Bloat in Dogs
Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog
owners know very little about it. According to the links below, it is
the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. It is frequently
reported that deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great
Danes, and Dobermans are particularly at risk. This page provides
links to information on bloat and summarizes some of the key points
we found in the sites we researched. Although we have summarized
information we found about possible symptoms, causes, methods of
prevention, and breeds at risk, we cannot attest to the accuracy.
Please consult with your veterinarian for medical information.
If you believe your dog is experiencing bloat, please get your dog to
a veterinarian immediately! Bloat can kill in less than an hour, so
time is of the essence. Notify your vet to alert them you're on your
way with a suspected bloat case. Better to be safe than sorry!
The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus "
("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air
(although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens
when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in
the stomach ("gastric dilatation") . Stress can be a significant
contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus"
(twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°,
twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube)
and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting stomach traps
air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs
veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and
damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.
Be prepared! Know in advance what you would do if your dog bloated.
If your regular vet doesn't have 24-hour emergency service, know
which nearby vet you would use. Keep the phone number handy.
Always keep a product with simethicone on hand (e.g., Mylanta Gas
(not regular Mylanta), Gas-X, etc.) in case your dog has gas. If you
can reduce or slow the gas, you've probably bought yourself a little
more time to get to a vet if your dog is bloating.
This information is not intended to replace advice or guidance from
veterinarians or other pet care professionals. It is simply being
shared as an aid to assist you with your own research on this very
serious problem.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms often include some (but not necessarily all) of the
following, according to the links below. Unfortunately, from the
onset of the first symptoms you have very little time (sometimes
minutes, sometimes hours) to get immediate medical attention for your
dog. Know your dog and know when it's not acting right.
Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful) ; may occur every 5-30
minutes This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been
referred to as the "hallmark symptom"
"Unsuccessful vomiting" means either nothing comes up or possibly
just foam and/or mucous comes up.
Doesn't act like usual self Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may
be the only sign that almost always occurs
We've had several reports that dogs who bloated asked to go outside
in the middle of the night. If this is combined with frequent
attempts to vomit, and if your dog doesn't typically ask to go
outside in the middle of the night, bloat is a very real possibility.
Significant anxiety and restlessness
One of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical
"Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance
This seems to occur fairly frequently
Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy Many dog
owners report this after putting their ear to their dog's tummy.
If your dog shows any bloat symptoms, you may want to try this
immediately.
Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)
Despite the term "bloat," many times this symptom never occurs or is
not apparent
Pale or off-color gums
Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages
Coughing
Unproductive gagging
Heavy salivating or drooling
Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous
Unproductive attempts to defecate
Whining
Pacing
Licking the air
Seeking a hiding place
Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or
discomfort
May refuse to lie down or even sit down
May stand spread-legged
May curl up in a ball or go into a praying or crouched position
May attempt to eat small stones and twigs
Drinking excessively
Heavy or rapid panting
Shallow breathing
Cold mouth membranes
Apparent weakness; unable to stand or has a spread-legged stance
Especially in advanced stage
Accelerated heartbeat
Heart rate increases as bloating progresses
Weak pulse
Collapse
Causes
Stress Dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, change in routine, new
dog in household, etc.
Although purely anecdotal, we've heard of too many cases where a dog
bloated after a 3rd dog was brought into the household (perhaps due
to stress regarding pack order).
Activities that result in gulping air
Eating habits, especially.. . Elevated food bowls
Rapid eating
Eating dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative (the risk
is even worse if the owner moistens the food)
Eating dry foods that contain fat among the first four ingredients
Insufficient Trypsin (a pancreatic enzyme present in meat)
Dilution of gastric juices necessary for complete digestion by
drinking too much water before or after eating
Eating gas-producing foods (especially soybean products, brewer's
yeast, and alfalfa)
Drinking too much water too quickly (can cause gulping of air)
Exercise before and especially after eating
Heredity (especially having a first-degree relative who has bloated)
Build & Physical Characteristics Having a deep and narrow chest
compared to other dogs of the same breed
Older dogs
Big dogs
Males
Being underweight
Disposition Fearful or anxious temperament
Prone to stress
History of aggression toward other dogs or people
Prevention
Some of the advice in the links below for reducing the chances of
bloat are:
Avoid highly stressful situations. If you can't avoid them, try to
minimize the stress as much as possible. Be extra watchful.
Can be brought on by dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, new dog
in household, change in routine, etc.
Do not use an elevated food bowl
Do not exercise for at least an hour (longer if possible) before and
especially after eating
Particularly avoid vigorous exercise and don't permit your dog to
roll over, which could cause the stomach to twist
Do not permit rapid eating
Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one
Do not give water one hour before or after a meal
It dilutes the gastric juices necessary for proper digestion, which
leads to gas production.
Always keep a product with simethicone (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not
regular Mylanta), Phazyme, Gas-X, etc.) on hand to treat gas symptoms.
Some recommend giving your dog simethicone immediately if your dog
burps more than once or shows other signs of gas.
Some report relief of 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
Make meals a peaceful, stress-free time
When switching dog food, do so gradually (allow several weeks)
Do not feed dry food exclusively
Feed a high-protein (>30%) diet, particularly of raw meat
If feeding dry food, avoid foods that contain fat as one of the first
four ingredients
If feeding dry foods, avoid foods that contain citric acid
If you must use a dry food containing citric acid, do not pre-moisten
the food
If feeding dry food, select one that includes rendered meat meal with
bone product among the first four ingredients
Reduce carbohydrates as much as possible (e.g., typical in many
commercial dog biscuits)
Feed a high-quality diet
Whole, unprocessed foods are especially beneficial
Feed adequate amount of fiber (for commercial dog food, at least
3.00% crude fiber)
Add an enzyme product to food (e.g., Prozyme)
Include herbs specially mixed for pets that reduce gas (e.g., N.R.
Special Blend)
Avoid brewer's yeast, alfalfa, and soybean products
Promote an acidic environment in the intestine
Some recommend 1-2 Tbs of Aloe Vera Gel or 1 Tbs of apple cider
vinegar given right after each meal
Promote "friendly" bacteria in the intestine, e.g. from yogurt or
supplemental acidophilus
Avoids fermentation of carbohydrates, which can cause gas quickly.
This is especially a concern when antibiotics are given since they
tend to reduce levels of "friendly" bacteria.
Don't permit excessive, rapid drinking
Especially a consideration on hot days
And perhaps most importantly, know your dog well so you'll know when,
your dog just isn't acting normally.
Breeds At Greatest Risk
**Breeds most at risk according to the links below:
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Basset Hound
Bernese Mountain Dog
Borzoi
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Collie
Dachshund
Doberman Pinscher
English Springer Spaniel
Fila Brasileiro
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
Great Pyrenees
Irish Setter
Irish Wolfhound
King Shepherd
Labrador Retriever
Miniature Poodle
Newfoundland
Old English Sheepdog
Pekinese
Rottweiler
Samoyed
Shiloh Shepherd
St. Bernard
Standard Poodle
Weimaraner
Wolfhound
Sighthouds
Bloodhounds
Dogsitter Information: If you would like to have the information we
give to our dogsitter when we're away, you're welcome to print this.
Please consider bookmarking this site in case you ever need to access
this information quickly.
Copyright © 2001. All rights reserved.
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We're so glad you look after our tummies!
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