Crossroadsanimalhosp.com
Digestive Distress
Why Bloat Is a Serious Issue for Dogs
Although humans can overeat and get an uncomfortable “bloated” feeling, bloat affects the canine system more critically. For your dog, it’s a serious medical condition that needs immediate attention!
Bloat happens when a dog’s stomach fills with air and water, usually from eating too fast and swallowing too much air in the process. Some dogs’ stomachs actually twist from this condition, pinching off the blood supply and allowing nothing in or out. The veterinary term for this is gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). GDV is a life-threatening emergency primarily found in large or giant, deep-chested dog breeds, but also has been reported in smaller breeds such as Dachshunds and Basset Hounds.
These signs may come with the intense abdominal pain that indicates bloat:
• Swollen stomach that feels hard
• Pacing
• Anxiety and restlessness, which can turn to listlessness and fatigue
• Rapid, shallow breathing with pale gums and lips
• Unproductive belching and/or vomiting
• Excessive salivation or drooling
• Heavy panting
Bloat and GDV happen most often in larger, deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds but can affect any breed. Take these precautions to help prevent bloat:
• Don’t allow your dog to drink large amounts of water before or after a meal.
• Feed two or three smaller meals per day rather than one large meal.
• Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress one hour before and two hours after meals. Walking is permissible as it may help to stimulate normal gastrointestinal function.
• Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of 3-5 days.
Preventative surgery, Prophylactic Gastropexy, can be done at the time of spay and neuter at an early age. This surgically attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent gastric dilatation volvulus.
Bloat can lead to GDV rather quickly. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, please call us at 225-261-6000. If after hours, call us and press 1.
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