We want to stress the importance of waiting at least 2 hours after feeding your dogs before exercising them, or even allowing them to run around the yard. The reason for this is because dogs can experience what is known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) complex, more commonly known as "bloat". Bloat is a VERY serious ailment that can onset very quickly and can often be fatal. Although bloat can potentially affect any dog, generally, breeds with deep, narrow chests, and taller skinny breeds like GSD, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes tend to be most prone to it.
Although it is not known exactly how bloat occurs, what is known is that ultimately the dog's stomach flips, causing potentially fatal complications in the dog. By the stomach flipping, air fills the stomach causing pressure to build, stopping blood from the hind legs and abdomen from returning to the heart. This could cause the dog to go into a state of shock.
Another possibility is that when the stomach flips, it can drag the spleen and pancreas along with it cutting off blood flow. Under stress, the pancreas can produce a toxic hormone that can target the heart and stop it cold.
Some of the signs of bloat in a dog can be a sudden enlargement of the abdomen, gagging, salivation, restlessness and whining when it's belly is pressed. If any of these signs are noticed, you should get your dog to the vet IMMEDIATELY, as bloat is very serious and every minute that this is going on can potentially be life threatening. Usually, immediate surgery is necessary to fix the issue.
Dogs who eat very fast are much more prone to bloat, and so using slow feeders, or perhaps feeding dogs separately as to not give them anxiety that could lead to them eating too quickly can help prevent this issue. Also, ensuring that at least 2 hours have passsed before allowing your dog to run or play hard after eating will help prevent this. Many vets will also recommend a preventative surgical procedure called a gastropexy for at risk breeds, which is basically a stapling of the stomach to prevent it from flipping in the future. This procedure should be discussed with your vet if you feel this is something that could potentially affect your dog.
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