dry miostened | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | more than 4 | 2 | suddenly after the meal | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
139 | No | german shepherd | F | 8 | yes | 34 | timid | dry miostened | 1 | no | fast | soil | 3.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
140 | No | rottweiler | M | 2 | no | 46 | balanced | homemade | 1 | yes | fast | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 2 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |||
141 | No | french bulldog | M | 7 | yes | 12 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | regulary | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | ||
142 | No | border collie | M | 9 | no | 27 | exuberant | dry miostened | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | run | more than 4 | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |||
143 | No | boxer | M | 1,5 | no | 25 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | slow | soil | 2 | walk | 2 | 3 | 2 h later | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
144 | No | alaskan malamut | M | 11 | yes | 55 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | 1 | 0.5 | 5 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
145 | No | greyhound | F | 8 | yes | 20 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
146 | No | cross breed | M | 8 | yes | 30 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
147 | No | rottweiler | M | 11 | no | 60 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
148 | No | golden retriver | F | 6 | no | 35 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 3.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 2 h later | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
149 | No | alaskan malamut | M | 3 | no | 39 | aggressive | homemade | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | ||||
150 | No | french bulldog | M | 4 | no | 15 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 5 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | |
151 | No | cross breed | M | 10 | yes | 12 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 0.5 | 3 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | |
152 | No | dwarf dachshund | M | 6 | no | 6,5 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 1 h later | occasionally | no | occasionally | never | no | no | |
153 | No | border collie | F | 4 | yes | 25 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | |||
154 | No | beagle | M | 11 | no | 23 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 4 | 0.25 | half a h later | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
155 | No | terranova | F | 14 | yes | 40 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
156 | No | dobermann | M | 13 | no | 55 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
157 | No | maremma sheepdog | M | 14 | no | 65 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
158 | No | rottweiler | F | 13 | yes | 40 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
159 | No | great dane | F | 7 | yes | 65 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 3 | regulary | no | never | occasionally | no | no | |||
160 | No | great dane | M | 5 | no | 70 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 3 | regulary | no | never | occasionally | no | no | |||
161 | No | cane corso | F | 5 | yes | 65 | aggressive | homemade | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
162 | No | maremma sheepdog | F | 15 | yes | 50 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
163 | No | beagle | M | 8 | no | 20 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 2 | 2 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | |
164 | No | golden retriver | F | 8 | yes | 27 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 6 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
165 | No | cane corso | M | 13 | yes | 37 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | yes | no | ||||
166 | No | cross breed | M | 10 | no | 13 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 0.5 | suddenly after the meal | regulary | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
167 | No | border collie | F | 12 | yes | 25 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 | suddenly after the meal | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
168 | No | cross breed | F | 13 | yes | 21 | esuberanteex | wet | 1 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 1 h before | regulary | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
169 | No | dobermann | M | 2 | no | 57 | timid | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 0.5 | 2 h later | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
170 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 2 | no | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | nothing | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
171 | No | bernese mountain dog | F | 1 | no | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 3 | 1 h before, 1 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
172 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 4 | yes | 50 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2 | walk | 2 | 1 | 1 h before | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
173 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 4 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 3 | 2 h before, 2 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
