Canine Bloat By Denise Fleck, The Pet Safety Crusader™ Akitas, Bloodhounds, Boxers, German shepherds, Irish setters & wolfhounds, St. Bernards, Standard poodles & their mixes (goldendoodles, aussiedoodles) and Weimaraners.
Signs Your Dog is Experiencing Bloat Pain Pacing and restlessness Moaning
Age: For large breeds, the risk of bloat goes up by 20% every year after the age of 5, and for giant breeds its the same but beginning at age 3. The majority of bloating incidents occur between 7 and 12 years of age. Eating fast: Possibly due to increased swallowing of air, but fast eaters increase their risk. Prevention According to a paper published by Tufts University, 30% of dogs that develop bloat die or have to be euthanized. So prevention is truly a pet parent’s best tool to keep their fur kid safe. Portion Control & Slow Down Eating Split the daily amount into two portions to prevent the stomach from being stretched by one large meal. Stretching the stomach also stretches the hepatogastric ligament which keeps the stomach in its proper position Slow down dogs who scarf their food by using puzzle bowls are on the market with compartments or grooves that cause the dog to pace their consumption. Dividing the food into the cups of a muffin tin is a simple and economical way to help your dog eat slowly. Feeding canned/wet food mixed into kibble lowers the incidence of bloat, and keeping a healthy gut by feeding probiotics may help. Exercise After eating, a casual stroll on-leash may help digestion, but NO running, swimming, chasing a ball or other intense activities for two hours after eating or one hour prior. Stress Dogs with fearful and nervous personalities have a higher incidence of bloat than calm and relaxed pups. Ask your veterinarian to refer an animal behaviorist to help you manage your dog’s stress. In multi-pet households, feed the bloat-prone dog separately to prevent him from gulping out of worry that his food may be snagged by another. When stepping out for the evening or when on vacation, hire a professional pet sitter instead of boarding the nervous pup.
Distended abdomen Foamy-ropey saliva
Retching without actual vomiting Dog looks at or bites flank area Rapid, shallow breathing
In the early stages, the dog may still be able to defecate but as organs below the stomach shut down due to lack of blood and oxygen, that won’t be likely. What to Do Remain calm and get your dog to the Veterinarian at once for emergency treatment! This is a life-threatening condition that will not correct itself and time is of the essence – death can occur in minutes! If your dog has any risk factor, discuss with your veterinarian BEFORE bloat becomes an issue. Many at-risk dogs get their stomachs “tacked” (gastropexy) to prevent it from flipping. This is often done at the time of their spay or neuter. Several kinds of gastropexy surgery exist, so your veterinarian is your best resource as to when and what type of surgery is best for YOUR dog. Learn a bit more by watching this video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=483813625575512
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