Bloat in Dogs
By epetsure
As humans, we often find ourselves bloated after eating a big meal, maybe when we’ve had a few beers and a hot dog at a baseball game, or even if we’ve had too much salt. It can be uncomfortable, but we can pop a couple antacids or drink some ginger ale; it’s typically gone by the next morning. Dogs, however, have an entirely different situation when it comes to bloating. And it can be fatal.
What is Bloat in Dogs?
When a dog’s stomach fills with gas, it bloats. This expanding of the stomach puts pressure on a dog’s diaphragm, constricting breathing. The stomach can also twist, causing shock and even death. The technical name is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).
GDV can be caused by swallowing too much food, fluid, or even air. It can occur with or without a full twisting of the stomach, however in most cases, as the stomach swells, it will rotate. The stomach then traps air, food, and water as it obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and even damage to internal organs. It is no joking matter and can kill a pup.
Symptoms
Larger breeds with elongated, deep chests are usually more likely to suffer from bloat. The most obvious symptom is an enlarged abdomen, present along with heavy panting and breathing, excessively drooling, dry heaving and unproductive vomiting, a weak pulse, pacing, and even collapse. Not all symptoms need to be present for a dog to be suffering from bloat.
Emergency Care
If your dog presents any of these symptoms, get to a vet right away! There, they can stabilize your dog and he or she will likely undergo gastric decompression. Make sure you have emergency veterinary contacts somewhere easily accessible because you will have to move quickly. The good news is that bloat in dogs is treatable when caught early.
Prevention
Since the chances of bloating increase with overeating and overdrinking, keep food portions reasonable and give your dog a little bit of time to digest before playing or getting rowdy. There are even veterinary recommendations for certain breeds to undergo gastropexy, a surgical procedure for breeds prone to bloat that prevents the stomach from twisting. When in doubt, ask your vet before something becomes an emergency.
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