174 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 2 | no | 50 | balanced | dry miostened | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 2 h later | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | no | no | |
175 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 2 | no | 55 | balanced | dry | 3 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 2 h before, 2 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
176 | No | bernese mountain dog | M | 3 | yes | 40 | balanced | dry miostened | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 1.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||
177 | No | irish setter | F | 8 | yes | 25 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | occasionally | no | no | ||||
178 | No | english setter | F | 8 | yes | 25 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
179 | No | cross breed | F | 6 | no | 15 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 1 | 2 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | |
180 | No | german shepherd | F | 7 | yes | 43 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
181 | No | german shepherd | M | 5 | no | 52 | esuberanteex | dry | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
182 | No | golden retriver | M | 1 | no | 32 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | run | 4 | 4 | 2 h later | regulary | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
183 | No | great dane | F | 7 | yes | 60 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 1 | 3 h later | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | |
184 | No | czechoslovakian wolf | M | 5 | no | 36 | aggressive | dry miostened | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 2 | 2 h before | occasionally | no | occasionally | occasionally | no | no | |
185 | No | labrador retriver | M | 7 | no | 35 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | rised | 3.5 | walk | 2 | 1 | 1 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
186 | No | german shepherd | F | 8 | yes | 34 | timid | dry miostened | 1 | no | fast | soil | 3.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
187 | No | leonbergher | M | 8 | no | 60 | balanced | dry miostened | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
188 | No | cross breed | M | 0.5 | no | 17 | balanced | miscellaneous | 2 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 1 | 4 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
189 | No | german shepherd | M | 9 | no | 33 | balanced | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 4 h later | occasionally | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||
190 | No | cross breed | M | 2 | no | 11 | balanced | dry | 2 | yes | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 3 | 2 | 3 h later | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
191 | No | hound | M | 3 | no | 23 | timid | dry | 2 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 3 | 1 h before, 1 h later | never | no | never | occasionally | no | no | |
192 | No | czechoslovakian wolf | F | 1 | no | 23 | exuberant | dry | 3 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 3 | 1 h later | occasionally | yes | weekly | occasionally | no | yes | |
193 | No | english setter | M | 1,5 | no | 22 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | yes | ||||
194 | No | pittbull | M | 4 | no | 30 | timid | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | no | ||||
195 | No | german shepherd | M | 0.58 | no | 28 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | yes | no | ||||
196 | No | german shepherd | F | 0.5 | yes | 18 | exuberant | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | occasionally | no | no | ||||
197 | No | sharpei | M | 15 | no | 18 | aggressive | dry | 1 | yes | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 0.5 | 8 h before | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
198 | No | labrador retriver | F | 7 | yes | 28 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | nothing | never | no | never | never | yes | no | ||||
199 | No | husky | M | 15 | no | 23 | balanced | wet | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | walk | 3 | 2 | 2 h before | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | |
200 | No | weimaraner | M | 1 | no | 26 | exuberant | wet | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | walk | 4 | 0.25 | 2 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | |
201 | No | beagle | F | 10 | yes | 14 | timid | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 1 | 3 h before | occasionally | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | sometimes | |
202 | No | german shepherd | F | 7 | yes | 32 | balanced | homemade | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 2 | 2 h later | never | no | never | never | no | sometimes | |
203 | No | hound | M | 6 | no | 17 | timid | dry | 1 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 1 | 1 h before, 2 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
204 | No | dalmatian | F | 9 | no | 20 | exuberant | dry | 3 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 1 | 2 h before, 2 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
