What Is Dog Bloat? | Dog Bloat

 

WARNING:  BLOAT IS A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY!  IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR DOG IS EXPERIENCING BLOAT-SEEK IMMEDIATE VETERINARY HELP!  

Bloat in dogs is known technically as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Bloat occurs when gas or fluid within the dog’s stomach is blocked.  This blockage leads to the dilatation or stretching of the stomach, which may be followed by the stomach twisting (volvulus).  The stomach may rotate 90-360°.

Effects of bloat and causes of mortality can include:

• heart failure due to hypovelmic shock



• endotoxic (septic) shock



• respiratory failure



• metabolic acidosis



• alkalosis (kidneys unable to remove the body’s acid



• reperfusion injury (tissue damage that occurs when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of a lack of oxygen)

Stages of Dog’s Stomach Twisting

 

 

 

1. 
   
   

   “Acute Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs” http://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2005/Summer/canine-acd.htm

   
   
   



2. 
   
   

   “Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)” http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jspcfile=htm/bc/23305.htm&word=%c2%93Gastric%2cDilatation-Volvulus%c2%94