Bloat/ Gastric Torsion

The dogs that are most susceptible are those that have a deep ribcage for example, labs, retrievers, shepherds… you get the idea.  However, ANY dog can get bloat.  Remember the golden rule, never ever exercise after feeding – leave at least a minimum of 2 hours… better still, mimic your dogs natural behaviour and walk first then eat…

BLOAT  The Killer

If you experience a combination of the following:

•     Your dog retches from the throat but nothing is produced other than small amounts of frothy mucus

•     Your dog tries to defaecate unsuccessfully

•     Your dog adopts the ‘Sphinx’ position

•     Your dog’s tummy goes hard and / or swells up like a balloon and is as taut as drumskin

•     Trying to bite, or worry, the abdomen

•     Your dog is very unsettled

CONTACT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY.

Bloat is a true emergency – be prepared to drive to the surgery straightaway. The chance of survival decreases alarmingly if you

delay getting the dog to the surgery more than 60-90 minutes after the first signs.

So whether you’re about to catch a plane, serve a meal to your family or go to bed – DON’T. Instead take your dog to the vet.

It could save your dog’s life.

www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Torsion (Bloat) | The Rhodesian Ridgeback Assn Inc.

Most commonly seen in deep-chested dogs, Gastric Torsion (or Bloat) is a very serious condition which can be fatal.

Bloat is caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach. This gas can extend the stomach causing gastric dilation. If the stomach partially rotates its called gastric torsion. If it fully rotates its called gastric volvolus. Each can be a life threatening problem.

Facts:
- Dogs with bloat nearly always are between four and seven years of age. Two-thirds are males.
- It is more common in deep-chested dogs and rarely occurs in small breeds.
- Dogs who bloat tend to eat large quantities of dry kibble.
- They exercise vigorously after eating and tend to drink water in large amounts after meals.
- They may have a history of digestive upsets (gastritis).

Treatment consists of draining the stomach through a tube and surgery to relieve the torsion and gain circulation back to the small intestine and stomach. The stomach can then be “fastened” into place to help prevent this from occuring again. Prevention is better than cure in this instance and you can prevent this from happening by feeding your dog smaller meals more often thoughout the day (stay away from one big meal a day) and wet the dry kibble with water. Keep the dog quiet for about two hours after a meal and restrict its access to water straight after eating.

Symptoms
The signs are excessive salivation and drooling, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit and defecate, evidence of abdominal pain (the dog whines and groans when you push on the stomach wall) and abdominal distention. Its important to know the history of the dog. Has it eaten recently? Drunk water? Has it been running or exercising within 2-3 hours of eating?

If the dog is able to burp or vomit you can usually rest assured that the gut is not twisted. This can be treated at home. Give Mylanta by mouth. Dosage for a small dog is 6 ounces; Medium dog is 8 ounces; large dog 12 ounces. Make sure you walk the dog after giving the Mylanta until the bloat is relieved or until you can contact a veterinarian. If the bloat is relieved at home, it would still be a good idea to contact your vet to let them know the dog bloated. IF YOU ARE UNSURE, RUSH THIS DOG TO THE VET IMMEDIATELY. THIS COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH FOR YOUR DOG. Once a dog bloats, it will usually bloat again in the future.

(Except from Dr. Carlson & Dr. Giffin’s book “Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook” is available through Amazon Online.)

Bloat and Gastric Torsion

I wanted to discuss this horrible health issue; it is something I try to share with as many people as I can.  Knowing the signs can save lives; being that quick action is imperative if it occurs.  Bloat – is when a dogs stomach swells from an excess of gas in it’s stomach.  Large and giant breeds are far more at risk than are small dogs.

Gastric Torsion – is when the stomach actually flips; cutting off the entrance and exit to the stomach causing a balloon effect.  This is life threatening.

There is no one cause of bloat; it can simply happen but it can also be genetic.  Bloat is definitely something you need to be aware of; especially if you have a large breed dog.  There are many different ideas of what causes bloat; one is dry dog food.  Dry dog food is like a sponge; it can absorb a large quantity of water which causes the food to swell.  This can make one cup of food into 2 cups or more.  Which means that when you feed your dog; you do not want them drinking a large quantity of water.  This is why an hour before and after eating you should not exercise your dog.  I always make it a habit to not feed a meal before I exercise the dogs.  A small snack is the best and safest way to go when exercising your dog.

