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CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives September 2011 | Read the full SECTION
CITY PETS They’re Not Just Pets…They’re Family
Dog Bloat
By Susan Luffey
Dog bloat is a serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Also known as gastric dilation volvulus (GDV), dog bloat occurs when air, food, fluid and/or foam accumulate in the stomach and it swells/twists on itself. These maneuvers trap the contents and lead to low blood pressure and decreased blood flow. GDV also hinders blood supply to surrounding organs – mainly the liver, which decreases the cleansing of blood. This allows bacteria to build up and may result in toxic shock, followed by death.
Contributing Factors
- Breed, with deep, narrow-chested dogs being at greatest risk (i.e., Great Dane, Weimaraner, St. Bernard, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Standard Poodle, Irish Wolfhound, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Basset Hound)
- Genetic disposition
- Dogs with digestive tract conditions
- Dogs who inhale their food, i.e., eat only once a day
- Consuming food that expands in the stomach, such as kibble
- Foods with excessive oils/fats take longer to digest. The longer food sits in the stomach, the greater chance it has to expand.
- Excessive water consumption during a short period of time
- Elevated food bowls
- Exercising immediately before or after eating
- Older, male dogs
- Stress
Signs and Symptoms
- Unsuccessful attempts to vomit
- Unusual behavior
- Hunching up, hunching over
- Bloated, tight stomach, though stomach may not be bloated
- Lack of digestive sounds in stomach
- Pale gums
- Excessive drooling
- Weak pulse
Prevention
Knowing the signs of GDV and obtaining immediate medical attention increase your pet’s survival rate. Proactive measures, however, have an even greater success rate.
- Keep stress at a minimum
- Feed your pooch several smaller meals a day rather than one large one
- Place a tennis ball in the bowl to slow eating
- Provide a high-quality diet
- Gastropexy – tacking part of the stomach down so it cannot twist – may be performed separately or with spay/neuter surgery
Have your veterinarian information on hand, along with the location and number of a 24-hour emergency clinic. Discuss this condition with your veterinarian. Be aware of what to look for, and things you can do just before getting Fido in the car and on the way there. Simply having knowledge of this condition may very well save your pet’s life.
Susan Luffey is the owner of Pampered Pets & Plants, Inc. For more information, call 602.547.1121 in the Greater Phoenix area, or 888.547.1121 in Maricopa and Prescott or visit www.pamperedpetsandplants.com.