For more information on clinical studies:
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/vad/cae/cgdvweb.htm
Bloat, sometimes called Stomach Torsion, is actually Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV). Bloat for short. We do not know what causes it and we do not have a sure-fire treatment — 25% of dogs with bloat will die despite veterinary treatment, 100% of bloated dogs will have a recurrence if not treated surgically, and 5% will recur even if treated surgically.
Precipitating factors:
* Deep
chested breeds (Malamutes & Siberians, too)
* Greedy
Eaters who inhale food and lots of air
* Obesity
(no relationship between spaying/neutering and obesity found in these studies)
* Age
(average age was 7, but 6mo puppies have bloated as well)
* Familial
History of bloat — not a simple inheritance
* 1
meal/day
* 6 p.m. to
midnight, nearly 80% in this time frame
* Change in
feeding time
* Larger
meal than normal
* 1 in 4
will bloat if they live to be 12yo (in Irish Setters)
* Food
intolerances — seen more often in Larger breeds
* Shyer
dogs are more likely than Confident dogs
Symptoms:
*
Swelling/Distended abdomen, especially the left side
*
Discomfort & restlessness
* Belching
*
Salivating
*
Flatulence
*
Diarrhea
* Vomiting
with nothing coming up
* Symptoms
get progressively worse.
* Shock caused
by pressure on large blood vessels going back to the heart.
* Toxic
build up in the stomach because digestion stops
Treatments:
Since a dog
that bloats has a 25% chance of NOT surviving 7 days, take him to the
vet! The vet may do several things:
* Anti-gas
medicines,
*
Intravenous fluids for shock
* Stomach
tubing,
* Needles
into the stomach to relieve pressure,
*
Gastroplexy — surgery to include reduction of pressure, removal of material,
examination of stomach walls, and stapling of the stomach to the diaphragm to
prevent rotation the next time.
Insist on an x-ray! Many dogs die from what was originally thought to be a belly-ache. The onset is fast and life threatening.
Possible Solutions:
* Smaller
meals more frequently
* Hand
feeding, rewarding for gentle/slow eating, taps on the nose for greedy
inhaling.
* Earlier
feedings
Some possible solutions NOT
yet researched OR ruled out are:
* Water in food
* Restricting exersice before and after eating 30 minutes – 2 hours
* Elevated feeding or making the dog lie down while eating (crating)
Our rescue Bourbon of the Kansas Puppymill fame, bloated after placement. He survived because of prompt vet care. He had many of the precipitating factors, but also did NOT have many of them. He was 9yo Siberian Husky who is exceedingly shy.