Canine Bloat is a painful condition when the stomach fills with food or gas; the stomach expands and also can rotate. This twist or rotation of the stomach is called volvulus. This expansion or rotation puts pressure on other organs and also the supply of blood to the heart, and other organs can be blocked. This pressure of the gas in the stomach can be the reason for the difficulty in breathing, and it can also damage the stomach. If you see the signs of bloat, it is recommended to take your dog to the vet immediately. If untreated, it can take a dog’s life in a few hours. In severe cases, it needs surgery to release the gas and correct the position of the stomach.
Symptoms of bloat in dogs
When you see the bloat symptoms, you should take the dog to the emergency vet as soon as possible. This condition is extremely painful, and your dog can die in a matter of hours.
• Your dog is restless and depressed
• The dog is having difficulty in breathing
• Vomiting
• Increase in blood pressure
• Expanded and tight belly (stomach)
• Your dog is drooling excessively
• Pale gums
• Pain in the abdomen
Causes of Canine bloat
The causes of the canine bloat can be a medical mystery sometimes, as you are seeing your dog crying with the stomach pain and the vet has confirmed the bloat, but he/she still is not able to know the cause.
Some dogs can suffer from the bloat, just because their family member suffered before. I am talking about inheriting bloat disease from the parents.
The dogs that eat fast and do not chew the food can suffer from the bloat.
Stress and sadness can also be the reason of painful condition, Bloat.
The dog breeds of the narrow and deep chest have the risk to suffer from this condition.
Diagnosis
The vet will perform some initial tests. He will monitor your dog’s pulse, and if the dog is suffering from the bloat, the pulse will be weak and abnormal. An affected dog will have an enlarged and tight abdomen, and if someone touches it, the dog will cry due to pain. The vet will take the X-ray of the dog to examine whether the stomach is at the normal place or twisted.
Treatment
If you see any sign of bloat, consult immediately with your veterinarian. Initially, the vet will insert a tube through the throat, to release the gases, that is the reason of expanded stomach. If the stomach is twisted, then the vet will begin the surgery to untwist it and take it back to the normal position.
Which breeds suffer more?
There are some breeds of dogs that have the tendency to suffer from bloat. These breeds are;
- Labradors,
- Saint Bernard
- Standard Poodles
- German shepherds
- Great Danes
- Malamutes
- Akita
- Irish Setters
- Boxer
- Dobermans
- Old English Sheepdog
Prevention
Once your dog is treated, and now he is OK, be careful about his health afterward because once a dog had suffered from the bloat, there are more chances to suffer again. Also;
- Give the dog food in the different bowl; because, in one bowl, the dog thinks other dogs will eat more. The dog tries to eat quickly and without chewing the food.
- Do not overfeed
- Don’t let the dog drink a lot of water.
- Don’t allow your dog to run or exercise immediately after the eating food.
Picture credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7WimpThWgY