205 | No | dalmatian | M | 9 | no | 29 | exuberant | dry | 3 | no | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 1 | 2 h before, 2 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
206 | No | husky | F | 1 | no | 20 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | slow | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
207 | No | husky | M | 1 | no | 27 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | voracious | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
208 | No | husky | F | 2 | no | 21 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | yes | never | never | no | no | |
209 | No | husky | M | 2 | no | 27 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | yes | never | never | no | no | |
210 | No | german shepherd | M | 6 | no | 40 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | yes | never | never | no | no | |
211 | No | border collie | M | 4 | no | 25 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | occasionally | no | never | never | no | no | |
212 | No | spinone cross | M | 2 | no | 35 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | voracious | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
213 | No | german shepherd | F | 10 | no | 30 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | no | never | never | yes | no | |
214 | No | pittbull | F | 1 | no | 25 | balanced | dry | 1 | yes | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 1 | 0.5 | 2 h before | never | no | never | never | no | no | |
215 | No | boxer | F | 9 | no | 30 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 4 | 0.5 | 1 h later | occasionally | no | never | occasionally | sometimes | sometimes | |
216 | No | labrador cross | M | 8 | yes | 30 | exuberant | homemade | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
217 | No | afghan greyhound | M | 12 | yes | 30 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 2 | 0.5 | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||
218 | No | afghan greyhound | F | 2 | yes | 15 | timid | homemade | 2 | no | normal | rised | 1.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
219 | No | afghan greyhound | M | 10 | yes | 30 | exuberant | homemade | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
220 | No | afghan greyhound | M | 9 | yes | 30 | balanced | wet | 2 | no | fast | rised | 2.5 | living outside | 2 | 0.5 | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||
221 | No | malinois cross | M | 1 | yes | 24 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
222 | No | labrador cross | M | 5 | yes | 30 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
223 | No | australian shepherd | M | 2 | no | 35 | balanced | homemade | 2 | yes | fast | soil | 2.5 | living outside | 2 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no | |||
224 | No | labrador retriver | M | 1 | no | 30 | balanced | dry | 3 | no | slow | rised | 2.5 | walk | 4 | 2 | 1 h later | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | |
225 | No | german shepherd | F | 3 | yes | 42 | timid | dry | 1 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | nothing | never | no | never | never | no | no | ||||
226 | No | weimaraner | F | 4 | no | 30 | timid | dry | 2 | no | voracious | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | never | never | sometimes | no | ||||
227 | No | german shepherd | M | 4 | no | 40 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | living outside | never | no | occasionally | never | sometimes | no | ||||
228 | No | german shepherd | F | 10 | no | 35 | timid | homemade | 2 | no | fast | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 2 | 3 h before | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | yes | no | |
229 | No | boxer | M | 10 | yes | 35 | balanced | dry | 2 | no | normal | soil | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 1 | 3 h later | never | no | occasionally | occasionally | sometimes | no | |
230 | No | boxer | F | 5 | yes | 30 | balanced | homemade | 2 | no | normal | rised | 2.5 | walk | 1 | 2 | 2 h later | never | no | never | never | no | no |
Statistical analysis, performed using statistical software R. Data was merged making non-dichotomous variables into dichotomous variables. For example, for the "food intake speed" parameter, the owner could choose between four answers: slow, normal, quick, voracious. The data was then grouped in slow/normal (Group 1) and fast/voracious (Group 2), using the Pivot tables. This procedure was carried out for all non-dichotomous variables (i.e. those variables for which the answer did not include a simple YES/NO but a scale of values). These variables were: the speed of food intake; temperament of the dog, type of feeding, position of the bowl, number of meals, type and frequency of physical activity, presence of episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhoea, tendency to eat foreign bodies, tendency to consume grass, stay in kennels, and whether it was used to long journeys.
Once all dichotomous variables were rendered, each parameter was entered in 2x2 contingency tables. For some variables, several 2x2 tables were created, for example 4 tables were created for physical activity including the possibility to carry out physical activity, the possibility to carry out physical activity before the meal, the possibility to carry out physical activity after the meal, possibility to perform physical activity before and after the meal.
