Bloat or Gastric Dilation and Volvulus

Bloat in dogs, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and can twist, cutting off blood flow and leading to shock. Symptoms include a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness, and excessive drooling, and immediate veterinary care is critical. This condition primarily affects large, deep-chested breeds but can happen to any dog.

Gastric dilatation: The stomach expands with gas, food, or fluid.

Volvulus: The stomach can then twist on itself, blocking both the top and bottom exits and trapping the gas.

Life-threatening complications: This twisting cuts off blood supply to the stomach and can affect blood returning to the heart, leading to shock, tissue death, and potentially heart failure.

Symptoms to watch for

Enlarged, distended, and tight-feeling abdomen

Restlessness, pacing, or inability to settle

Unproductive retching or dry heaving- trying to throw up.

Excessive drooling or salivation

Signs of pain, such as whining, a hunched posture, or reluctance to be touched

Shallow, labored breathing

Pale or grayish gums and a weak pulse in advanced stages

Risk factors

Breed: Large, deep-chested breeds like Great Danes, Weimaraners, St. Bernards, and German Shepherds are at a higher risk.

Eating habits: Eating too quickly, overeating, or exercising immediately after a meal.

Genetics: A family history of bloat.

Other factors: Being over or underweight, certain types of food, and advanced age.

What to do

Seek immediate veterinary care: Bloat is a critical emergency that can be fatal within hours. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

No home remedies: There are no effective home remedies to stop or cure GDV. Your dog needs urgent medical treatment. However, to help alleviate symptoms, we recommend 4 tablets of Gas-X (Simethicone) for Great Danes or Bloat Buster by Dogzymes https://share.google/mi0SLGDL8UnlswCOO

Simethicone Dosage Chart for Dogs: Uses, Risks, Side Effects, and More - A-Z Animals https://share.google/ebNRQelCjxPimwEiy

Be prepared: Discuss preventative measures, such as gastropexy, with your veterinarian, especially if you own a dog at high risk.

Food Types & Ingredients Associated with Risk:

Fats & Oils: Foods with animal or vegetable fats/oils listed in the first four ingredients may slow stomach emptying, increasing bloat risk.

Starch & Grains: High-starch kibble, soy, wheat gluten, and corn gluten are linked to gas production and bloat.

Fermentable Fibers: Ingredients like beet pulp, psyllium, and certain gums can ferment in the gut, creating gas.

Additives: Some sources mention citric acid and brewer's yeast as potential factors.

Why These Ingredients Matter (Mechanism):

Gas Production: Indigestible carbs and fibers feed gut bacteria, which produce gas.

Slowed Emptying: High fat slows stomach emptying, allowing more time for fermentation and gas buildup.

Bacterial Disruption: Dry food's components can negatively affect the gut microbiome, leading to bacterial imbalance and gas.

Beyond Ingredients (Major Triggers):

Volume: Large amounts of food or water at once.

Eating/Drinking Habits: Eating too fast (aerophagia/gulping air).

Exercise: Strenuous activity before or after meals. We always recommend getting the dogs to rest for 2 hours after strenuous activity and 2 hours after they've eaten a large meal before exercise.

Giving Water when a dog is overheated: limit water intake to a few sips when your dog is heavily panting. Wait until they cool down and they're breathing becomes more normal before offering. If your dog is overheated, you can wash them down with a hose in their undercarriage area and on their paws. Avoid putting water over their back or head. You can also soak a towel and have them lay on it with a fan. If they have floppy ears you can flop their ears backwards which will help let heat escape. In an emergency where your dog's temperature is rising above 103 degrees, you can spray alcohol on the paw pads which will evaporate and create a cooling effect.

Additional Resources

Bloat - The Mother of All Emergencies - Veterinary Partner - VIN https://share.google/kzvPkaQBghOVDCmYU