“Canine Bloat”
is actually called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) and
is the second leading cause of death in large breed (50-90 lbs)
and giant breed (100 lbs and over) dogs. Approximately one in
four large breed dogs, and one in five giant breed dogs, may
develop GDV in their lifetime. GDV presents suddenly and is
life-threatening in one to two hours with a mortality rate of
30%. Certain breeds like Great Danes have an even higher risk.
In fact, 42.4% of Great Danes will “bloat” at some point in
their lives.
What Is Bloat?
Bloat is when
the stomach fills up with gas (i.e. gastric dilatation), so much
that the pressure compresses both ends of the stomach thus
preventing gas escape. This represents about 25% of the cases
and is usually managed without surgery.
Most cases,
75%, include gastric volvulus where the stomach fills with gas
and then twists on itself which cuts off gas
escape and blood circulation.
Thus, gastric
dilatation-volvulus is when the stomach “bloats” and then
“twists”. This more complicated problem is treated with
emergency surgery.
Proven Risk
Factors Include:
-
Deep and narrow chest or abdomen
-
Fast-eating
-
Dry-food diet only
-
A single, large daily meal
-
Fearful, nervous, or aggressive temperament
-
Stress (e.g. kenneling, car rides)
-
A first-generation relative that has had bloat
(parent, sibling)
-
Leanness (i.e. being thin)
-
Raising the height of food and water bowls
-
Restricting water intake before and after
eating
-
Moistening dry food before feeding
-
Experiencing a major health problem before age
one.
-
Age (risk increases with advancing age)
Recommendations To Owners:
-
Feed two or more meals per day
-
Feed no more than one cup per 33 pounds of body
weight per meal when feeding two meals per day
-
Feed an energy-dense diet to reduce volume, but
avoid a diet where a high amount of calories are from fats
-
Feed a variety of different food types
regularly
-
Feed a food with larger particles.
-
Avoid moistening dry foods
-
If your dog eats rapidly, find ways to try to
reduce the speed of eating
-
Avoid raising the food bowl: place it at ground
level instead
-
Try to minimize stress for your dog. Stressful
events have been reported to be precipitating factors in GDV
occurrence
-
Restrict vigorous exercise one hour before and
two hours after meals.
-
Learn to recognize the signs of GDV: pacing and
restlessness, head turning back to look at abdomen, rapid
shallow breathing, nonproductive attempts at vomiting, and
salivation. These symptoms can progress rapidly to shock and
death.
What Else Can
I Do To Protect My Pet?
Our
veterinarians can perform a technologically advanced surgery
called laparoscopic-assisted prophylactic gastropexy.
Keyhole incisions are made to locate the stomach using an
endoscope so it can be sutured to the body wall. This procedure
is much less invasive then the traditional approach with
identical long-term success. It is important to be aware that
the preventative surgery will not prevent the stomach from
abnormally filling with gas (bloat); rather it is designed to
prevent volvulus (twisting of the stomach). It is the volvulus,
not the bloat, which is the life-threatening portion of the
disease. This surgery is quick (30-45 minutes) and can be done
with a high degree of safety in old and young dogs (suggested at
the time of spay/neuter). The recovery period is fast and has
minimal discomfort for your pet.
Please call
for a consultation if you would like to learn more about this
procedure and its potential benefits.
The following
large breed dogs may be at risk of this painful and
life-threatening disorder:
| Akita |
Alaskan
Malamute |
| Borzoi |
Boxer |
| Bull Mastiff |
Dalmatian |
| German
Shepherd |
Gordon Setter |
| Great Dane |
Great Pyrenees |
| Irish Setter |
Irish
Wolfhound |
| Labrador
Retrievers |
Redtick Hound |
| Rottweiler |
Saint Bernard |
| Scottish
Deerhound |
Springer
Spaniel |
| Standard
Poodle |
Weimeraner |
