Bloat is a serious and life-threatening condition that is brought about by excess food, gas, fluid, or other material in the stomach. Bloat can occur very quickly and is a true veterinary emergency as bloat can progress to twisting of the stomach, known as gastric dilation & volvulus (GDV). GDV is ultimately fatal if not addressed quickly.
Risk factors for bloat include:
- Large and/or giant breed dogs
- Deep chested dogs
- Dogs feed exclusively dry food (in particularly dry food with fat in the first 4-5 ingredients)
- Dogs who exercise rigorously after eating
- Dogs who gorge themselves on food
- Dogs with underlying gastrointestinal disease, such as delayed gastric emptying, may also be predisposed to bloat.
Symptoms:
- Swollen or distended abdomen
- Retching and nonproductive vomiting
- Restlessness
- Depressed attitude
- Sudden weakness
- Collapse
- Pale mucous membranes
Diagnostics:
Bloat is generally diagnosed based on history, physical examination, and abdominal x-rays. However, your veterinarian may also recommend additional tests to determine severity, such as:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Blood chemistry panel
- Urinalysis
- Blood pressure measurement
Treatment:
Depending upon the severity, bloat may be managed by supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and pain medication, or it may require decompression of the stomach, either with a large needle or stomach tube.
If GDV has developed, immediate surgical treatment to resolve the volvulus is indicated, and hospitalization postoperatively will likely be indicated to further stabilize your dog.