Bloat: A Killer in Dogs

One of the biggest health risks posed to many dogs is a life-threating condition called ‘bloat’ (also referred to as ‘gastric dilation’) which requires immediate veterinary attention. When this occurs, the dog’s stomach becomes bloated as it fills with excessive gas, combined with fluid and/or food. The increased pressure and size of the stomach can, among other things, compress surrounding veins and organs, leading to low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and shock.
 
This situation can be further complicated by the stomach twisting on itself, (termed ‘gastric dilation volvulus’), which prevents the gas from escaping and cuts off the blood supply to the spleen and the stomach. If emergency veterinary surgery to untwist the stomach is not performed with a matter of hours, the dog will sadly die.   
 
A dog suffering from bloat may show some of (but not limited to) the following signs: drooling, panting, paying anxious attention to their abdomen, have a hard and/or swollen stomach that feels as taut as a drum skin, retching without producing anything, stretching regularly, generally acting uncomfortable and distressed.
 
The exact cause of this condition is still unclear, but research has shown that it is most common in (but not exclusive to) large, deep-chested breeds, and those who are closely related to other dogs with a history of bloat. Older dogs also tend to have an increased risk, as do those dogs that are fed a single large meal per day, eat their food rapidly, drink excessively, or have undergone a stressful event.
 
To help reduce the risk of your dog developing bloat, you should feed several smaller meals per day instead of one large one, maintain him at a healthy weight, and avoid exercising him for one to two hours before and after feeding.
 
Further advice and information on this condition can be obtained from your vet. ©