Avoiding Canine Bloat

What is Dog Bloat and How to Prevent it

Dog bloat, formally known as canine bloat, is a condition in which a dog may have an expanded stomach with no immediate way of releasing the pressure building up in it. This is a life threatening occurrence that usually happens to dogs that are large or extra large in size with deep chests. The problem can escalate rather fast and you need to be aware of the symptoms or signs in order to help your dog. Veterinarians have no exact cause of the problem but they can recommend ways and means of avoiding Canine bloat and saving the life of your four legged family member.

What Happens

In order to understand how to avoid the condition as well as how to help your dog, you need to know what happens during canine bloat. Most cases usually occur during a meal or after your dog has had a meal. The stomach swells and becomes distended due to an accumulation of gas, food or fluids. due to the abnormal size of the stomach, some organs close to it may be immediately affected and, eventually, the circulation of blood around your dog’s body may be stopped or blocked.

To make matters worse, many cases of dog bloat ends up with the distended stomach twisting around itself or on itself. When this happens, blood flow and even oxygen flow to the organs can be restricted causing cell death. The gas in the stomach will continue to expand and the possibility of a ruptured stomach is very high. Aside from this, your dog might go to cardiac arrest or shock in the latter part of canine bloat and may even end up a fatality. 

Possible Causes

The exact cause of canine bloat is not known yet but there are some common factors that veterinarians have pointed out. These include, but are not limited to:

– large or extra large breeds of dogs

– deep chested dogs

– dogs that eat too fast

– male dogs

– dogs older than 7 years

– vigorous play or exercise before or after a meal

– feeding a big meal once a day, instead of two small ones

– excessive drinking of water before or after a meal

– dog food based more on grains than meats

– dogs that are anxious, excitable or aggressive

– having a family history of canine bloat

– possibly eating from a raised food bowl

Despite the possible causes of dog bloat being plentiful and quite common, not all dogs with these factors are prone to it. It just means that you might have to keep an eye on your dog before and after a meal as well as know what to watch out for. Avoiding canine bloat is far better than having your dog treated for it so try to keep things calm before and after meals. If your dog has a family history of this condition, be extra careful when feeding him and playing or exercising him. 

What to Watch Out For

Since canine bloat can develop fast and end up fatal, it is important that you know the symptoms of the condition. Not all dogs exhibit the same symptoms for bloat but there are some signs that should clue you in.

Initial signs:

– Restlessness in the form of pacing, anxiety, acting like he wants to poop or vomit but cannot

– Signs of pain such as whining, panting, increased anxiety and a swollen stomach

– Drooling and not being able to get into a comfortable position

Worsening condition:

– Collapsed or cannot get up

– Increasing swell or distension of stomach

– Difficulty breathing and rapid heart rate

– Pale gums and sometimes a pale tongue

If you notice these symptoms, please bring your dog to the vet immediately. Bloat can take only a few hours to end up being fatal, so quick action can help to save your dog.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for bloat is almost always only performed by veterinarians. This is because the treatment is usually invasive and it takes practice to perfect the procedures without adding further trauma or injury to the animal. One way is to introduce a hollow, flexible tube or hose into the dog through the mouth up to the stomach. This will help to release the pressure in the stomach. Another way is to insert a large, hollow needle into the abdomen of the dog, straight into the stomach to release the gas. The second procedure is usually done if the stomach has twisted upon itself making it impossible for the hollow tube to be introduced through the mouth and into the stomach.

In most cases, the dog might already be in shock when brought to the vet. The vet will give the necessary treatment for shock as well as other medications through an intravenous drip if necessary. Once the emergency procedure to release the pressure in the stomach is performed, the vet will want to take some x-rays to see how twisted the stomach is. Surgery may be necessary if the distended stomach is twisted.

Avoiding canine bloat is always better than treating it. There are several ways that you can prevent this condition from occurring if your dog is prone to it. One way of preventing it or being one step ahead of the bloat is to watch your dog before and after eating. Make sure that he is calm before he eats; make him rest or calm down for fifteen minutes to half an hour if he was just playing or exercising before giving him a meal. Do not excite him or play with him immediately after a meal, especially if it was a heavy one. It is also a good idea to break down his daily meal into two or three times a day. This will prevent him from being too full and having gastrointestinal problems. A single heavy meal daily is not recommended if he is prone to bloat.

Experts and veterinarians recommend giving your dog premium dog food instead of the cheap ones that are made solely from grains and animal by-product. Research has found that dog food from grains can increase the risk of bloat. Premium dog food is formulated for dogs of different ages. Make sure that you choose the right one for your dog.

A go-slow food bowl is a great way to prevent your dog from gobbling up his food too fast. This kind of food bowl has partitions that will encourage your dog to stop and check where the food it. The pauses will prevent food from tumbling down his throat to his stomach in large quantities which may be the cause of a distended stomach and the build up of gas. Observe your dog if he needs an elevated dog bowl. Some experts believe that elevated bowl can increase the risk of bloat but some dogs really need their bowls to be elevated because they are too tall.

Canine bloat is a serious problem which can lead to losing a beloved family member. It is important that you understand the implications of this condition if your dog is prone to it or shows signs of an increased risk. Take the necessary precautions such as knowing the nearest emergency vet is in your area. Please take the time to give your dog his meals when he is calm and relaxed and be consistent in not playing with him within an hour after his meals.

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