In the late-80's my Collie died suddenly from a twisted stomach. Back then, this was bewildering. We had no idea what bloat was. Now we know what to look for and just how dangerous it is. When we humans feel bloated, we're uncomfortable and crabby. Bloat in dogs couldn't be more different or more deadly. Bloat, or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus ("GDV"), is an extremely dangerous condition that can affect any dog, though it's more common in breeds with deep, narrow chests. It is the second leading cause of death among dogs after cancer and it can kill in less than an hour. Yet many dog owners are unaware of the illness, what to look for and how little time they have to act when the symptoms begin.  

 

What is Bloat?

Bloat occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid and/or foam in the stomach. The stomach swells and as it does, it can rotate between 90° to 360°, twisting between the esophagus (food tube) and the duodenum (the upper intestine). As the stomach twists air, food and water are trapped within and swelling obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.

 

What are the symptoms?

From the onset of the first symptoms you have very little time (sometimes hours, sometimes minutes) to get immediate medical attention for your dog. It's important to not only know the symptoms but more importantly, to know your dog and know when he or she is not acting right.  

 

Early Symptoms

• Significant anxiety and restlessness (whining, pacing, licking the air, seeking a hiding place)
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to vomit (usually nothing comes up, occasionally just foam and/or mucous); unproductive coughing or gagging.
• Heavy salivating or drooling
• Standing spread-legged or in a "hunched up" position
• Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy
• Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)
  Note: Despite the term "bloat," many times this symptom never occurs or is not apparent!
• Dark red gums
• Unproductive attempts to defecate
• Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort (refusing to lie or sit down; may curl up in a ball or go into a praying or crouched position)
• Drinking excessively
• Heavy or rapid panting or shallow breathing

Advanced Stages

• White or blue gums
• Accelerated heartbeat
• Weak pulse
• Collapse

What to Do if You Suspect Bloat

If your dog is experiencing any of the above symptoms, get him or her to your vet or emergency service immediately. It's a good idea to call ahead to let them know you are coming so they can be ready to perform surgery as soon as you arrive. It's also a good idea to keep a product with simethicone on hand (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta!), Gas-X, etc.) in case your dog has gas. If you can reduce or slow the gas, you've hopefully have bought yourself a little more time to get to your vet. 

 

What Causes Bloat?

Bloat usually - though not exclusively - occurs due to a combination of pre-existing risk factors and activities, including the type of food the dog consumes:

  

Risk Factors

• A first-degree relative who has bloated
• Having a deep and narrow chest compared to other dogs of the same breed
• Older dogs
• Big dogs
• Males
• Being underweight
• Fearful or anxious temperament; Prone to stress
• History of aggression toward other dogs or people

Higher-Risk Breeds

 

Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Basset Hound, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bloodhounds, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Collie, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, Great Pyrenees, Irish and Gordon Setters, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Pekinese, Poodle, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Shiloh Shepherd, St. Bernard, Weimaraner, Sighthounds... however no breed should be considered immune.

 

Higher-Risk Activities

• Exercise just before and especially just after eating
• Activities that result in gulping air
• Eating and drinking habits, especially...
  • Elevated food bowls
  • Rapid eating
  • Drinking too much water before or after eating
  • Drinking too much water too quickly (can cause gulping of air)

Higher-Risk Foods

• Dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative (the risk is even worse if the owner moistens the food)
• Dry foods that contain fat among the first four ingredients
• Insufficient pancreatic enzymes, such as Trypsin (a pancreatic enzyme present in meat)
• Gas-producing foods (especially soybean products, brewer's yeast, and alfalfa)

Can I Prevent Bloat?

In addition to avoiding the risky activities and food listed above, there are a few ways you can help reduce the risk of gas and therefore bloat, in your dog:

• Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one
• When switching dog food, do so gradually (allow several weeks)
• Do not feed dry food exclusively
• Feed your dog a high-quality high-protein (>30%) diet, particularly of raw meat and fiber
• Reduce carbohydrates as much as possible (e.g., typical in many commercial dog biscuits)
• And most importantly, avoid vigorous exercise within an hour of eating.

Finally, it is always a good idea to make sure your dogs are fed breakfast at least an hour prior to bringing them into Wag Zone, regardless of whether or not they are at risk for bloat. If your dog falls in to a high risk category it's essential. If an early feeding is impossible, it's important to let us know that your dog has recently eaten so we can restrict their playtime for the first hour or so.