From the 2x2 contingency tables the following values were calculated: OR, ES, OR MIN and OR MAX. OR is a statistical value that represents the relationship between sick and exposed subjects and the healthy and exposed subjects. It is calculated as (a/c)/(b/d), ie (cases/non-cases) exposed/(cases/non-cases) not exposed. (
Variabile | GDV 115/230 | CONTROL 115/230 | TOT CASES 230 | TOT CONTROLS 115/230 | OR | OR MIN | OR MAX | ES | Pvalue |
SIZE – large+giant breed, n | 100 | 85 | 115 | 115 | 2,35 | 1,19 | 4,66 | 0,35 | 0,0200 |
BREED - pure breed, n | 109 | 94 | 115 | 115 | 4,06 | 1,57 | 10,48 | 0,48 | 0,0041 |
SEX - male | 76 | 65 | 115 | 115 | 1,50 | 0,88 | 2,56 | 0,27 | 0,1758 |
AGE - > 3 years of age | 103 | 75 | 115 | 115 | 4,58 | 2,25 | 9,32 | 0,36 | 0,00002 |
SEX - intact | 73 | 68 | 115 | 115 | 1,20 | 0,71 | 2,04 | 0,27 | 0,5881 |
WEIGHT - >30 kg | 79 | 61 | 115 | 115 | 1,94 | 1,13 | 3,33 | 0,27 | 0,0216 |
TEMPER – shy oraggressive nature | 27 | 27 | 82 | 106 | 1,44 | 0,76 | 2,71 | 0,32 | 0,3382 |
FEEDING only dry or wet food | 93 | 84 | 115 | 115 | 1,56 | 0,84 | 2,90 | 0,31 | 0,2103 |
FEEDING with dry food | 41 | 22 | 115 | 115 | 2,34 | 1,28 | 4,27 | 0,30 | 0,0078 |
FEEDING moistened dry food | 31 | 19 | 115 | 115 | 1,86 | 0,98 | 3,54 | 0,32 | 0,0374 |
FEEDING once daily | 62 | 44 | 114 | 114 | 1,90 | 1,12 | 3,21 | 0,26 | 0,0240 |
FEEDING available all day long | 32 | 27 | 112 | 113 | 1,27 | 0,70 | 2,31 | 0,30 | 0,5183 |
FEEDING Rapid+Voraciuous eating | 69 | 38 | 115 | 115 | 3,04 | 1,77 | 5,21 | 0,27 | 0,0731 |
BOWL POSITION – on the ground | 105 | 92 | 115 | 115 | 2,63 | 1,19 | 5,80 | 0,40 | 0,0240 |
BODY CONDITION – overweight or obese | 12 | 8 | 115 | 115 | 1,56 | 0,61 | 3,97 | 0,47 | 0,4827 |
EXERCISE- | 81 | 67 | 115 | 115 | 1,71 | 0,99 | 1,96 | 0,27 | 0,0735 |
EXERCISE >once daily | 49 | 38 | 66 | 75 | 2,81 | 1,37 | 5,73 | 0,36 | 0,0069 |
EXERCISE before the meal | 26 | 34 | 43 | 67 | 1,48 | 0,68 | 3,23 | 0,27 | 0,4222 |
EXERCISE after the meal | 76 | 65 | 115 | 115 | 1,50 | 0,88 | 2,56 | 0,27 | 0,1758 |
EXERCISE before and after the meal | 16 | 12 | 43 | 67 | 2,72 | 1,13 | 6,54 | 0,44 | 0,0411 |
NOT USED TO LONG TRIPS | 81 | 72 | 115 | 115 | 1,42 | 0,82 | 2,47 | 0,28 | 0,2637 |
USED TO KENNELS/DOGHOUSES | 11 | 8 | 115 | 115 | 1,41 | 0,55 | 3,66 | 0,48 | 0,6319 |
VOMITING | 75 | 33 | 115 | 115 | 4,66 | 2,67 | 8,13 | 0,28 | 0,0001 |
DIARRHEA | 51 | 36 | 115 | 115 | 1,75 | 1,02 | 3,00 | 0,27 | 0,0570 |
EATING FOREIGN BODIES | 54 | 23 | 115 | 115 | 3,54 | 1,97 | 6,36 | 0,29 | 0,0277 |
EATING GRASS | 93 | 68 | 115 | 115 | 2,92 | 1,61 | 5,30 | 0,30 | 0,0006 |
The values OR MIN and OR MAX indicate the confidence interval, that is, define how much the OR value represents the estimate of a real value. The confidence interval makes it possible to verify the statistical significance of the results: if it contains the value 1, the null hypothesis is satisfied (ie that there is no difference between exposed or non-exposed subjects to risk factors). If the confidence interval does not contain the value 1, the null hypothesis is rejected, i.e. the alternative hypothesis is accepted, which states that there is a difference between exposed and non-exposed subjects to the risk factor, so that the OR value is significant (
|
After calculating the OR value of each variable, χ2-tests were performed; p values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
In total, 86.9% (100/115) of dogs presented with GDV were large/giant breeds while only 13.1% (15/115) were medium/small breeds. Among the control dogs, 54.84% (85/155) were large-giant breeds and 19.35% (30/155) medium/small breeds. In total, 94.7% of GDV dogs and 81.7% of control dogs were purebred dogs. Out of 115 cases, 76 GDV dogs (66%) were male and 39 (34%) female. The control group consisted of 65 (56.5 %) male and 50 (43.4 %) female dogs. Most dogs were older than three years of age, 93% (108/115) of GDV dogs and 71.3% (82/115) of control dogs. Most dogs had a low to normal BCS, 90% of GDV dogs and 93% of control dogs respectively and 68.6% of GDV dogs (79 /115) and 65% (75/115) of control dogs were > 30 kg.
