Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
A Vet's Article about Bloat - a must read for everyone! We can always learn something new
by Elise M. Atkinson, CVT
GDV: A Silent Killer
Gastric dilatation is when a dog’s stomach fills with excess gas, fluid, or foam. A dog with gastric dilatation looks like it has swallowed a large balloon. Although it causes physical discomfort, this type of bloat doesn’t last long and may go away on its own.
A dog with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) also looks “inflated,” but after the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or foam, it turns or torses. When the stomach twists, it traps gas or food and may cut off the blood supply to the stomach tissues, causing part or all of the stomach to die. Surrounding tissues and organs may be affected as well. This is extremely painful for the dog and fatal if not treated immediately.
In fact, 30% of dogs that get GDV die before they can be seen by a veterinarian or don’t survive long enough to have life-saving surgery, according to Larry Glickman, VMD, DrPH, one of the researchers for a 2004 study conducted at Purdue University.
What Increases a Dog’s Risk for GDV?
Kara Tennant, DVM, of AAHA-accredited Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Bristow, Va., explains, “We still do not know the exact cause of bloat, but we are aware of certain risk factors that can increase a dog’s chances. The most common history is a large-breed dog that eats or drinks rapidly, then exercises.” In 2004, researchers at Purdue University reported five additional risk factors.
Chest size. Dogs with deep chests (such as Great Danes, Irish setters, rottweilers, and collies) are much more likely to develop GDV.
Raised food dishes. In the past, veterinarians recommended raising food dishes to shoulder height for large dogs. This was thought to prevent GDV, but the Purdue researchers found that the opposite is true. So throw those raised dishes away!
Genetics. Although there is a genetic link, most dog owners don’t have enough information about their dog’s genetic background to know if it is a factor.
Age. Older dogs are more likely to get GDV.
Gulping. Dogs that gulp their food face a two-fold threat. They quickly gulp large amounts of air with their food, and don’t know when to call it quits.
"Vomiting is the hallmark of bloat," Tennant says. Other possible signs of GDV include:
Dry heaves — retching without producing vomit
Excessive drooling
Restlessness — pacing, won’t lie down
Fast heart rate
Labored or distressed breathing — seems like an effort to breathe
Biting at stomach
Swollen stomach
Whining, grunting in pain
Reduce Your Dog’s Risk
Put your dog’s food dish on the ground; do not use raised food dishes.
Do not let your dog gulp food or water. There are food bowls made to slow down gulpers.
Consider preventive surgery to tack the stomach to the abdominal wall.
Divide your pet’s daily food into two or three meals.
Do not exercise your dog immediately before or after it eats.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has GDV
If your dog shows signs of GDV, seek emergency veterinary treatment immediately. When possible, call your veterinarian or the closest emergency clinic to let them know you are on your way and that your dog might have GDV.
Once you arrive at the hospital, every minute counts. Your dog may be going into shock and need to be stabilized. Your veterinarian will give your dog intravenous fluids, take X-rays, and relieve the pressure and gas either by passing a tube down your dog’s throat and into the stomach, or by piercing the outside of the stomach with a large needle.
Be prepared for your dog to go to surgery; it is the only way to be absolutely sure the stomach is untwisted and emptied. It also gives the surgeon a chance to inspect the stomach and surrounding tissues and organs for any damage. Your surgeon may also want to perform a gastropexy — a procedure where the stomach is sutured in place to prevent it from twisting again.
Following surgery, your dog will have to stay in the hospital for several days on fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication.
Never, Never, Never
Do not try to treat your pet for GDV without the help of a veterinarian. Many websites have information about bloat and some provide detailed instructions for how to tube your pet to relieve the gas in his stomach. Never do this. This procedure should only be performed by your veterinarian. If you are not a trained professional, you could easily pass the tube incorrectly and cause harm, or even death, to your dog.
© 2009 American Animal Hospital Association. All rights reserved.
GDV: A Silent Killer
Gastric dilatation is when a dog’s stomach fills with excess gas, fluid, or foam. A dog with gastric dilatation looks like it has swallowed a large balloon. Although it causes physical discomfort, this type of bloat doesn’t last long and may go away on its own.
A dog with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) also looks “inflated,” but after the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or foam, it turns or torses. When the stomach twists, it traps gas or food and may cut off the blood supply to the stomach tissues, causing part or all of the stomach to die. Surrounding tissues and organs may be affected as well. This is extremely painful for the dog and fatal if not treated immediately.
In fact, 30% of dogs that get GDV die before they can be seen by a veterinarian or don’t survive long enough to have life-saving surgery, according to Larry Glickman, VMD, DrPH, one of the researchers for a 2004 study conducted at Purdue University.
What Increases a Dog’s Risk for GDV?
Kara Tennant, DVM, of AAHA-accredited Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Bristow, Va., explains, “We still do not know the exact cause of bloat, but we are aware of certain risk factors that can increase a dog’s chances. The most common history is a large-breed dog that eats or drinks rapidly, then exercises.” In 2004, researchers at Purdue University reported five additional risk factors.
Chest size. Dogs with deep chests (such as Great Danes, Irish setters, rottweilers, and collies) are much more likely to develop GDV.
Raised food dishes. In the past, veterinarians recommended raising food dishes to shoulder height for large dogs. This was thought to prevent GDV, but the Purdue researchers found that the opposite is true. So throw those raised dishes away!
