If you’ve read Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Grogan’s book “Marley and Me,” or seen the heart-wrenching movie based on his life with his mischievous Yellow Lab, then you’ve witnessed what can happen to a beloved dog when it comes down with “bloat.”
The term “bloat” (or GDV) actually refers to two conditions that, combined, constitute a true veterinary emergency.
The first condition is gastric dilatation, in which a dog’s stomach enlarges with an excess build-up of fluid and/or gas, putting pressure on the animal’s diaphragm and other organs. This pressure makes it difficult for the dog to breathe. Additionally, the air-filled stomach compresses the large veins in the abdomen, preventing blood from returning to the heart and causing cardiac distress.
The second condition that may, or may not, occur after the stomach enlarges is volvulus. During volvulus, the bloated stomach can easily rotate on itself, become displaced in the abdominal cavity, and pinch off its own blood supply. At this point, with the dog’s entire blood supply to the abdomen interrupted, the stomach begins to die. Without immediate veterinary care, a dog with GDV will die.
You may be asking yourself, “Is my dog predisposed to this disease?”
A study by Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine determined that GDV occurs more often in large breed dogs with deep, narrow chests. Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, German Shepherds, Newfoundlands, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers are much more likely to develop this condition than are dogs of smaller breeds. The exception to that rule is the Bassett Hound, who, while not as large as the other dogs, is known for that deep, narrow chest. The problem can still occur in small breeds, but is quite rare.
Male dogs between the ages of 7 and 10 appear to be twice as likely to develop GDV than do younger males and females of any age. Genetics also appears to play a role in this disease, with certain breeding lines known for their particularly narrow, deep chests prone to bloat more than others. Dogs fed once a day are twice as likely to develop GDV as those fed twice, or even three times, a day. Rapid eaters, nervous, fearful dogs, and dogs who exercise soon after meals are also at increased risk.
If your dog is one of those breeds I just mentioned – or a mix of those breeds – there are some signs and symptoms you need to watch out for. Most obviously, look for a swollen, painful belly, retching and non-productive vomiting. Other signs may include rapid, shallow breathing, restlessness, and excessive salivation or drooling. If left untreated, dogs with bloat will deteriorate rapidly, go into shock with a weak pulse, pale gums and mucous membranes, develop a rapid heart rate and eventually collapse. Only quick emergency veterinary intervention can help your pet once bloating occurs.
Initial veterinary treatment for bloat revolves around getting your dog stabilized with pain killing medications and intravenous fluids. If a twisting volvulus is detected, emergency surgery is necessary to correct the problem.
There is a procedure called preventative gastropexy that can be performed early in a dog’s life that will greatly reduce the risk of a future emergency. Traditionally, the abdominal incision for surgery to correct GDV is very long, nearly the entire length of your dog’s abdominal wall. A preventative gastropexy done by minimally invasive surgery, using laparoscopic equipment, leaves only a 2-inch incision site.
The benefits of doing this at a time when the dog is healthy far outweigh the risks. In fact, it is recommended to be done at the time of neuter or spay, when the dog will already be under anaesthesia.
The cost for emergency intervention and surgery will be far greater than the costs associated with the elective, preventative procedure.
Gastropexy, where part of the stomach is secured to the body wall, locks it in place and prevents it from being able to rotate. If the stomach does bloat at a later time, as it can no longer twist it will remain in place, significantly lowering the death risk.
Remember, bloat is a veterinary emergency, so see your vet immediately at the first symptoms in your dog.
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