What is Dog Bloat and How to Cure It?

This illness can affect all dogs at anytime in their lives. This is such a serious health condition that it can kill if it isn't treated fast and effectively by your vet. Dog bloat is also known by another name - GDV or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus. It is also sometimes referred to as Gastric Distension and Gastric Torsion. Although there are certain breeds of dog that are more prone to this illness it is primarily caused by your dog eating his food too fast. Most dog's eat their food very fast and when this happens it can cause air to also be swallowed along with the food. It is also possible for your dog to get this condition when he has swallowed lots of water really fast as this can also cause air to be swallowed at the same time causing stomach distension.

Dog bloat not only causes the stomach to distend due to the build up of gas and air but the volvulus can also extend and then twist up to 180 to 360 degrees. This can cause the esophagus to become blocked - the duodenum may also become blocked and pinched trapping more gas, fluid and air in the stomach. If the spleen also becomes blocked then this may also block off the blood supply and this is when the condition becomes life threatening. However, your dog should not have reached this stage as he should have been take to the vet way before the symptoms progressed this far.

There has also been some evidence to suggest that certain dry dog food that has fat listed in the first four ingredients on the label are 170% more likely to cause the condition. The symptoms of canine bloat may include some of the following.

• Your dog may try to vomit unsuccessfully - retching.
• Your dog's stomach may appear bloated and larger than usual
• You may notice that your dog is drooling
• Lethargy and restlessness is another symptom of this condition

If your dog has not been treated during these early stages then your dog may develop some of the more serious symptoms listed below.

• Your dog's heart rate may be really fast
• The pulse may be weak
• Your dog may have difficulty in breathing
• Rapid breathing is another symptom of this condition
• If symptoms have progressed too far then your dog may actually collapse.

Treatment for dog bloat will involve your vet putting a long tube (without the volvulus issue) into your dog's stomach to through his mouth so that it will help your dog release any air and fluid that has been trapped. The vet will then fast your dog for about 36 hours giving intravenous fluids via a drip. If the volvulus issues have been diagnosed then surgery may need to be performed - this is when the stomach and the spleen are repositioned.