GDV or Bloat: Bloating in Dogs Can be Deadly.

What is Bloat?

When bloat (bloating) happens, full dog stomach filled with air, fluid, and / or food. Enlarged gastric put pressure on other organs, which can cause difficulty breathing, and eventually can reduce the blood supply to vital organs dogs.

 

Bloat (bloating) actually refers to two conditions. The first is an enlarged stomach / dilatation (gastric dilatation), which is enlarged or swollen stomach filled with gas and fluid overload. The second is the so-called volvulus or GDV (Gastric dilatation volvulus), a condition where the stomach enlarged stomach occurs accompanied by a rotating (twisting). GDV is a lethal condition that requires immediate treatment. GDV can cause clinical signs of rapid and death in just a few hours. Even though the immediate treatment, according ASPCA.org that about 25-40 percent of dogs die because of this medical condition. Early detection and immediate treatment are key.

 

Not all dogs are dilated / enlarged stomach will end up with volvulus. There are dogs that stomach filled with gas and fluid, but the hull remained in the position. But if enlargement is accompanied by gastric volvulus, the stomach rotates 180 degrees or less (technically called torsion). And, on a more severe condition volvulus can rotate 180 degrees to 360 degrees or more.

Position is wrapped around the stomach will push the duodenum (duodenal) and cause the liquid and air trapped in the stomach can not get out through the pyloric channel. At the same time, Gastro channel becomes entangled and obstructed, making the dog can not burp and vomit. Gas and liquids are trapped in a sealed hull will be getting bigger. Impaired blood circulation also causes necrosis of the abdominal wall. (necrosis = death of cells / living tissue).

 

This sequence resulted in a number of other problems, including acute dehydration, bacterial septicemia (blood poisoning by bacteria), circulatory shock, cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rate), gastric perforation (perforated stomach), peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity) and death .

Bloat can occur in a variety of dogs at any any age, but are most common in middle age to old age. The dogs are large breeds with deep and narrow chest anatomy predisposed to this disease. Those races include: Great Dane, German Shepherd Dog, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Weimaraner, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Setter, Collie, Bloodhound, and Standard Poodle. Chinese Shar-peo and Basset Hound has the highest likelihood among dog breeds medium. Small breed dogs are very rarely affected, except Dachshund who also has a deep and narrow chest.

Bloat can appear suddenly, usually in dogs healthy and active. The dog may be consuming large amounts of food, exercise too excited before or after eating, or drinking large amounts immediately after eating.

Signs or Symptoms of Bloat

Common signs are restless and pacing, excessive drooling, vomiting, spewing something that does not exist, and an enlarged abdomen. Dogs will whine or whimper when you press his belly. Stomach wheezes.

Unfortunately, not all cases of bloat appears with typical signs. At first the dog is experiencing bloat may not bulging stomach, but the stomach usually feels a bit tight. The dog seemed lethargic, uncomfortable, walked stiffly, but did not appear anxious or stressed. At its beginnings it is impossible to distinguish whether the dilatation / enlargement of the stomach or GDV.

The signs are already severe stages typically include pale gums and tongue, rapid heart rate, weak pulse, rapid breathing and tightness, weakness and collapse / fainting.

If the dog is still able to burp or vomit, chances are the problem is not due to volvulus, but it can only be prescribed by a vet examination.

treating Bloat

When you suspect that your dog though little seems to have Bloat, immediately take it to the animal hospital (do not delay!). TIME is THE KEY.

 

Stomach enlargement (dilatation) without volvulus can be determined by inserting a long rubber or plastic hose through the mouth into the stomach of dogs. This is the fastest way to diagnose bloat. Once the hose enters the stomach, there is a spark of air and fluid hoses sprayed and then the hull will be cleaned. Dogs should not eat or drink for 36 hours into the future and need to be assisted with intravenous fluids. If the symptoms do not return, then the diet can be restored gradually.

Dilatation or volvulus diagnosis for most good through X-rays of the stomach. Dogs with dilated simple matter to have a lot of gas in the stomach, but a normal gas pattern. Dogs with problems volvulus has a "doube bubble" pattern on the X-ray gas, with the gas in two parts separated by a tangled network.

If the dog has a volvulus, needed emergency surgery immediately after the dog in anesthesia. Goal is to reposition the stomach and spleen, or to dispose of part of the spleen and stomach if these organs have undergone necrosis (dead cells).

Preventing Bloat

Dogs that have been treated with non-surgical treatment has a 70 percent chance of having problems bloat again in the future. Some bloat problems can be prevented by following these steps:

•  Divide the food into 3 ratio by the same amount, in a different time.
•  Avoid feeding dry dog food fat content listed among the first four rows in the list of ingredients label.
•  Avoid foods that contain citric acid
•  Restrict access to drinking water at 1 hour before and after meals.
•  Never allow your dog to drink large amounts of water at once in one drink.
•  Avoid exercise or strenuous exercise when the dog's stomach is full.