UC Davis Book of Dogs: A Complete Medical Reference Guide for Dogs & Puppies
I hope this will help you understand a bit more about Bloat!
GDV or commonly called Bloat actually covers three conditions.
Each condition can always progress to the next condition: |
GASTRIC DILATATION A distended, swollen stomach is called gastric dilatation. It may sound and look like a watermelon. It can be full of air or food substances. The stomach can get so full that it can't empty it's contents by belching, vomiting or pass it through digestion this causes an obstruction. Call your Vet caught really early it can be fixed simply. The vet may or may not suggest medication and close observation of your dog. |
GASTRIC TORSION The distended stomach as above or simply a full stomach suddenly twists even less than 180 degrees, the dog is displaying gastric torsion again the stomach can get so full that it can't empty it's contents by belching, vomiting or pass it through digestion this causes an obstruction. The twisting causes damage to tissues and or organs. Get to your Vet. |
GASTRIC VOLVULUS- The stomach twists more than 180 to 360 degrees. This twisting now closes off the stomach at the esophagus or food tube and the duodenum or small intestine. Ischemia, which is the lack of blood flow, supplying oxygen to these twisted gastrointestinal tract tissues quickly causing necrosis of tissue (death of tissue). Soon bacteria, from the necrosis and gets into the blood stream. This can lead to massive infection or septic shock. The stomach again just gets distended but now can't empty it's contents due to the twisting. It is totally obstructed. The distention or dilatation also puts pressure on the, diaphragm, lungs causing difficulty in breathing, liver and other organs. This distention also puts pressure on blood vessels slowing blood return to the heart. Resulting in lowered blood pressure. There is less and less blood volume for the heart to pump. Heart function is compromised due to lack of venous blood return. Ventricular Tachycardia (fast beating of the ventricles) can occur along with Heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats) caused the lack of oxygen to the heart tissue, damage to the heart muscle. The spleen can begin to bleed because it is attached to the stomach the twisting causes it to separate. Clotting abnormalities - disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - may develop. The dog can "bleed out" quickly. A vet needs to be called before any of this happens. Shock and death follow if treatment is initiated too late. It can take less than an hour or up to 36 hours for it to result in death. |
It is difficult to know which condition is occurring so consult a vet ASAP if you suspect it.
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This is what to really watch for. Excessive drooling, foamy saliva, nausea, retching, coughing, gagging or, a dog trying to vomit but being unable to, restlessness, unable to get comfortable, dog is short of breath due to pain due to the actual compression of the diaphragm and the lungs, unable to breath properly, gum's color can range from ruddy to white depending on which condition or stage it is in. The thing to note about the gums is that they do not change color quickly after you push on it with your finger and releasing it. |
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Learn to take you dogs vitals, heart rate, breaths per minute, temperature, look at the eyes inside the lower lid just by pulling lower lid down, check color of gums, press on them slightly and note change in color or lack of it. It is a good Idea to do these things when he is healthy so you can tell the marked difference when he is not well. These few things can help assess your dog so you can tell the vet what is going on. |
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GDV is most common in but not limited to deep chested or large to giant breed of dogs like ours. |
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It is not just happening to larger breeds it also occurs in smaller breeds. It depends on many factors. |
GDV has been most associated with eating or drinking before or after exercise. |
Major reasons why Bloat occurs are:
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A dog eats or drinks a meal after playing or running. |
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A dog finds water after a rain, drinks too much and continues playing. |
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A dog starts gulping a lot of air while it eating or drinking to quickly as when too hungry thirsty or nervous. They can do this out of habit. |
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A dog gulps down a very large volume of any type food substances. |
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A dog eats uncooked bread dough they have found this may be from the high yeast content and fermentation. They have found this since people now have home bread machines. The dog finds dough rising and eats it. I have also heard a case where the dog got hold of a watermelon it fermented and had same results!! |
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A dog overeating, getting to people food or feed too much food at once. |
Do understand it can happen
to many breeds large and small. Giants are not more apt to get it, but it is possible and I have known a few giants through friendships who have gotten this.
Madeline Wilson
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Some good online sources are
http://www.adoptagolden.com/k9stuff/vetcorner/bloat.htm
http://www.seanet.com/~gtate/bloatbk/bloat.htm
http://www.animalclinic.com/bloat.htm
http://www.eclipse.net/~bobaloo/bloat.htm
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FUN BREED GIFTS bumper stickers
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