Another risk is the amount of food; when talking about dog food, less is better.  All dogs should eat at least two meals a day which helps to lessen the amount of food in the stomach at one time.  If you need to put weight on your dog; do it slowly.  If you are planning on a big day of hiking or running; bring small sized snacks and try to use as fresh food as you can.  Also; when your dog does drink, don’t let them chug down a gallon at a time.  Break down the drinking to a little at a time; less is more.

Sometimes bloat just happens; if you know the signs you can get to the ER quickly.  This is a great link with many of the symptoms related to bloat.  

There is much controversy over raised or non raised bowls related to bloat.  My opinion on the subject is that if my dog wants to get closer to the food; they can lie down, which is what Tilley opts to do about 70% of the time.  And when Luke and I are on a walk I always try to keep his water bowl down near the ground.  Otherwise; if the bowl is held high, I can hear the air that is going down into his stomach with the water.

Be aware; be prepared.

Bloat -- Gastric Dilation Volvulus/Gastric Torsion

Earlier this week Isabel, who was recently adopted from us by a wonderful family, bloated with torsion. Thanks to the fast action of her adoptive family who recognized her symptoms and got her to an emergency clinic, Isabel survived. She underwent emergency surgery to untwist her stomach, and also had her stomach tacked to reduce the risk of torsion in the future. She spent a few days in hospital and is now home recovering with her family.

Due to their size and deep chests Newfs are at risk of developing bloat, a condition that can kill within a very short period. If you suspect your Newf is bloating rush to the closest vet immediately.

Here is a chart of bloat symptoms (click the image to see the large size file.) Learn to recognize the early signs of bloat, and if you suspect your Newf is bloating get emergency veterinary help immediately. All dogs display different symptoms, so if your Newf seems uncomfortable and is acting strangely it is better to be safe than sorry and get to a vet.

One useful tip to help your dog expel excess gas if you suspect bloat is to massage the acupressure point for bloat which helps to stimulate burping. This is not a replacement to seeking immediate veterinary care, but can be done while on your way to the vet.

Dietary risk factors for bloat include:

• Drinking large amounts of water immediately after eating


• Eating a single, large meal daily


• Eating from a raised feeding bowl
  
  


• Exercising vigorously on a full stomach


• Gulping down food very quickly
  
  

Bloat has been associated with increasing age and having a first-degree relative with a history of Bloat.

To learn more about Bloat – Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) and Gastric Torsion visit this article and this FAQ document

Gastric Torsion: A Horribly Unhealthy Kind of Twist

Torsion, gastric torsion, gastric dilatation-volvulus, GDV; these are terms you never want to hear applied to your dog.  They all mean the exact same thing- your dog’s stomach is distended with gas and has twisted on itself, and emergency surgery offers the only hope for saving his life.  Here’s a visual aid to help you understand what happens when a dog develops gastric torsion.  Picture a fanny pack in your mind.   The pouch of the fanny pack represents your dog’s stomach.  One strap of the fanny pack is the esophagus that transports food from your dog’s mouth down into his stomach.  The other strap is the upper small intestine (duodenum) that transports food out of the stomach.  Now hold one strap of the fanny pack in each hand and twirl the pouch until it twists on itself causing the straps to crimp.  This is what happens when gastric torsion occurs- the stomach twists on itself, cutting off normal blood flow to the stomach and surrounding structures.  Additionally, gas and fluid continue to accumulate within the stomach and cannot flow out via the crimped esophagus or duodenum, so the stomach progressively distends. A dog in this situation quickly lapses into a state of shock and surgical “decompression” or untwisting of the stomach is the only way out of this nightmare.  Time is of the essence- the longer the stomach remains twisted, the greater the likelihood of irreversible devitalization (death) of the stomach tissue.

