GDV or Bloat, is a severe health condition that usually happens to large dogs (but can happen to any dog breed) in which the stomach fills with gas (gets ‘bloated’) and twists around itself so that both the entrance and the exit are blocked.
Twisting of the stomach leads to a shock which, if left untreated, causes death. It is an acute, fast-developing, and life-threatening condition in which we need to act fast and bring the dog to the vet.
Dog Bloat (GDV) Symptoms: How to Spot an Emergency
It all happens fast, and if we are not close to the dog to see the change happen, unfortunately, the prognosis is not good.
Symptoms are:
- Abdomen area enlarged (bloated)
- Salivation
- Retching
- Pain when you press the abdomen
- A dog is not calm, restlessness
Causes and Risk Factors for Canine Bloat (GDV)
The sad truth is that we still don’t know why Bloat happens.
There are some theories, and I will go through them with you, but nothing is yet proven. These are just theories.
- Eating too fast too much
Most dogs eat food as if they’ve never seen food before. However, some dogs are experts at finishing their meals in a second. If a dog eats as fast as mentioned and a lot of food is given to the dog, it increases the risk of bloat.
- One meal a day
Dogs that have one meal a day instead of two (one in the morning and one in the evening) have a higher chance of developing bloat. This theory goes hand in hand with dogs that eat too much too fast.
- Activity after eating
Dogs that start running or have any other high activity right after eating, especially after eating large amounts of food, increase the risk of developing bloat.
- Deep-chested dogs
Large dog breeds and those that have deep chests are at greater risk of developing bloat than other smaller dog breeds. Also, male dogs are at greater risk than female dogs.
- Genetics
Dogs that have had bloat and survived should not be bred. There is a theory that a high risk of bloat is hereditary, meaning it can be transferred to offspring.
- Anxiety
There have been some cases that show dogs with anxiety or fearful dogs are at higher risk of bloat. On the contrary, calm dogs in a calm environment are less likely to develop this health issue.
- Problems with intestinal motion
Some illnesses that cause slow intestinal motion or blockage can increase the risk of developing bloat.
- Type of food
Once again, it’s just a theory. Some connect dog food with a high percentage of soybean or fats and oils with an increased risk of developing GDV.
Can We Prevent Bloat in Dogs?
We cannot exactly prevent bloat, because to prevent something we need to know how it happens. However, we can take all of those theories into account and do our best to avoid the mentioned situations.
- Two meals
It is recommended to divide your dog’s daily meal into two separate smaller meals. One in the morning and the other one in the evening. This way, we prevent our dogs from eating too much food all of a sudden.
- Avoid activity right after mealtime
As mentioned, there is a theory that high activity after eating can lead to bloat. Give your dog some time after a meal, half an hour, before letting him run around.
- Low-stress environment
It’s like with people, stress can cause various health issues. Making sure our dogs live in a stress-free or low-stress environment is the first step in helping them calm down. You can also consult a behaviorist to help with the anxiety in your dog(s).
- Read the food ingredients
If the first four ingredients of your dog’s food are fats, oil, and soybean – change the food. It doesn’t have to be the pricy one, just look into the ingredients and choose those with a high percentage of proteins and a low percentage of carbohydrates. For example, one of Nature’s Recipe grain-free products or Hill’s Science Diet Adult.
Dog Bloat (GDV) Treatment: Emergency Care and Surgical Options
The only thing we can do is take the dog to the vet. As fast as possible!
The vet and the staff will first try to stabilize the dog and treat the shock symptoms, if present, before going through any surgical procedures. These include IV fluids and necessary medications.
When the dog is stable, there are several surgical procedures, but the two most commonly done are gastropexy and pyloroplasty.
Pyloroplasty
This surgery includes removing all the damaged parts of the stomach (if there are any), deflating the stomach, and turning it back into its normal position. The veterinarian will surgically open the pylorus (an opening between the stomach and duodenum) and empty the stomach – deflate it.
Gastropexy
After the pyloroplasty, some veterinarians will do a procedure where they suture the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent it from twisting again.
There is actually an ongoing debate about whether this should be done as a preventive method. However, we cannot be 100% sure what dog is at risk. We could do it on susceptible breeds, but the surgery is expensive and not without risks.
Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Develop Bloat?
As mentioned, some dog breeds are more prone to developing GDV than others. These are all large dog breeds with deep chests.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that a Rottweiler or a Beauceron won’t develop Bloat. All dogs can suffer from it, these mentioned dog breeds are theorized to be the most susceptible.
Summary
Bloat or GDV is a serious disorder that can happen to any dog. However, we saw some theories that show there are some signs and clues as to what dogs are at higher risk of developing it.
In the end, the best prevention is two meals a day, using slow feeders for dogs that eat too fast, and making sure a dog has some rest right after they finish eating.
And if you see your dog having Bloat symptoms – take him to the vet right away.
FAQ
What is dog bloat (GDV)?
Dog bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a life-threatening condition where a dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists. The twisting cuts off blood supply and can quickly lead to shock or death without emergency treatment.
How quickly can bloat kill a dog?
Bloat can become fatal within a few hours. Once the stomach twists, blood circulation is compromised, and the condition rapidly worsens. Immediate veterinary care is critical.
What are the first signs of bloat in dogs?
Early signs of dog bloat include a swollen or hard abdomen, restlessness, pacing, drooling, retching without vomiting, and signs of pain. If you notice these symptoms, seek emergency care right away.
Which dog breeds are most at risk for bloat?
Large and deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, and Doberman Pinschers are at higher risk. However, any dog can develop bloat.
Can dog bloat be prevented?
Bloat cannot always be prevented, but you can reduce risk by feeding smaller meals, avoiding intense exercise after eating, slowing down fast eaters, and discussing preventive surgery (gastropexy) with your veterinarian for high-risk breeds.
Is bloat in dogs always fatal?
No, but it is always a medical emergency. With rapid veterinary treatment — often including surgery — many dogs survive. The key factor is how quickly treatment begins.
