Bloat in Dogs Is A Twisted Stomach

Bloat in dogs is considered the second cause of death in dogs after cancer. Bloat is also known as Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), “twisted stomach” or “stomach torsion.” No matter what you want to call it bloat is a very serious condition that needs immediate attention.

I became interested in this condition after my sons dog came down with it when they were visiting us one evening. Bailey is a big dog; he is part Rottweiler and Pit Bull and he is also a big baby and a worrywart. I had my son call the emergency Vet that I took my dog Moebert to and explain what was happening and they said to bring him in ASAP.

Bailey had all the symptoms.

Symptoms of Bloat in Dogs

• Significant anxiety and restlessness


• Seeking a hiding place


• Whining


• Pacing


• Heavy salivating or drooling


• Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous


• Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)


• Shallow breathing


• Unproductive gagging


• Unproductive attempts to defecate

The top ten breeds according to the University of Purdue:

1. Great Dane


2. Saint Bernard


3. Weimaraner


4. Irish Setter


5. Gordon Setter


6. Standard Poodle


7. Basset Hound


8. Doberman Pinscher


9. Old English Sheepdog


10. German Shorthaired Pointer

Bloat in dogs can be caused by a number reason such as:

It usually affects dogs of the larger, deeper-chested breeds (which means the length of their chest from backbone to sternum is rather long while the chest width from right to left is narrow) but all dogs can be at risk. There appears to be a genetic link to this disease. If both parents have deep and narrow chests, then it is likely that their offspring will have deep and narrow chests so they may also be at risk.

Eating Habits

• Dogs fed once a day are twice as likely to develop GDV (bloat) as those fed twice a day.


• It seems that dogs that eat quickly or exercise soon after a meal may also be at increased risk.


• Dogs that drink water in large amounts after meals. Drinking too much water too quickly (can cause gulping of air)


• Vigorous activities that result in gulping air


• Eating gas-producing foods (especially soybean products, brewer’s yeast, and alfalfa)


• Elevated food bowls some studies advise that dogs who are susceptible to bloat should not be fed with elevated food bowls; some studies have not found this to be true. However, it is recommended that dogs at risk be fed at floor level.

Age – Dogs over 7 years of age twice as likely to develop gastric bloat as those who are 2-4 years of age.

Gender – Male dogs are twice as likely to develop bloat as females. Neutering does not seem to have an effect on the risk.

Temperament – Dogs that are stressed have a tendency to be more nervous, fearful, or worried appear to be at an increased risk of developing bloat.

So what is bloat in dogs? It is when the stomach fills up with air and then it puts pressure on the diaphragm which makes it difficult for the dog to breathe. The bloated stomach can also compress the large veins in the abdomen which can prevent blood from returning to the heart. When the stomach is filled with air it can easily rotate on itself that result causes the pinching off its own blood supply. When the blood supply is cut off the stomach begins to die and your pets condition begins to get worse very quickly because their entire blood supply has been interrupted.

Prevention While there is no clear-cut way to prevent bloat, the following tips may help.

• Minimize the stress as much as possible.  Try to make meals a peaceful, stress-free time


• Do not use an elevated food bowl


• Do not exercise for at least an hour before and especially after eating


• Avoid vigorous exercise right before and after meals


• Do not allow rapid eating. (There are bowls you can get to help with this.)


• Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one; do not let them drink too much water before and especially after eating.


• Keeping a product with simethicone (for example Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Phazyme, or Gas-X, etc.) on hand to treat gas symptoms.


• Naturally relieve gas symptoms with 1/2 tsp of nutmeg or the homeopathic remedy Nux moschata 30


• Allow access to fresh water at all times, except before and after meals


• Reduce carbohydrates as much as possible (classic in many commercial dog biscuits)


• Feeding a premium dog food with a higher nutrient content which would allow you to feed smaller portions while still meeting your dog’s nutritional needs.


• Feed adequate amount of fiber, Flax Seed is a good source of fiber you can just sprinkle on their food.


• MOST Important know your dog, so when he or she is not acting like their normal self you can take the necessary steps to help them feel better.


• Also know the phone number and where the nearest Animal Emergency Vet is because if your dog bloats your Veterinarian might not be available.

Have you seen the movie or read the book Marley and Me? This is what he died from, my daughter-in-law having done both was very upset about Bailey when he started showing all of symptoms and I don’t blame her it is very upsetting to see your pet in pain. Thankfully his trip to the emergency Vet turned out very well and he is doing fine.

Bailey recovering with his mom during a visit.

Bailey’s Belly

Bailey resting at home.

They did not perform surgery on Marley they manually untwisted the stomach but in doing so one cannot know if any damage was done. It is suggested that all bloated dogs, once stable, should have surgery. That is the only way to know if the there is a section of dying tissue on the stomach wall, this must be removed or the dog will die Also, the spleen, which is located adjacent to the stomach may twist with the stomach. The spleen may require removal, too because that can also lead to other problems like causing a hemoabdomen which means bleeding into the stomach.

Once the stomach has been put back in place and if any damage corrected the vet can do a gastropexy which is a surgical operation in which the stomach is sutured to the abdominal wall. Some vets do this as a precaution when they are performing other operations on dogs that are at risk for bloat. Without gastropexy, the recurrence rate of bloat may be as high as 75%. If the stomach can be surgically tacked into place, the recurrence rate drops to 6% which are better odds to say the least.

Although I have summarized the information about the symptoms, causes, prevention, and the breeds that are at risk, please consult with your veterinarian for medical information.

If you suspect that your dog has bloat, time is of the essence because bloat can kill your pet if not addressed (asap) so call your veterinarian or emergency center and let them know that your dog has bloat symptoms and you are bring him in to be checked out.

