There are many articles on the Internet that talk about Bloat. Because of this, I will make this extremely short and link other resources you can read and learn more. What I want this to be is a quick reference, something you can log in, do a search for Bloat, glance at this article, and head to the vet if necessary. If you own a Standard Poodle, your dog is at a very high risk for Bloat. The older your dog, the greater your risk!!!
What is Bloat?
The medical term for Bloat is: Gastric dilatation (stomach filling with gas) with or without volvulus (twisting of the stomach).
A lateral radiograph of a dog with a gastric volvulus. Note the stomach is markedly distended with gas (which shows up as black on the radiograph) and the stomach is occupying nearly the entire abdomen. From http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/GastricDilatationVolvulus/
A great image on what happens when the stomach twist during bloat from http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=672
Symptoms:
1. Pacing, whining, stretching, panting, unable to relax, in stress, in pain. Looking at abdomen, not acting normal!
2. Trying to vomit, trying to have a bowl movement, able to vomit but it is only bile.
3. Abdomen swollen and / or painful.
Treatment:
1. Go to the vet or emergence vet now!
2. Check in at the vet saying you think your dog is bloating.
3. Demand an X-ray before they do anything else. The X-ray will confirm if the dog is full of gas and if the stomach has twisted. They will probably want to do bloodwork and a lot of other test, but those can wait until after the x-ray.
4. If the stomach has filled with gas, but not twisted the vet must do three things and do them quick.
- Decompress the stomach by tubing the dog.
- Start an IV to reverse or prevent shock
- check heart rhythm and stabilize if needed
5. Surgery is needed:
- If that dog’s stomach has never been tacked.
- If the stomach has twisted
Even if the dog’s stomach has not twisted yet, the likelihood bloat will occur again during the dogs life is almost 80%. The dog’s stomach must be tacked to help prevent future twisting. If the dogs stomach has only filled with gas but not twisted and the stomach has already been tacked, they can decompress without surgery.
Articles:
Bloat- Mother of all Emergencies – Really easy to read article on the subject.
GASTRIC DILATATION/VOLVULUS SYNDROME IN DOGS – American College of Veterinary Surgeons article.
Next read Causes and Prevention. I’ve never had a dog bloat and I believe a few prophylactic steps have helped me avoid this major issue in this breed.
~Becky