Great Danes are prone to bloat; it is the top killer in the breed. In short, bloat is what happens when the dog’s stomach twists. It does not only occur in Great Danes, but in other deep chested dogs as well. Here are some symptoms of bloat: anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, hunching up, roaching back, not wanting to move, pale or off-color gums, coughing, unproductive gagging, heavy salivating or drooling, foamy mucus around the lips, vomiting foamy mucus, licking the air, seeking a hiding place, looking at their side or other evidence of discomfort in the abdomen, refusal to lie down or sit, unproductive attempts to defecate, whining, pacing, drinking excessively, heavy or rapid panting, shallow breathing, cold mouth membranes, apparent weakness, unable to stand, weak pulse, collapse,standing spread-legged, curled up, crouched position, eating grass or stones or twigs. Here are some causes of bloat: stress, activities that result in gulping air, rapid eating, eating dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative (risk is worse if food is wet), extruded wet food that swells when wet, eating dry foods that contain fat among the first four ingredients, insufficient Trypsin, drinking too much water before or after eating, eating gas-producing foods (soybean, brewer's yeast, alfalfa), exercise before and especially after eating or drinking, having a deep or wide chest, older dogs, big dogs.