Image Credit: HoundFancy, 2001

 

Initial symptoms of gastric torsion include a bloated appearance through the midsection (the ribs look like they are expanding outward), drooling, nonproductive retching/vomiting, restlessness, weakness, shallow breathing, rapid heart rate (if it can be felt through the chest wall), and pale gum color.  If you observe such symptoms, quickly make some phone calls to find the closest veterinary hospital capable of performing immediate surgery on your best friend.  The sooner surgery can be performed the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.  Irreparable damage to the stomach tissue is often the deal breaker if the torsion is not corrected quickly.  At the time of surgery, not only is the stomach derotated, it is tacked (attached with stitches) to the inside of the abdominal wall to prevent a repeat spinning performance.  Additionally if the spleen or portions of the stomach wall appear devitalized (deprived of normal blood flow for too long) they will be removed.  If surgery is successful, the dog typically has a minimum two to three day post-operative stay in the hospital for round the clock monitoring for post-operative complications.   

Truth be told, we really don’t know much about what causes gastric torsion.  Clearly, there is a breed/conformation association- large deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, Irish Wolfhounds, Boxers, Dobermans, Weimaraners, and Rottweilers are particularly predisposed.  Affected males definitely outnumber females. One study documented that elevating the food bowl actually predisposes to gastric torsion.  Other studies have indicated that the following factors may also be part of the recipe that results in gastric dilatation-volvulus: eating only one meal per day, eating rapidly, eating dry foods that list oils or fats among the first four label ingredients, exercising in close association to mealtime, being underweight, and being of an “anxious” rather than “happy” personality type.  The only known way to prevent gastric torsion from occurring is by performing a prophylactic (preventive) gastropexy procedure (sutures are used to tack the stomach wall to the inside lining of the abdominal cavity).  This does not prevent the bloating (stomach distending with gas), but does prevent the life threatening twisting part of this miserable disease process.   

Would you like to participate in a study to learn more about why dogs develop gastric torsion?  If your dog has ever bloated (distention of the stomach without rotation) or has experienced gastric torsion, I encourage you to take this survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WS2VKFP.  It is being conducted by Dr. Cynthia Otto from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with researcher, author and lecturer, Dr. Carmen Battaglia. A summary of the results and findings will be posted at www.breedingbetterdogs.com in November, 2010.  If you and your dog did have direct experience with a gastric torsion, I sure as heck hope yours was a happy ending.   

Nancy Kay, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, 2009 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, 2009 Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Website: http://www.speakingforspot.com
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook    

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Tags: bloat, Boxer, Carmen Battaglia, Cynthia Otto DVM, deep-chested breed, Doberman, Dr. Cynthia Otto, gastric dilatation, gastric dilatation-volvulus, gastric torsion, gastropexy, GDV, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, rottweiler, Standard Poodle, stomach, torsion, twisted stomach, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, volvulus, Weimaraner

This entry was posted on July 1, 2010 at 6:00 am and is filed under Canine Diseases, Canine Symptoms, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Specialists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Dog Bloat -- Canine Gastric Torsion

Annie, a 12-year-old Weimeraner, was brought in by her owner Lori Hartoon for sudden onset lethargy and weakness. Annie had been completely normal the night before, but Lori woke to find Annie collapsed and making strange noises in the morning. Upon examination, Dr. Shannon Smith found Annie to be pale and weak with a very distended and painful abdomen. X-rays confirmed Dr. Smith’s suspicions – Annie had gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly known as “gastric torsion” or “bloat”.

GDV is a sudden disorder most commonly seen in large, deep-chested dogs. In the early stages, the stomach fills with gas, causing a simple dilatation or bloat. A GDV is a progression of the bloat into volvulus, in which the huge, gas-filled stomach twists upon itself so that the entrance and exit of the stomach become occluded. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires surgery to correct.

Annie was immediately taken to surgery by Dr. Kim Hsu and Dr. Natalie Smith, a relief veterinarian working at Bothell Pet Hospital that day. The stomach was decompressed, returned to its normal position, and a portion of dead tissue was removed. A gastroplexy (suturing the stomach wall to the abdominal wall) was performed to help prevent future GDV.

Post-operatively, Annie was under close observation at Seattle Veterinary Specialists in Kirkland. We are happy to say Annie made a full recovery and today is back to her normal, rambunctious self.

The exact cause of GDV is unknown, but exercise after ingestion of large meals or water consumption has been a suggested contributing factor. Other factors that increase the risk of GDV include family history of bloat, eating rapidly, being thin or underweight, and having a fearful or anxious temperament. The risk of GDV and measures to prevent it may be discussed with one of our veterinarians.

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