Let’s break down what “bloat†is and what happens physiologically in the dog’s body. Bloat is an over-production of gas in the stomach. A common reason for this can be those dogs that “inhale†their food (along with a great deal of air) and dogs that drink excessive amounts of water quickly with a meal. Another possible cause can be foods higher in grains than meat which can ferment causing additional gas increase. This increase in gas causes boat or “gastric dilation†(medical term). This can be very painful which you can relate to if you have had a severe case of gas yourself. The signs of gastric dilation can be the same as, or a precursor to “gastric torsion†which is an extreme medical emergency.
- hyper salivation
- excessive panting
- pacing, or in the late stages laying on the right side with the distended stomach presenting like a tight hard ball
- gagging and attempting to vomit and/or traying to defecate with no production (more commonly the first)
- exhibiting pain and frequently vocalizing or whimpering
Regular bloat can be relieved by your veterinarian passing a tube down the esophagus to release the built-up gas. Some sources recommend home treatment with simethicone (anti-gas) to relieve the discomfort but that might take up the valuable time you could be DRIVING to the vet! The worst rist is that the stomach will loosen from the abdominal wall and “flip over†resulting in “gastric torsionâ€. Picture the stomach as a pouch where the top joins the esophagus and the base joins the small intestine at the pyloric valve. Now picture the stomach as a tootsie roll “flipping†and twisting off both ends like the wrapper. The gas builds to dangerous levels, the circulation is cut off to the internal organs and cell death begins quickly. There is very little time before shock sets in.
Veterinary care is needed immediately and necessitates surgery to untwist the digestive system. Most times the veterinarian will “belt loop†the outer layer of the stomach to the inner layer of the abdominal wall to prevent future reoccurance. The surgery is difficult and recovery can be slow depending on how much damage was done to the tissues.
Gastric bloat and torsion tend to be most common in large or giant breed dogs and especially dogs with “deep chests†(spine to sternum taller than rib to rib). Note that both Bailey and Harry were deep-chested large breeds. It has been linked to dogs eating large meals quickly and then exercising or playing actively. Some other points to be aware of:
- feed smaller meals – large breed dogs also tend to do better with elevated bowls
- restrict activity after a meal
- give small amounts of water at a time
- create a relaxed environment during meal time – especially for nervous or food protective dogs
This list isn’t exhaustive so more research into your dog’s breed will give you a better understanding of the possible genetic risks.
Not every large breed dog will develop bloat and torsion. Keep in mind that the clock begins ticking fast when your dog bloats. Many dogs are left at home alone during the workday. In Harry’s case, if his pet sitter Margie hadn’t been there at lunch time and been alert and aware, his owners might have had a very different end to their story. Trained professional pet sitters can be a proactive tool at your disposal during your work day or while you are on vacation. You can learn more about our pet sitting service at Petfully Yours Pet Sitting.
Tags: canine, canine bloat, canine torsion, dog bloat, dog fencing, dog walking, dogs, gastric bloat, gastric torsion, hidden fencing, k9, pet care, pet containment, pet sitting
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