The majority of GDV dogs (76.6%) had a balanced temperament, whereas 23.4% were classified as being shy, aggressive or having an exuberant character.
When considering diet as a variable, 19% of GDV dogs (22/115) consumed a combination of commercial and homemade diet, while the remainder 81% (93/115) were either fed only a commercial diet or a homemade only diet. On the other hand, in the control dog group 26.9% (31/115) of dogs received a combination of commercial and homemade diet. (OR = 1,56, CL 95% = 0,84 – 2,90 and P = 0,2).A total of 230 animals consumed dry food, 64.3% (74/115) GDV dogs and 80.8% (93/115) of control dogs, respectively, and 73. 1 % cases (84/115) and 83.5% controls (96/115) ) were fed dry food. Form these data results a positive statistic association between the dry food diet and the developpement of GDV (OR=2,34 CL 95%=1,28-4,77 and P=0,007). Overall, 62/115 (53.91%) GDV dogs were only fed once a day versus 44/115 (38.26%) control dogs. For this epidemiological variable too results a positive statistic association (OR = 1,90 CL 95% = 1, 12 – 3,21 and P = 0,02).
Out of a total of 230 animals, 13,9 % (32 / 230) GDV dogs and 11.7% (27 / 230) controls dogs had access to food throughout the day ad libitum; 69, 5 % (80 / 115) DGV dogs and 74,7 % (86 / 115) had not access to food throughout the day and ad libitum. Statistic analysis of these data did not show a valid and true association between our results and the development of GDV (OR 0 = 1,27 CL 95% = 0, 70 - 2,31 P = 0,5).
The analysis of meal intake rates showed that 40% of GDV dogs (46 / 115 ) and 66% of control dogs (38 /115) consumed their meal slowly, while 60% of affected cases (69/115) and 34% of controls (38/115) eat the meal quickly or voraciously. This trend would be a positive risk factor for development of GDV. However even if OR = 3,04 and CL 95% = 1,77 – 5,21 the result is not supported by a P Value that defines the statistically valid association ( P = 0,07)
About the position of the bowel, the 91,4 % (105/115) of GDV dogs was fed with the bowl on the ground, whereas only the 8, 6 % (10/115). Between controls 80% (92/115) consume the meal with bowl on the ground and 20% (23/115) with raised bowl. Final data (OR= 2,63 95%CL = 1,19 – 5,80 and P = 0,02) define de statistically valid association.
Cases and controls were compared according to two groups of BSC: obese or overweight subjects (group 1) and thin or weight-form subjects (group 2). 10% of cases (12 / 115) were assigned in group 1, while the remaining 90% (103 / 115) was assigend to group 2. In the control sample the 6,9% (115/8) was overweight-obese and 93% (107/115) was thin or weight-form. The result is OR = 3.97, but CL 95% = 0.61-3.97 and P = 0.4 for which there is no statistically valid association.
