What Is Bloat?
The term bloat is used for when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, food, or a combination of these three. For simple bloat, the stomach remains in its natural position. While it expands, the stomach puts pressure on blood vessels and other organs. This interferes with breathing and is incredibly painful.
If the condition progresses, it can lead to a lethal condition known as GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus), gastric torsion and twisted stomach. The bloated stomach twists around where the pylorus meets the duodenum , squeezing off the blood supply to the stomach and spleen. Left untreated this can cause irreparable damage to other internal organs, destroy tissue, and send the dog into shock. With GDV, symptoms present and escalate rapidly; death can result soon after its onset. It is vital to seek immediate medical attention to save the life of the animal.
Symptoms of Bloat
Always know what your dog looks and feels like when healthy. This will give you a baseline to check against when you are concerned for the welfare of your pet.
- Unproductive vomiting
- Distress (whimpering, moaning, groaning, etc)
- Swollen or distended stomach (feel the abdomen for tautness, since sometimes the swelling isn't visible)
- Restless moving (pacing, rolling, unable to get comfortable
- Excessive salivation/drooling
- Panting
- Pale tongue and/or gums (this is a sign that blood flow has been restricted)
- Looking at its own stomach and/or rear end repeatedly
Treatment
The first thing that the veterinarian will do is run blood work and a urinalysis to rule out other disorders that have similar symptoms to gastric dilation-volvulus. Next, to confirm the diagnosis, they will order abdominal x-rays taken and an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed. Several other tests may be performed as necessary, especially if there is a need for surgery. The veterinary team will work fast to reach a diagnosis since the rate of survival decreases the longer the animal is in that condition.
Veterinary specialists will attempt to stabilize the condition of the dog as quickly as possible by giving intravenous fluids and possibly needed oxygen. Meanwhile, a stomach tube and lavage will be used to try and reduce the building pressure. In the cases involving surgery, anesthesia will be administered. During Gastropexy the stomach is assessed, counter-rotated, and then affixed into a normal position. Sometimes, necrotic tissue is found and removed. The wound is then closed and the dog can be moved to recovery. If caught in time and barring complications, most dogs that have undergone Gastropexy survive.
What Breeds Are At Risk?
Breeds that have a deep chest (long and narrow) have an increased chance of developing bloat and GDV. Some of the most commonly affected breeds are: Great Danes, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Collies, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Labs, St.Bernards and Weimaraners. Although it is more likely to occur in these larger dogs, any size and breed of dog (even chihuahuas) can develop GDV.
Can Bloat be Prevented?
The exact cause of GDV is unknown. The veterinary community has an agreed list of factors that increase the risk for your pet.
Increased Risk Factors
- Eating a single meal per day
- Consuming food rapidly
- Drinking large quantities of water at one time
- Family history of bloat/GDV
- Being thin or underweight
- Adding moisture to dry kibble (particularly if citric acid is listed as a preservative)
- Giving the dog a dry diet (one with animal fat in the first four ingredients)
- Anxious and aggressive temperment
- Male canines present symptoms more often than female
- Age (7-12 year old dogs were most at risk)
How to Reduce the Risk
- Feed several (two or more) small meals throughout the day
- Add canned dog food to meals
- Attempt to lower the stress of the dog and improve its temperment
- Wait an hour (at minimum) after a meal before allowing vigorous playing/exercising
- Use dry food that has a calcium-rich meat meal (such as meat/lamb meal, fish meal, chicken by-product meal, meat meal, or bone meal) listed as one of the first four ingredients
- For some high risk breeds, a vet may reccomend elective Gastropexy to affix the stomach of a dog in position so that it will not twist on itself.
References
Thank you for reading!