Bloat is technically called Gastric Dilation and Volvulus syndrome (GDV) but will be referred to as bloat in this article. VOSD has treated hundreds of dogs with bloat as part of our rescue and for the dogs that live at the VOSD Sanctuary & Hospital. This article shares the accepted medical understanding as well as our practical experience with bloat.
Bloat is the condition when the dog’s stomach dilates and then rotates, or twists, around itself. This constriction then causes the stomach to fill with gas. Bloat is an emergency situation. As gaseous pressure builds up it becomes visible as distension of the stomach. As pressure builds blood flow to the body is constricted. As the pressure continues to build blood flow to the heart stops it will cause heart failure and then death. Typically for a large dog from the time, you notice the distention of the stomach to death is a period of 1-2 hrs.
Symptoms and Types
Once bloat sets in the dog will show anxious behavior, depression, excessive drooling, and vomiting since it is trying to cope with the abdominal pressure and lack of oxygen.
- Stage 1 symptoms are the dog starts pacing up and down with stomach discomfort, salivates heavily and tries to vomit but this is unproductive dry heaving as nothing comes out. Vomiting without anything coming out is a key symptom of bloat.
- Stage 2 symptoms will include extremely rapid heartbeat known as tachycardia, labored breathing known as dyspnea, a weak pulse as the heart starts failing, and pale mucous membrane on the gums and eyelids as blood flow stops. The dog may by this time be recumbent.
Causes
Unfortunately, the causes of bloat are unknown. Vets ascribe genetics and environment as the most likely reasons.
- Large and giant-breed dogs, especially deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, and St Bernards are at higher risk.
- Other factors may include the ingestion of excessive amounts of food or water in a short period and too much activity after eating, or a history of gastrointestinal tract problems.
In the VOSD Sanctuary experience, most cases were large or giant breed dogs, more often male than female, and middle-aged or young adults. Many of these dogs had a history of drinking or eating a large volume and then being excessively active. All cases occurred when their diet was a large part of the food volume made of kibble. Cases of bloat completely stopped when these dogs were moved to a non-kibble more wet food diet. Cases have not been noticed in pups or old dogs of these breeds.
Diagnosis
A primary method of diagnosing bloat is imaging techniques, such as x-rays of the abdomen. However, the quickest way to determine bloat is by checking for stomach distention.
The best way to determine bloat is to make the dog lie down (if it is not lying down already) on its side (not it’s haunches). The dog will typically want to lie on one side, not on the other. With your palm feel if the stomach is distended. Typically this distention is below the rib cage on the soft underbelly to one side.
Veterinary Treatment
Bloat is an emergency condition requiring you to take the dog to a vet immediately. If secondary cardiovascular problems have occurred they will need to be immediately treated. The vets will perform gastric decompression with orogastric intubation – passing a tube through the mouth into the stomach. If x-rays show organ entanglement surgery may be required to return internal organs (such as the stomach and spleen) to their normal positions.
Emergency treatment
Even with all the treatment available up to 50% of the dogs will die at the vet. Most of the time your dogs’ best bet will be you if the symptoms are Stage 2 and you clearly establish bloat with a physical inspection AND if you do not have help with a vet within say a half-hour period.
Carry out the procedure described below to save your dog:
- What you need are a 10ml syringe and some gauze and cotton.
- Make the dog lie on its side, have someone hold the dog by the neck if required.
- Trace a line from below the ribs to the dog’s thigh – you will find the distention here.
- This distention is not just a swelling but a tight pocket of air. If you pat it with your palm bounces back and makes a dull sound.
- Take the needle and the syringe out from the packing.
- Put the needle on the syringe tightly. Remove the needle cover. Remove the plunger of the syringe the back of the syringe needs to be open to allow the air to rush out and the fluid to collect.
- You will need to insert the needle into this tight bubble in 1 swift motion.
- Before doing so remember to have the back of the syringe point away from you – since the gas will come out with some fluid explosively.
- Keep the needle perpendicular to the stomach. Do not hesitate – push the needle holding the cylinder of the syringe for a firm grip so as to not let go of the needle – gas and some stomach fluid will come out explosively like a spray.
- Once that happens keep the needle in place and gently apply pressure where the air pocket was to ensure any other air is expelled.
- Pull out the needle. The puncture is almost painless and the puncture in the outside and inside in the stomach will close itself.
- Clean the dog and the area with gauze.
- The dog will get up as the pressure is relieved and will act ‘normal’. However, as mentioned earlier there could be twisted organs and the dog needs an inspection and an x-ray. You’ve saved the dogs’ life but it is not out of danger yet.
- Keep the dog secure and take the dog to the vet immediately.
Prevention
Veterinary recommendations for the prevention of bloat and that have worked for our dogs include
- Slowing the rate of food consumption for large breeds
- Several smaller meals, rather than infrequent larger portions
- Avoiding strenuous exercise after eating and drinking
- Not feeding from an elevated food bowl
- Avoiding dry kibble
- Offering water at all times
Moving the food away from kibble and feeding at ground level has completely eliminated bloat incidents at the VOSD Sanctuary & Hospital.