Noumerous are the data obtained regarding the study as a possible risk factor for GDV. Out of 115 GDV dogs, 70.5% (81/115) performed physical activity during daytime (they are considered dogs that live in the garden and/or are taken on a walk by the owner), versus 50.5% (34/115) of control dogs considered sedentary animals, living in an apartment or at home without having access to the outside or animals that are not regularly walked by the owner. In this case, even if OR = 1.71, CL 95% = 0.99-1.96 and negative Chi square test (P = 0.07), the association is statistically significant.
Among the dogs performing physical activity, 74.2% (49/66 )GDV dogs and 50.6% (38/75) control dogs performed physical activity more than once daily. For this variable, OR is calculated equal to 2.81, CL 95% = 1.37-5.73 and P = 0.006 for which the statistical test is valid and there is an evident association between this variable and the GDV.
About physical activity compared to meal timing, we report that 60% of GDV dogs (69/115) did physical activity before the meal and the 40% (46/115) did not before and that 58% (67/115) of control group did activity before meals compared to the 28,6% (33/115) that did not. Our statistical analysis with OR = 1,48 CL 95% = 0,68 – 3,23 and P = 0,04% show that our results are not statistically valid. Regarding potential stress factors, 29.5% of GDV dogs (34/115) and 37.3% (43/115) of control dogs were used to join the owner on long journeys and trips by car. In total, 9.57% of GDV (11/115 ) dogs and 6.96% of control dogs (8/115) were used to staying in pensions or kennels. With values of OR=1,41, CL 95%=0,55-3,66 e P=0,6 not event this statistical analysis is significant for developping of GDV. In 65.2% of GDV dogs (72/115) there was a history of frequent vomiting, while only 28.6% of control dogs (33/115) had regular episodes of vomiting (OR= 2,63 95%CL = 1,19 – 5,80 and P = 0,02). Episodes of diarrhea were reported in 44.3% (51/115) of GDV dogs and 31.3% of control dogs (36/115) , respectively (OR=1,75, CL 95%=1,02-3 e P=0,057). Ingestion of foreign was present in 38.2% of GDV dogs (44/115) and in 20% of control dogs (23/115). Finally, 80.8% of GDV dogs (93/115) and 59.1% of control dogs (68/115) were reported to ingest grass or foreign bodies (OR=3,54, CL 95%=1,97-6,36 e P=0,02). Due to these 3 last results listed above as predisposing factors (vomiting, dhiarrea and foreign bodies) and consideting the results we can conclude that all three have a statistical positive significance.
In
Purebred dogs are also statistically significantly more likely to develop GDV, with an OR of 4.06. Dogs older than three years of age and dogs over 30 kg are also at increased risk, with OR of 4.58 and 1.94, respectively. Regarding food, a positive statistical association was found between dogs receiving dry food and the development of GDV (OR = 2.34). Dogs that only receive one meal a day, and dogs that consume the meal from a bowl on the floor are at increased risk (OR= 1.90 and 2.63, respectively). There was a trend of fast eating being a risk factors, however this revealed to not be statistically significant. Dogs performing daily activity, dogs that have physical activity several times daily, and dogs that perform physical activity around the meal are at increased risk of developing GDV (OR = 1.71, 2.81, and 2.72, respectively). A strong association was found between dogs having regular episodes of vomiting and GDV and also between dogs having regularly diarrhea and the development of GDV (OR = 4.66 and OR = 1.75, respectively). Ingestion of foreign bodies and ingestion of grass were likewise risk factors for the development of GDV (OR = 3.54 and OR = 2.92, respectively).
This case-control study revealed several predisposing risk factors for the development of GDV in this population of dogs which are similar to risk factors previously described. The results support the data from existing literature that there is a significant difference between large/giant breed dogs and medium-small dogs
In this study there was little difference between the occurrence of GDV in large or giant breeds. This correlates with other studies which have previously found no significant difference between the incidence of GDV between large and giant breeds. In this study German Shepherd (51dogs/115), Great Dane (14 dogs/115) and Dobermann (8 dogs/115) were the most represented breeds. Other breeds exhibiting disease include: Akita Inu, Bobtail, Boxer, Bernese Mountain Dog, Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Dogue de Bordeaux, Drahthaar, Greyhound, Leonberger, Neapolitan Mastiff, Shepherd of Brie, Shepherd of Maremma, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Giant Schnauzer, Bavarian Hound, Italian Hound, Setter Gordon, Irish Setter and Newfoundland.
