Dog Bloat: What Are the Signs and How Do You Treat It?

Last year’s study on the occurrence of bloat in dogs and survival rates in the UK revealed compelling results. Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), the medical name for the condition, affects about 6 in 1,000 dogs. However, when dog bloat sets in, it often leads to a fatal result.

In fact, only 49.7% of dogs affected with bloat survived and returned home. For dogs that were already fit when they arrived at the veterinarian’s clinic, 80% of them managed to return home recovered.

This shows that although bloat in dogs is quite rare, it is life-threatening for canine pets if not attended to immediately. Read on to know the probable causes behind dog bloat, its early signs, and ways to treat it.

What Is Bloat in Dogs?

An abdominal X-ray of a dog that has bloat.

Bloat in dogs, also called gastric torsion, happens when the elongated part of the dog’s stomach twists more than 90 degrees.

The oesophagus then gets blocked and the contents in the dog stomach are trapped. Then the stomach fills with gas and expands, causing much pain to the dog.

The stomach is not the only organ that twists. The spleen may also rotate, leading to the blocked circulation of the veins, which is crucial for blood flow to the dog’s heart. This cuts off the blood supply, which can cause systemic shock and blood poisoning.

Other vital organs will be affected as well. Bloat in dogs places undue pressure on the lungs and heart, resulting in breathing difficulties and cardiac issues.

As blood flow is restricted, oxygen delivery to organs like the liver and kidneys is hampered. Without timely treatment, cell death may occur.

What Breeds Are at High Risk of Bloat in Dogs?

Whilst all dog breeds face the possibility of developing bloat, studies show that large and giant dog breeds are more likely to be affected by dog bloat.

Large breeds with deep chests and narrow waists also have a higher likelihood of developing this condition. Listed down are the breeds that are prone to dog bloat:

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What Are the Risk Factors of Bloat in Dogs?

A breed’s size and particular physical traits are not the only observed risk factors for bloat in dogs. According to research, the following also contributes to the development of this life-threatening condition:

Most cases of bloat in dogs occur after 6 p.m.
Dogs that inhale their food are more likely to develop dog bloat. Some believe this is because fast eaters inhale more air whilst eating.
Dogs eating from elevated dog bowls have a high chance of suffering from bloat. Do note that elevated dog bowls were previously seen as preventative. For this reason, it is widely debated if it is beneficial for dogs with bloat or not.
Dogs that are fed one large meal a day of dry food are at high risk, as a large amount of food weighs down their stomachs.
Dogs whose food contains oil or fatty ingredients, including animal fat or sunflower oil, have a 2.4-fold increased risk of bloat.
Lean dogs have a higher risk than overweight dogs. Experts theorise that this is because a lean dog’s stomach has more room, making it twist easily.
Male dogs have a relatively higher risk of getting bloat than female dogs.
Canines whose lineage has suffered from bloat are 60% at risk of experiencing bloat.
Elderly canines are susceptible to bloat.
Large breeds’ chances of developing bloat increase by 20% after they reach 5 years of age.
Giant breeds have an increased risk of 20% after they turn 3 years of age.
Stress causes dogs to be more susceptible to dog bloat.
Dogs possessing aggressive, anxious, and fearful personalities tend to be at high risk of dog bloat.

What Are the First Signs of Bloat in Dogs?

Bloat is a deadly condition, thus spotting it early makes a big difference in increasing a canine’s chances of survival and recovery.

The following symptoms of bloat in dogs typically occur rapidly and last for as long as the pooch is left untreated:

Attempts to vomit, but nothing comes out
Drools more than usual
Has a bloated stomach that is hard to the touch
Experiences pain when the belly is touched
Shows distress—panting, anxiety, pacing, general restlessness

More serious signs of bloat in dogs to watch out for are fast breathing, poor pulse quality, elevated heart rate, and collapse.

Bloat in dogs can turn life-threatening quickly. The AKC Canine Health Foundation states that afflicted canines can die within two hours of the first signs. For this reason, prompt medical treatment is critical.

How Is Bloat in Dogs Treated by the Vet?

Gastric torsion is considered an emergency condition. Do not attempt to use home treatments and remedies as they will be ineffective in resolving bloat.

If you believe that your dog is experiencing bloat, bring him right away to an animal clinic or hospital. Here are the common procedures on how veterinarians treat bloat in dogs:

Do a scan, usually through an X-ray, to get a definite diagnosis.
Sedate the dog to relieve his pain and keep him still. Antibiotics and other medicines may also be administered to the canine patient.
Release gas and air build-up in the dog’s stomach using a stomach pump and tube. Sometimes, emergency surgery is done straightaway to relieve the pressure and keep the stomach tissue from dying.
The vet may also undo the twisting during surgery, but this decision varies from one case to another. Intravenous fluids are also introduced during this phase.
Once the dog is in a stable condition, surgery may be done to undo the damage to the internal organs. The vet may take out dying tissues from the stomach wall due to oxygen deprivation. He may also set the dog’s stomach to the body wall to keep it from twisting once more.

The dog is usually expected to remain in the clinic for 48 hours. He needs to be medically supervised as there is a possibility that toxins released by the affected tissues may lead to various fatal complications. Heart failure may also occur up to 72 hours after treatment.

According to reports, over 80% of dogs experience a recurrence of bloat and succumb to the condition within a year.

Thus, some pet owners opt for their pets to undergo a surgical procedure called gastropexy as a preventative measure. It involves suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall.

Gastropexy can be done at any time, but vets usually do the procedure at the time of spay or neuter. Only less than 5% of dogs that have undergone gastropexy experienced another dog bloat episode.

How to Prevent Bloat in Dogs

To this day, it is still not clear why bloat in dogs occurs. As such, the following preventive measures are the best ways to avoid this problem, especially for dogs that already experienced bloat:

Do not feed your dog straight after exercise; wait for one hour before feeding.
Do not feed your dog large meals, as bloat usually happens after consuming big amounts of food. So split his food into 2–3 small meals.
Do not allow your dog to eat or drink a large amount of water one hour before exercise.
Your dog should not be allowed to drink a large amount of water in one go, especially just after exercise.
Avoid exercising dogs after their meals. You should wait a minimum of 1 hour before exercising your dog.
Feed dogs with food that is low in carbohydrates and fat.
Provide a slow feeding bowl for dogs who are fast eaters.
Exercise your dog regularly to manage their weight. Both underweight and overweight hounds are more likely to develop bloat.

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FAQs About Bloat in Dogs

1. Will a Dog with Bloat Poop?

No, dogs with bloat will often have a hard time pooping. Their twisted stomach prevents them from doing so. They may experience diarrhoea, but there will be no hard stools. Belching and farting are also difficult to do for pooches with dog bloat.

2. Can Bloat in Dogs Resolve Itself?

Yes. Bloat in dogs can resolve itself in some cases, but there is no way to tell when it will happen. So do not wait for your pet to recover from this condition naturally. Otherwise, his chances of surviving might decrease significantly.

If he exhibits signs of bloat, bring him to a veterinarian as soon as possible for proper treatment.

3. Can Bloat in Dogs Be Cured?

Yes. Bloat in dogs can be cured provided that the treatment is given on time. Beware that this deadly condition may recur after recovery. Gastropexy prevents dog bloat from happening again.

4. Can Bloat in Dogs Happen in Small Breeds?

Yes. Although bloat in dogs is commonly seen in large, deep-chested dogs, it can happen even in small breeds. Thus, owners of toy and miniature dogs should also take precautionary measures for bloat in dogs.

Conclusion

Bloat in dogs is a time-sensitive condition that can only be cured in a veterinary setting. Do not try to treat it by yourself as it will only delay his chances of receiving proper treatment. Get your dog to a vet immediately to maximise the chances of surviving GDV.

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