Genetics. Although there is a genetic link, most dog owners don’t have enough information about their dog’s genetic background to know if it is a factor.
Age. Older dogs are more likely to get GDV.
Gulping. Dogs that gulp their food face a two-fold threat. They quickly gulp large amounts of air with their food, and don’t know when to call it quits.
"Vomiting is the hallmark of bloat," Tennant says. Other possible signs of GDV include:
Dry heaves — retching without producing vomit
Excessive drooling
Restlessness — pacing, won’t lie down
Fast heart rate
Labored or distressed breathing — seems like an effort to breathe
Biting at stomach
Swollen stomach
Whining, grunting in pain
Reduce Your Dog’s Risk
Put your dog’s food dish on the ground; do not use raised food dishes.
Do not let your dog gulp food or water. There are food bowls made to slow down gulpers.
Consider preventive surgery to tack the stomach to the abdominal wall.
Divide your pet’s daily food into two or three meals.
Do not exercise your dog immediately before or after it eats.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has GDV
If your dog shows signs of GDV, seek emergency veterinary treatment immediately. When possible, call your veterinarian or the closest emergency clinic to let them know you are on your way and that your dog might have GDV.
Once you arrive at the hospital, every minute counts. Your dog may be going into shock and need to be stabilized. Your veterinarian will give your dog intravenous fluids, take X-rays, and relieve the pressure and gas either by passing a tube down your dog’s throat and into the stomach, or by piercing the outside of the stomach with a large needle.
Be prepared for your dog to go to surgery; it is the only way to be absolutely sure the stomach is untwisted and emptied. It also gives the surgeon a chance to inspect the stomach and surrounding tissues and organs for any damage. Your surgeon may also want to perform a gastropexy — a procedure where the stomach is sutured in place to prevent it from twisting again.
Following surgery, your dog will have to stay in the hospital for several days on fluids, antibiotics, and pain medication.
Never, Never, Never
Do not try to treat your pet for GDV without the help of a veterinarian. Many websites have information about bloat and some provide detailed instructions for how to tube your pet to relieve the gas in his stomach. Never do this. This procedure should only be performed by your veterinarian. If you are not a trained professional, you could easily pass the tube incorrectly and cause harm, or even death, to your dog.
© 2009 American Animal Hospital Association. All rights reserved.
Comment
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Comment by Michele Barton on April 23, 2009 at 8:38am
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Our yellow lab mix Artie died from bloat at 5 years old. We didn't know what it was, but he was clearly in agony and we took him to an emergency vet in the middle of a very bad snowstorm. He died on the operating table, his stomach was literally coming apart in the vet's hands. If it hadn't been for that storm, he may still be alive today. We had recently switched to elevated food dishes, thinking it was the healthiest thing we could do. This is the first I've heard about the food dishes as a cause. We will definitely not use them for our new pups. Thank you for posting this. It's been 5 years and I still grieve for Artie, he was a great dog.
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Comment by LuvMyAbby&Kaela on April 22, 2009 at 4:10pm
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Good info to know. Thanks!
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Comment by Kyoko on April 21, 2009 at 9:43pm
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http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topics/bloat-or-twisted-stomach
There are a lots of discussion in regard to Bloat on our Health Issue Group. This is very scary stuff.
My 13 year old Chow had it 2 years ago.
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Comment by Ellen Seckler on April 21, 2009 at 6:53pm
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Ironic as it may seem we saw the movie Marley on Christmas Day and then the next day our doodle Ozzie who was 11 months old developed bloat. Our quick thinking daughter saved his life by taking him to the vet. He was operated on within 24 hours and 3 days later he was home recuperating with us. We make sure now that he doesn't run around an hour before or after he eats and have purchased a special dog bowl with obstructions in order to slow down his eating. I only wish our vet or would have warned us of this danger.
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Comment by Debbie and Thomas on April 21, 2009 at 4:06pm
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I posed a question about 6 weeks ago on this forum about raised feeding bowls. After hearing everyone tell me that it can cause bloat-I investigated it. Raised feeding bowls actually increase the risk of bloat by 110 percent!! Thanks for posting this article-we should all know what the symptoms are. Frankly, before we got our doodle, I had never even heard of it. Now- at least I know what the symptoms are and what to do if it is suspected.
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Comment by Margaret Erwin on April 21, 2009 at 12:23pm
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We lost our 10 year old pyrenees to bloat in Dec. She had not just eaten and had simply run outside to relieve herself. Shortly thereafter she ran inside and was obviously frightened about something. At the time, we thought perhaps she was having a stroke. Due to arthritis, she had become more immobile and we were prepared to have her gone in the morning( it happened around 11pm). In the morning we found her in our closet and her stomach was very swollen and tender to the touch. Our regret is that we did not take her to the ER the night before as we now know she must have been in quite a bit of pain. If we had, we still would have put her down, but she would not have been in pain all night long.
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Comment by Paula on April 21, 2009 at 11:25am
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My Doodle also always eats lying down with his paws outstretched and his bowl between them. You know; that lion-like pose. He drinks standing up though.
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Comment by Joanne ~ Spud* on April 21, 2009 at 9:29am
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Raised Food Dishes are not good. So this brings another question. My doodle eats and drinks lying down. I have been told this is bad. Any thoughts or information about a doodle who eats and drinks lying down.
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