Introduction
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), also termed Bloat or stomach torsion, is a medical condition in which the dog's stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas (Gastric Dilation), combined with the stomach twisting (Volvulus) into an irregular position. When this occurs the air in the stomach is trapped, and the swollen stomach begins to press on the diaphragm and other surrounding organs. Large veins in the abdomen are unable to pump blood back to the heart, and other primary organs begin to shutdown. The dog is now fighting for his or her life and immediate medical attention it required.
Bloat is a life threatening condition that can result in death and requires immediate medical treatment. If you notice your dog is experiencing any of the following symptoms, stop reading and rush him or her the hospital. The sooner medical care can be provided, the better chance of survival your dog has.
Symptoms of Bloat
- Swollen stomach
- Vomiting or gagging continuously with no fluids coming up
- Rapid shallow breathing
- Severe pain
- Constant salivation
Causes of Bloat
The condition of bloat is believed to occur when a dog swallows air, but for some reason the dog is unable to get rid of the air through burping or vomiting. Some of the more widely acknowledged factors for developing bloat include increased age, breed, having a deep and narrow chest, stress, eating foods such as kibble that expand in the stomach, and overfeeding.
Breed Susceptibility to Bloat
There is an extremely strong link between breeds known as deep-chested (Their thoracic and abdominal shape enables torsion to occur) and incidences of bloat. Breeds which seem to suffer the most from this dreaded condition include: the Great Dane, the Saint Bernard, the Weimaraner, the Irish Setter, and the Gordon Setter. The condition also occurs more often in male dogs that are over the age of two.
Prognoses
Without immediate medical care chances for survival are very low. They key to surviving Bloat is acting fast, but statistically only 1/3 of dogs treated actually survive.
If a dog recovers from an episode of bloat, there is an increased risk that the condition may occur again. Surgical treatment usually includes a procedure called a Gastropexy, where the stomach is sutured to the inside of the abdominal wall to help prevent it from twisting again in the future.