Bloat, also known as gastric dilation, is where the stomach fills up with air or food. Torsion/ volvulus is a progression of this when the stomach turns around itself, misplacing the spleen. This cuts off the blood supply, which leads to shock which is fatal.
Bloat is extremely dangerous and life-threatening, and therefore is classed as a medical emergency. Bloat affects 36,000 dogs in the US every year, and 30% die as a result (stats from IAMS).
Causes
The exact cause is unknown, but bloat and torsion are associated with dogs eating large amounts of food followed by large amounts of water.
Larger breeds with deep chests are more likely to suffer from bloat. Such breeds include German shepherds, labradors and great Danes. Also, overweight and very underweight dogs are more susceptible to bloat.
Signs
It’s vital to spot bloat early because it is so dangerous – it is classed as a medical emergency.
The signs of bloat usually occur a few hours after a meal. They may include:
- Drooling
- Restlessness and pacing
- Nonproductive retching and vomiting
- A swollen and hard belly
- Pain in the belly
- Shock
Prevention
There are no fool-proof ways of preventing bloat per se, but there are ways you can help:
- Feed your pet more than once daily. You might consider using a slow feeding bowl if your dog eats very quickly
- Do not allow your pet to exercise directly before or after a meal. Ideally, separate the two by at least an hour.
- Do not allow your pet access to bulk food sources from which they might binge.
- Don’t allow your pet to drink large volumes of water at one time, especially right after exercise.
- Feed them from the floor, not from a raised dish
What to do if your dog has bloating
Keep them calm
Make sure they are in a cool and safe area. Try to reassure them and keep them as calm as possible.
Keep an eye on their breathing. If they stop, start giving them CPR.
Phone the vet
If your dog shows signs of bloat, take them to the vet immediately. This is classed as a veterinary emergency and they need professional help straight away. It’s good to call on speakerphone so that you have both hands if you need to perform CPR.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
GDV is a progression of bloat and is even more dangerous. It happens when, after the stomach bloats, it starts to twist and cut off circulation to vital organs.
This twisting also puts pressure on the lungs and makes it difficult for the dog to breath.
There is also the risk of sepsis as the stomach wall can stretch and leak bacteria into the blood stream. Lastly, the spleen can also become twisted.
Symptoms
The symptoms of GDV are similar to that of bloating, but there are few more you should look out for:
- Unproductive vomiting and retching
- Swollen, hard tummy
- Restlessness and pacing
- Excessive drooling
- Collapse
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale gums
What to do
Call your vet immediately and get your dog checked out. Symptoms develop quickly and worsen just as fast, so the faster they receive treatment, the better their chance of survival.
What the vet will do
The vet will help reduce the bloat by releasing gas from the dog’s stomach.
They will also help with shock. This might include pain relief, antibiotics, and/or a fluid drip.
GDV is diagnosed with an X-ray of the abdomen. If your dog does have a GDV, they will need surgery to untwist the stomach.
If you have found this information useful and would like to learn more about first aid for pets, consider completing a First Aid for Pets online course.
About us
Written by Emma Hammett for First Aid for Life
Award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs
It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit https://firstaidforlife.org.uk, https://www.firstaidforpets.net or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.
First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals. They will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance. It is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused.