Bloat

[Dignity]

I've been reading a lot of members talking about bloat and realized that some people may not be familiar with what bloat is. So here's a little 'study' I put together. For those of you who are 'experts' on the subject, please feel free to add more information .

Bloat in dogs


What is bloat? According to researchers, Bloat is the second highest ranking killer among dogs, the first is cancer. There are two different types of bloat:
gastric dilatation - swelling of the stomach caused by gas
gastric dilatation with volvulus - this is when part of the stomach/intestines get twisted

Often times, both types of bloat are seen in an episode. When this happens, Bloat is fatal within MINUTES. There are some cases where you may have up to a few hours, but it is rare.

Signs of Bloat: excessive salivation/drooling, extreme restlessness/pacing, unproductive attempts to vomit/defecate, evidence of abdominal pain (whining and tenderness in the stomach area), abdominal distension, rapid breathing/panting, cold/pale mouth membranes, collapse, licking the air, Drinking excessively, accelerated heart beat, refusing to lay or sit down

Treatment: Emergency Surgery

Factors that can cause bloat: Using a raised food bowl (this has been argued both ways that it helps prevent and it helps cause bloat), Speed of eating, Age in years, chest depth, first degree relative that suffered from bloat, stress (dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, change in routine, new dog, etc), food with citric acid as a preservative, dry foods with fat in the first 4 ingredients, exercise before and ESPECIALLY after eating, characteristics (deep chest, older, males, underweight are at higher risk)

Things to do:
Know of a vet that has emergency hours that is close to home,

Always keep a ‘dog-safe’ product with simethicone on hand (Mylanta Gas (not plain Mylanta), Gas-X, etc). If you notice these symptoms, one of these products could help buy you some time (It will do just that - BUY time, not fix the problem).

Feed 2-3 times a day instead of 1 large meal

Allow access to water at all times (some people say do not allow access to water before/after meals)

Switch dog food gradually

Promote “friendly” bacteria in the intestine (example: yogurt)

Breeds MOST affected by bloat (this does not mean your breed may not get bloat if it is not on the list): Afghan, Airedale, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Basset Hound, Bernese Mt Dog, Borzoi, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Collie, Dachsund, Doberman, English Springer Spaniel, Fila Brasileiro, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, 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, Sighthounds, Bloodhounds.

[Dax]

I've also read that once a dog suffers bloat, they are prone to reoccurances. One of the procedures is to staple the stomach wall so it can't happen (Yikes).

[Camberaoh]

Great infor Digs!! i watched my friends great dane die of this its very very painful.. we just couldnt get her to the vet in time she died as we walked in the door. It happens so fast.

[shanniesue2]

Thanks for the post, digs...
One of the factors for bloat was age. Are puppies more or less prone to bloat than adult dogs?

[Dignity]

Originally Posted by shanniesue2

Thanks for the post, digs...
One of the factors for bloat was age. Are puppies more or less prone to bloat than adult dogs?

Older dogs tend to be more susceptable from the research I put into it. Of course any dog can get bloat at any age.

[cwhalen]

This is a great post and worth reading. Thank you. It started me thinking and I did some further reading on bloat.