Took one of my AKC German Shepherds, 3 years old, to the Vet today for her shots. She's 126 pounds. He doesn't think she's overweight because she's very tall and her feet are as big as my hands. Anyway, she now outweighs me.

I asked him about bloat - I did have a GSD that bloated and surgery did save his life but it was real touch and go and I worry about this dog all the time of her size. She's very barrel chested.

I am careful not to let her run after she eats and so I feed them at night and then they are in the house. I live on a fenced acre and they run pretty much all day long.

Vet said that he isn't sure that eating and then running causes bloat and he thinks it's more hereditary. I have no idea because, although she's a rescue, I got her when she was 6 weeks old - she does have AKC papers but I can't find the breeder.

The Vet suggested surgery to "staple" her stomach to her ribs as a preventative. He said he now recommends the procedure when the dog is spayed. She was spayed when she was a puppy.

Yikes!

I said I would have to think about it - now I'm trying to read up on the procedure and no two sites say the same thing.

Anyone have any info or first-hand knowledge?

There is a lot of information on bloat in dogs but there is not any concrete evidence about what cause it. I also have a GSD and had bloat about 6 years ago. He had surgery and the vet did attach his stomach and no problems since.

My vet explained that while many things could contribute such as swimming ,eating to fast, heavy activity after eating. There was no proof of a specific cause he said sometimes it just happens .And it is possibly a hereditary trait.

I would talk to another vet about surgery before an incident that may or may not happen.
Most vets will not operate unless it is needed as there is always a risk to the dog.