Bloat
For
more information on clinical studies:
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/vad/cae/cgdvweb.htm
Bloat, sometimes called Stomach Torsion, is actually Gastric
Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV).
Bloat for short. We do not know what causes it and we do not have
a sure-fire treatment -- 25% of dogs with bloat will die despite veterinary
treatment, 100% of bloated dogs will have a recurrence if not treated surgically,
and 5% will recur even if treated surgically.
Precipitating
factors:
* Deep chested breeds
(Malamutes & Siberians, too)
* Greedy Eaters who
inhale food and lots of air
* Obesity (no relationship
between spaying/neutering and obesity found in these studies)
* Age (average age
was 7, but 6mo puppies have bloated as well)
* Familial History
of bloat -- not a simple inheritance
* 1 meal/day
* 6 p.m. to midnight,
nearly 80% in this time frame
* Change in feeding
time
* Larger meal than
normal
* 1 in 4 will bloat
if they live to be 12yo (in Irish Setters)
* Food intolerances
-- seen more often in Larger breeds
* Shyer dogs are more
likely than Confident dogs
Symptoms:
* Swelling/Distended
abdomen, especially the left side
* Discomfort &
restlessness
* Belching
* Salivating
* Flatulence
* Diarrhea
* Vomiting with nothing
coming up
* Symptoms get progressively
worse.
* Shock caused by
pressure on large blood vessels going back to the heart.
* Toxic build up in
the stomach because digestion stops
Treatments:
Since a dog that bloats
has a 25% chance of NOT surviving 7 days, take him to the vet! The
vet may do several things:
* Anti-gas medicines,
* Intravenous fluids
for shock
* Stomach tubing,
* Needles into the
stomach to relieve pressure,
* Gastroplexy -- surgery
to include reduction of pressure, removal of material, examination of stomach
walls, and stapling of the stomach to the diaphragm to prevent rotation
the next time.
Insist on an x-ray!
Many dogs die from what was originally thought to be a belly-ache.
The onset is fast and life threatening.
Possible
Solutions:
* Smaller meals more
frequently
* Hand feeding, rewarding
for gentle/slow eating, taps on the nose for greedy inhaling.
* Earlier feedings
Some possible solutions NOT yet researched OR ruled out are:
* Water in food
* Restricting exersice before and after eating 30 minutes - 2 hours
* Elevated feeding or making the dog lie down while eating (crating)
Our rescue Bourbon
of the Kansas Puppymill fame, bloated after placement. He survived
because of prompt vet care. He had many of the precipitating
factors, but also did NOT have many of them. He was 9yo Siberian
Husky who is exceedingly shy. More from owners....
Pictures of surgery...