Purebred dogs are reported to present a significant risk factor for GDV
Weight is also reported to represent a significant risk factor
Schellenberg et al. found female dogs present a higher risk for GDV than male dogs
Although GDV syndrome can affect young dogs, the risk increases significantly with increasing age
The occurrence of stress to the dog in the 8 hour time period before the gastric torsion-dilatation episode thus supports the theory that the dog's temperament poses a risk factor for disease
One study found that having food available throughout the day increased the incidence of 13% in large sizes and 55% in giant breeds
When environmental factors are considered, the administration of food in a bowl raised from the ground significantly increases the risk of developing GDV
The study data agrees with the finding reported in most of the literature that dogs fed only once a day are more predisposed to develop the disease compared to dogs that consume more meals in a day
Regarding vomiting, Elwood et Al.
Despite the complexity of the risk factors, it is possible to reduce the incidence of GDV in high-risk breeds by observing some precautions
Feeding with dry commercial food alone may not be a well suited choice for dogs at risk
There are still doubts about the role of physical activity; according to some authors, the intense physical activity should be reduced in the two hours after the meal
Owners of dogs of the breeds more predisposed to the disease should also be advised to restrict access to foreign material as much as possible, as the presence of a FB at the gastric level increases the possibility of developing GDV.
Regarding other aspects, it would certainly be useful for purebred clubs to work closely with researchers and veterinary surgeons to better identify specific morphometric and genetic factors that predispose certain dogs to the development of GDV
In a case-control study, the case group and the control group are selected on the basis of the outcome (ie, having the disease of interest compared to not having the disease) and comparing the two groups with respect to their previous exposure frequencies to possible risk factors. Recruitment of subjects is specifically chosen by groups of subjects with or without the disease of interest
Conversely there are also advantages of this type of study. It is inexpensive, useful and effective for investigating a infrequently occurring disease. The clinician was also able to access a lot data from a single subject. Interviews with one owner granted information on signalling, eating habits and lifestyle.
Nonetheless, the case-control study is very sensitive to BIAS (or distortion). This term means the difference between the estimate obtained from the sample and the true characteristic of the population. To avoid a distortion in the identification and quantification of risk factors, it would be useful to match the cases with controls that are as similar as possible (for example the same age, sex and breed) using a procedure called "matching"
In this study several risk factors have been identified for GDV development. These include; large and giant dogs, purebred dogs, dogs over 3 years old, a weight>30 kg, a diet which consists of commercial dry food, the ingestion of foreign bodies and grass, a history of episodes of diarrhoea and/or vomiting, exercise more than once a day and both before and after the meal, the consumption of a single daily meal and the speed of food intake.
On the contrary, neither sex nor the status of the subject (integer/neutered), temperament, BCS and the habit of long journeys or to stay in pensions or kennels are to be considered risk factors.
This study concludes that the risk of GDV in certain breeds and in certain conditions remains high. Since GDV continues to be an extremely current disease it is important that risk factors are understood. Although consideration should be given to both the complexity of the risk factors and the etiopathogenesis of GDV, the author suggests it is not possible to prevent this syndrome by acting solely on the risk factors. The only safe method to prevent the disease is preventive gastropexy
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this article.
Not applicable
Not applicable
The authors declare that there were no funding and support for the study.
GDV - Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
SIRS - Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
MODS - Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
DIC - Disseminated Intravascular oagulation
BCS - Body condition score
FB - Foreign Body
OR – Odds Ratio
ES – Effect Size
OR MIN – Odds Radio Minimal
OR MAX – Odds Ratio Maxima
TOT – Total