Dog Bloat Symptoms

July 8, 2016

Bloat is one of the most serious health emergencies a dog can face, and deep-chested dogs are especially vulnerable. The medical name for the severe form is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV"), and veterinarians treat it as a true life-threatening emergency: without prompt treatment it can be fatal within hours.

Bloat begins when a dog's stomach becomes abnormally distended with gas, fluid, or food. The expanding stomach presses on the diaphragm and, in the worst cases, twists on itself (the "volvulus" part). A twisted stomach cuts off its own blood supply and compresses major veins in the abdomen, making it hard for the dog to breathe and for blood to return to the heart. That leads to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. This is why bloat must always be treated as a dire emergency — the only effective treatment is at a veterinary hospital, usually including emergency surgery.

Breeds At Peak Of Risk:

Any dog can bloat, but large and giant breeds with deep, narrow chests are at the highest risk. Breeds veterinarians most often flag include:

· Great Danes

· Saint Bernards

· Weimaraners

· Irish Setters and Gordon Setters

· Standard Poodles

· German Shepherds

· Doberman Pinschers

Older dogs and dogs with a close relative who has bloated are also at higher risk. If your dog is on this list, it is worth talking to your veterinarian about prevention before an emergency ever happens.

Causes of Bloating:

No single cause explains every case, but factors veterinarians commonly associate with bloat include:

· Eating a large meal quickly

· Vigorous exercise right after a meal

· Gulping large amounts of food or water in one go

· Genetic factors — deep-chested build and family history

· Stress and anxious, gulping eating habits

Symptoms Of Bloating:

Bloat can occur at any age and in any breed, but especially in dogs with deep chests. After the first symptoms appear, there is very little time — dogs can go downhill in a matter of hours. Head to a veterinarian immediately if you see any of these typical signs:

· Unproductive retching — trying to vomit but nothing comes up

· Anxiety and restlessness

· Weak pulse

· Labored or shallow breathing

· Heavy salivating or drooling

· Not acting like their usual self

· Enlarged, tight, or drum-like abdomen

· Pale gums, mouth, or nose

· Pacing and inability to get comfortable

· Unproductive gagging, or foamy mucus around the lips

· Straining without producing anything

· Racing heartbeat

· Collapse

Instant Care

Bloat is not something that can be treated at home — there is no safe home remedy, and every minute counts. If you see the signs above, this is what to do:

· Go to a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes.

· Call the clinic while you are on the way so the team can prepare for your arrival.

· Do not give any food, water, medication, or home remedy by mouth — nothing you can give at home will fix a twisting stomach, and it can make things worse or delay treatment.

· Keep your dog as calm and still as possible during the drive.

At the hospital, the veterinary team will treat shock, decompress the stomach, and in most GDV cases perform emergency surgery to untwist the stomach. The sooner a dog arrives, the better the odds.

Prevention

The following precautions are consistent with general veterinary advice and can help reduce the chance of bloat:

· Feed two to three smaller meals daily instead of one large one

· Slow down rapid eaters — a slow-feeder bowl or spreading food out can help

· Allow quiet rest time after meals; avoid vigorous exercise for an hour or so around feeding

· Keep fresh water available at all times — do not withhold water; just discourage frantic gulping of huge amounts in one go

· Keep meal times calm and stress-free, especially in multi-dog homes

· Ask your veterinarian before making major diet changes — there is no specific food proven to prevent bloat, and your vet can recommend what suits your dog

· Evidence on raised food bowls is mixed, so ask your veterinarian whether one makes sense for your dog rather than assuming it helps

· Never try to treat suspected bloat with over-the-counter gas remedies or any other medication — if you think your dog is bloating, the only right move is the vet, right away

· For high-risk breeds, some veterinarians recommend a preventive surgical procedure called gastropexy, which tacks the stomach to the body wall so it cannot twist. It is often done at the same time as a spay or neuter — ask your veterinarian whether it makes sense for your dog.

Bloat is frightening, but knowing the signs is genuinely lifesaving. If you remember one thing from this article, make it this: a swollen belly plus unproductive retching means go to the vet now.