what is bloat?

Pet Health Article

• What is Bloat?

Bloat is a life threatening condition that can result in death if it is not treated quickly. Bloat is also termed Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, (GDV), stomach torsion, and twisted stomach. Dogs that develop bloat can die within a matter of hours if emergency surgery is not carried out to correct the condition. Even with emergency surgical measures almost 1/3 of all dogs diagnosed with bloat do not survive.

The condition of bloat is believed to occur when a dog swallows air, but for some reason the dog is unable to get rid of the air through burping. The air becomes trapped in the stomach (Gastric Dilatation), and the swollen stomach then begins to press on the diaphragm and other surrounding organs. Large veins in the abdomen are unable to pump blood back to the heart, and the dog soon has trouble breathing. The stomach filled with air eventually rotates (Volvulus), and the blood supply to the stomach is cut off. The tissues of the stomach quickly begin to die once the rotation occurs.

Signs of bloat include swollen stomachs, vomiting or gagging continuously with no fluids coming up, rapid shallow breathing, severe pain, and constant salivation. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, take your dog to a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately.

There is an extremely strong link between certain breeds and incidences of bloat. Breeds which seem to suffer the most from this dreaded condition include: the Great Dane, the Saint Bernard, the Weimaraner, the Irish Setter, and the Gordon Setter. The condition also occurs more often in male dogs that are over the age of two. If a dog recovers from an episode of bloat, there is an increased risk that the condition may occur again. Preventative surgical measures which reduce a dog’s chances of develop bloat again are available.