Bloat in Dogs

Bloat in Dogs

Bloat is also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), stomach torsion, and twisted stomach. This is a life-threatening condition in dogs that will normally affect large, deep-chested dogs. The stomach will fill with gas and the dog will appear bloated. The stomach then turns over or twists on itself, blocking both the entrance to and the exit from the stomach. This is an emergency; you must get your dog to a hospital immediately. Emergency surgery is required to correct this.

Signs & Symptoms of Bloat

Distended abdomen (swollen belly)
Difficulty breathing
Dry heaving and/or gagging
Excessive drooling
Showing signs of pain

It is not uncommon for a dog to collapse. Shock will set in rapidly. As the bloated and twisted stomach starts to press on veins in the abdomen, circulation is decreased, depriving the tissues of necessary blood and oxygen. This advanced condition can cause the dog to pass out.

Causes of Bloat

The exact cause is not known, however the highest incidence of GDV occurs in large breed dogs that eat and drink very quickly, followed by a high level of exercise. When these large dogs eat so quickly, they take in an excessive amount of air that gets trapped in the stomach. Exercising immediately afterwards causes the stomach to flip on itself, resulting in bloat or GDV. Statistics show that certain breeds are more likely to suffer from GDV than others. These include Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, Gordon Setters, Standard Poodles, Basset Hounds, Doberman Pinschers, and Old English Sheepdogs.

Diagnosis of Bloat

Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam. Your veterinarian may do the following:

Radiographs - This will reveal a very distinctly misshapen stomach and a build-up of gas.
Ultrasound - This can be used in many diagnostic processes to determine abnormalities in your dog’s body. Ultrasounds use sound waves that bounce back, producing an echo that measures the opacity of objects, and produces a picture on the ultrasound machine.

Treatment for Bloat

The goal is to release the pressure in the dog’s stomach as soon as possible. Your veterinarian may try to pass a stomach tube before electing to do surgery. If this is not possible, the dog will be stabilized in preparation for surgery. An attempt will be made to surgically untwist the stomach and remove any dead or damaged tissue in the abdomen.

The surgeon may elect to do a procedure to suture the stomach to the abdomen wall, thus preventing another episode of GDV. This procedure is known as gastropexy. This won’t prevent bloating, but will prevent the twisting of the stomach.

One of the most effective ways to help prevent this is to pay careful attention to diet, feeding, and exercise regimens. It is recommended to feed large, deep-chested dogs small amounts of food several times a day.