Dog Health by LowchensAustralia.com

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 5-20 minutes
  This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been referred to as the "hallmark symptom"
• Doesn't act like usual self
  Perhaps the earliest warning sign & may be the only sign that almost always occurs
• 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 
• 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
• Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy
  Many dog owners report this after putting their ear to their dog's tummy
• 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 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

According to the links below, it is thought that the following may be the primary contributors to bloat. To calculate a dog's lifetime risk of bloat according to Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine, click here.

   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)

   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 
• 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 several hours (e.g., 2 or 3) before and especially after eating
  Particularly 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 ½ teaspoon 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 Tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel or 1 Tablespoon 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.

And perhaps most importantly, know your dog well so you'll know when your dog just isn't acting normally.

Breeds At Greatest Risk