by Jade Skyye

Created on: August 18, 2009

Dog Bloat

Dog bloat is a very serious condition that if not treated will lead to death and even if treated, still sometimes leads to death. Bloat, also called twisted stomach, is formally known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. Certain large breeds are more likely to experience bloat because of their deep and narrow chests. Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Weimaraners are the top three breeds most likely to develop GDV. Other factors that influence whether or not a dog will develop bloat include:

male dogs are twice as likely as females,
dogs over age 7 are twice as likely as those aged 2 to 4,
dogs fed once daily are twice as likely as those who are fed twice daily,
not waiting two hours after eating to exercise leads to higher risk, and
dogs that are nervous/anxious are at a higher risk.

If you are the owner of one of the commonly affected breeds, there are signs you should recognize in order to save your pet. Keep in mind, there are no home treatments for you to try, you must take your dog to the nearest vet or animal emergency center. The most obvious sign is a swollen belly, known as abdominal distention. If your dog is retching and having un-productive vomiting/gagging, these are tell-tale signs. Additionally, rapid shallow breathing, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, and restlessness may contribute to your dog's discomfort.

The process of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus occurs when a dog swallows air (a common practice), but isn't able to expel the air (via burp, etc.). The bloat is referred to as the dilatation. As the stomach fills up with air, it creates pressure on the diaphragm and other organs. Since the stomach is full of air, it is able to rotate, which leads to blood vessel constriction. This rotation is called the volvulus. Once this occurs, the blood supply is no longer flowing freely to all organs and the dog's body begins to shut down.

All dogs that experience bloat do not always also experience volvulus. For these reasons, studies continue to search for links and predispositions in order to more accurately pinpoint how and why GDV occurs. The lesson(s) to be learned here are, to be educated and aware of the signs of bloat, to take precautions if you have one of the more commonly affected breeds, and if you recognize the signs of GDV, immediately take your dog to an emergency vet facility for treatment.

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