By Dr. Becker
The condition called "bloat" is exactly what it sounds like — the stomach swells to several times its normal size due to trapped gas, air, and in some cases, fluid.
In humans, an occasional bloated stomach is usually the result of overindulgence and nothing to worry about. In dogs, however, a bloated tummy can quickly become a life-or-death situation.
If your dog has simple bloat, also called gastric dilatation, his stomach is distended with gas and air but remains in position. It can be painful because the swelling puts pressure on blood vessels in the abdomen. In a worst-case scenario, the condition progresses to gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).
GDV describes a situation in which the bloated stomach twists around on itself, squeezing off the blood supply to the stomach and spleen, and creating the potential for significant damage to other internal organs.
Gastric dilatation with volvulus is a life-threatening event in dogs. Without treatment, GDV can lead to death within a matter of hours.
Is My Dog at Risk for GDV?
GDV is most often seen in older, large and giant breed deep-chested (as opposed to barrel-chested) dogs. It may be a partially inherited trait, since many GDV dogs have relatives in their lineage that also have the condition. Breeds at highest risk include:
✓ Great Dane
✓ Basset Hound
✓ Saint Bernard
✓ Doberman Pinscher
✓ Weimaraner
✓ Old English Sheepdog
✓ Irish Setter
✓ German Shorthaired Pointer
✓ Gordon Setter
✓ Newfoundland
✓ Standard Poodle
✓ German Shepherd
It's important to note that although genetics seem to play a role, bloat can affect any dog.
Some studies suggest that elevated food dishes increase a dog's risk, as does fast eating. Dogs who gobble their meals and swallow air in the process seem to be at higher risk for GDV.
Other dietary habits considered to be risk factors include eating large amounts at each meal, eating just one meal a day, exercising shortly after a meal and drinking large quantities of water right after eating.
Post-meal stressful situations, as well as a generally fearful or aggressive temperament may also play a role.
Dogs fed primarily dry kibble are at significantly increased risk for GDV,1 as are dogs who swallow indigestible or slow-to-digest foreign bodies, usually as a result of indiscriminate eating.2
Other suspected risk factors include increased gastrin concentration (gastrin is a hormone that controls release of acid in the stomach), decreased stomach motility and delayed gastric emptying (meaning food stays in the stomach longer than normal) and removal of the spleen.
How Can I Tell If My Dog Has Bloat?
Many of the very first signs of GDV in a dog can be easy to miss. Your dog may seem anxious. She may stand and stretch, or nip at or guard her abdomen. Panting and drooling are also common. If your dog has simple bloat, she should be able to relieve the pressure by belching.
But if the bloat has caused a volvulus, she won't be able to expel the gas and air because both the entry and exit to the stomach are pinched shut. Signs your dog has developed GDV include:
Remarkably distended abdomen filled with air
Unproductive belching, retching and/or vomiting
Noticeable abdominal pain that interferes with her movements
Restlessness
Rapid decline in her condition accompanied by shallow, rapid breathing and pale gums
Why You Must Take Immediate Action
GDV can quickly become a serious systemic issue because the bloating of your dog's stomach puts pressure on blood vessels, inhibiting their ability to pump properly. Pressure on the diaphragm makes breathing difficult, and when the stomach twists on itself, blood circulation is further inhibited.
Toxins are released into the bloodstream and blood flow back to the heart is compromised. This can put your dog in a state of shock in as little as 20 minutes to an hour after the volvulus develops.
Since there's a good chance you won't be able to tell whether your pet has simple bloat or bloating with volvulus, you should get him to your veterinarian's office or the nearest emergency animal hospital right away.
If possible, administer homeopathic Belladonna, Nux Vomica, or Carbo Veg (depending on your dog's specific symptoms) on the way to the vet to try to mitigate rapid progression of the emergency.
Without immediate veterinary care, your dog's stomach will ultimately rupture and cause peritonitis, a fatal abdominal infection. The most important factor in saving GDV patients is the time that elapses between presentation of symptoms and surgery.
I can't stress enough the importance of getting your dog immediate veterinary care if you suspect bloat or GDV.
What to Expect at the Vet's Office
GDV is diagnosed with X-rays. Your dog will first be stabilized with intravenous (IV) fluids and oxygen, and an attempt will be made to move the accumulated gas and fluid out of the stomach. Once your dog is stabilized, she'll undergo anesthesia and surgery to untwist the stomach and tack it to the inside of the abdominal wall in a procedure called a gastropexy.
The gastropexy should be performed as soon as possible, because GDVs recur at a rate of nearly 100 percent in dogs who don't receive the surgery. The recurrence rate after gastropexy is less than 5 percent, and while the stomach can still dilate (bloat), it is unlikely to rotate.3
During the surgery, your dog's stomach will be examined for damaged areas that may need to be removed as the result of poor blood circulation. Sometimes the spleen is also torqued and must be untwisted. Occasionally, the spleen may need to be removed if it has been significantly damaged.
Antimicrobials are usually given to address bacteria that leak into the bloodstream from the damaged intestine. There can also be blood pH and electrolyte disturbances that must be corrected. If irregularities in the heart rate are occurring they must be carefully managed, and the kidneys may also need to be monitored.
Aftercare
Your dog will not be able to exercise for the first couple of weeks after surgery, and should be fed a bland diet in small meals along with frequent small amounts of water. Acupuncture may be beneficial in managing pain and supporting the return of normal contractions of the stomach and intestine.
Laser therapy may also be helpful to speed healing and reduce pain around the incision site. I would also recommend a high-quality probiotic supplement to reseed the digestive tract with friendly bacteria, and nutritional supplements and herbs appropriate to support other organs such as the kidneys.
How to Help Prevent GDV in Your Dog
If your dog is a high-risk breed (or a mixed breed with a deep chest):
Feed a species-appropriate fresh food diet with no grains or other fermentable carbohydrates.
Feed two to three smaller meals a day versus one large meal.
Slow down the speed at which your dog eats by offering food from a special bowl like the Brake-Fast.
Make sure the food you're feeding contains no preservatives, genetically modified (GM) ingredients, or citric acid and add probiotics and digestive enzymes to assist in digestion and assimilation of food.
Don't vigorously exercise your dog for an hour after he eats, and don't allow him to drink large amounts of water during that time.
Be very careful not to allow your dog to have recreational bones or chews, toys or other foreign objects that are difficult or impossible to digest.
Minimize stress on your pet. Make sure she is well exercised (though not right after meals, as I've discussed). Most large breed dogs need lots of daily physical activity to maintain muscle tone and range of motion, decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels and relieve boredom.
You'll also want to keep vaccines to a minimum to reduce immunologic stress, and limit the amount of chemicals your pet is exposed to orally, topically and in the environment.
Some veterinarians recommend gastropexy as a preventive measure in high-risk dogs who have not yet experienced an episode of bloat. The procedure is usually performed at the same time the pet is sterilized.
My first recommendation would be to try to prevent GDV with the right diet and other lifestyle choices. However, if your dog is a breed prone to the condition and has a near relative (parent, sibling or offspring) who has had a GDV, gastropexy may be your best option.