To You and Your Pets Health,

Alice

Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, Fourth Edition, is the definitive guide for every dog owner. It puts vital information at your fingertips; this handbook has been extensively revised to include the latest information on everything from canine healthcare to nutrition to holistic treatments.  Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook

Dogs Stomach Bloating (Suspected GDV)

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Important Information: Please take this seriously as you never know when it will come. 

The Condition and Its Causes

Simply put, bloat describes a stomach which has become abnormally enlarged or distended. The stomach is filled with gas, food, liquid, or a combination thereof. Torsion is the abnormal positioning of the stomach which is caused by the stomach’s rotation about its axis, i.e. twisting of the stomach. Bloat usually leads to torsion, although torsion can occur without bloat. Chronic gastric volvulus (ongoing mild torsion) may not cause typical signs of GDV, but should be suspected in dogs with intermittent vomiting, weight loss, mild bloating, rumbling sounds in the bowel (borborygmi) and/or belching.

 Depending on how quickly the problem is dealt with, GDV may result in a stomach that is rotated by anywhere from 90° to 360°. Severe torsion usually means the displacement of both the stomach and the spleen (they exchange positions). The speed at which the stomach empties itself, as well as the stomach’s digestive contraction pace, are thought to play a role in the development of GDV. Certain food types (such as peas, onions, beans, beet pulp, etc.) are also implicated. Research analyses of gastric gas from live dogs with GDV suggest that it predominantly results from swallowing air rather than from gastric fermentation (digestive disorder). Some people suggest a genetic predisposition to bloat, while others refute the suggestion. None of these theories has been scientifically proven, and all appear to be only partially true.

Based on his extensive clinical experience with GDV cases, Dr. John Lammerding (a Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon) tends to think that GDV in young dogs may suggest a genetic predisposition. However, he believes that GDV in old dogs are typically caused by excessive hyperventilation (sucking too much air) due to the fact that some old dogs, like old people, develop breathing difficulties due to the aging process. In the latter case, GDV could theoretically be prevented by keeping the old dog calm and preventing him/her from hyperventilating. Regardless of the cause of GDV, the end result is a distended and twisted stomach. GDV results in physiological changes that create a medical and surgical emergency. GDV most commonly occurs in large, deep-chested breeds, but has also been reported in Bassets, Dachshunds and cats.

Reported fatality rates range from 15% to 60%. There is also a high recurrence rate when surgery (Gastropexy) is not performed to permanently attach the stomach to an anatomically acceptable part of the body, such as a rib. Bloat surgery is a very painful, major operation, and is potentially life threatening especially in cases involving old dogs You should discuss the treatment of bloat and torsion with your veterinarian the next time you see him/her. Not all veterinarians are familiar with the proper emergency treatment of GDV and fewer yet are familiar with proper surgical technique and post-surgery care and monitoring. It is imperative that you make sure that your veterinarian is familiarized with the proper procedures before his/her skills are needed. If your veterinarian is not receptive to or is offended by your queries, then it may perhaps be time for you to find a more responsive veterinarian. 

Symptoms

Early signs of bloat may include restlessness, excessive drooling, abdominal pain, retching, and/or non-productive attempts to vomit. The dog may vomit foamy mucous, or a mucousy foam may be evident around the lips. A more advanced sign of bloat is characterized by abdominal distension (enlarged abdomen). Other signs may include pale mucous membrane (evident by pale gum color), and prolonged capillary refill time (detected by pressing the gum with your fingertip and judging the speed at which gum color returns to pink after you stop pressing.)

Some people have reported early detection by observing abnormal behavior, such as not wanting to move around; or laying down in a curled up position, etc. when the dog would normally run around and play. During this early phase, stomach enlargement may not be visually evident yet. Bloat can usually be detected when you make the dog stand up and gently feel his/her abdomen. The abdomen should feel soft and tapered inward when the dog is relaxed. If the abdomen feels hard, or sounds hollow (like a drum) when you tap it gently with your hand, then your dog is probably bloating or even torsioning. If you’re not sure, get the dog in to the veterinarian (or at least call) right away just in case–it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Prevention

There are no sure-fire ways to prevent or predict GDV. Here is a list of suggestions :

1. Feed 2 or 3 smaller meals daily (as opposed to 1 large meal).


2. Any changes in the diet should be made gradually, over a period of a week.


3. Vigorous exercise, excitement and stress should be avoided from 1 hour before to 2 hours after meals.


4. Excessive drinking should also be avoided.


5. Avoid feeding food that are known to cause flatulence (gas), e.g. soy, beans, peas, onions, beet pulp, etc.


6. Some veterinarians advocate the feeding of large pieces of fresh/raw fruits and vegetables (e.g. apples, oranges, carrots) 3 to 4 times a week. The reason is that commercial dog food lacks the appropriate amount of roughage that a dog needs in order for the stomach to function properly.


7. Some people give their dogs over-the-counter anti-flatulent (Simethecone products, such as Gas X®), just before or after they put their dogs through stressful situations. It may also be handy when the dog appears to have a lot of gas. Simethecone works by breaking down the surface tensions of the small air bubbles in the stomach, thus causing bigger bubbles to form, which theoretically, are easier for the stomach to pass.


8. On dogs known to be highly susceptible to GDV (e.g. ones that have already bloated before) discuss the use of medicinal prevention (such as Metoclopramide Hydrochloride, or Reglan®) with your veterinarian. The medicine is widely used in human after abdominal surgery to combat painful intestinal flatulence. It chemically decompresses the stomach and intestines, thus forcing the gas out. Like all drugs, there are side effects, so the benefits and problems of long term use should be carefully weighed and discussed with your veterinarian.

– to be continued tomorrow on what to do during emergency. 

** Disclaimer: Above article is not original from Furkids Paradise. Kindly refer to the link at the top to view original article.