How to prevent boat in dogs.
Your dog has just finished devouring a sumptuous meal you served it and seems to enjoy your company on the couch.
However, it suddenly stands and starts pacing around the house. Your efforts to calm it down bear no fruits.
Your dog seems uncomfortable and agitated. You become worried as you realize your beloved pup’s stomach is bloated.
How do you prevent bloat in dogs? You begin to ponder.
If you have been there before, you know how heartbreaking it is to watch your dog in pain.
That’s why this article tells you more about bloat in dogs, its causes, treatment, and how to prevent it.
Come with us for this and more.
What does Bloating mean?
Bloating is when the stomach is filled with gas, fluid, or food causing it to expand. The distended stomach exerts pressure on other organs leading to other problems like reduced blood flow to the heart and stomach lining, difficulty in breathing, or a tear in the wall of a dog’s stomach.
What is GDV in dogs?
GDV, also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus, is a more serious case of bloat. This happens when a dog’s gas-filled stomach rotates or twists by itself completely cutting off blood flow to the stomach and the lower part of a dog’s body. It also blocks the food from passing into the intestine and sends the dog into shock. In severe cases, a dog’s stomach and spleen can rupture.
Causes of bloat in dogs
While the precise cause of bloat in dogs is unknown, there are factors that increase its likelihood of happening. Large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Akitas, and German Shepherds are at higher risk of getting bloat. Other risk factors include eating or drinking water too quickly and exercising immediately after eating or eating from elevated bowls.
What are the symptoms of bloat in dogs?
A dog experiencing bloat exhibits the following symptoms:
- A distended abdomen( this may not be visible in the early stages of bloat)
- Burping and drooling
- Signs of abdominal discomfort or pain
- Dry heave- Unsuccessful attempt to vomit.
- At times, the dog may spit out white foam
- Anxiety and restlessness expressed through pacing, discomfort, or constantly moving around the house
- Collapse and loss of consciousness
- Pale gums
- A racing heartbeat also called tachycardia
- Whining when the belly is pressed
- Shaking and shivering
- Head hanging, stiff movement
- Downward facing pose with the back half up and the upper half down
- Shock
- Retching
Myths about bloat
Several myths have been put forward to explain the causes of bloat in dogs. These include:
- Feeding dogs from bowls placed on the ground
- Giving ice-cold water when your dog is overheated
- Certain foods or ingredients make dogs more prone to bloat.
However, these have been debunked by veterinarians as there isn’t enough evidence to support these claims.
Breeds prone to bloating
Although all dogs can suffer from bloat, some dogs are more prone to this condition than others. Large and giant breeds with deep chests like boxers, Basset Hounds, Akitas, and Great Danes are more likely to suffer from this condition.
How to quickly check for bloat in dogs
To quickly check for bloat in dogs, do the following:
- Let your dog stand up and softly press your hand against its abdomen
- Normally, the abdomen should feel soft and tapered inwards when the dog is relaxed
- If the dog has bloat, its abdomen will feel firm and will have a hollow thump when softly tapped
- To offer some relief, gently massage the area, if the dog allows it. This may encourage the gut to release some gas
- Notify your veterinary facility that you’ll be arriving with a probable case of canine bloat so that they can prepare
- Your veterinarian will most likely insert a tube into his stomach, allowing a surge of air to escape. The stomach is then washed out to remove any remaining materials.
- Deny the dog food for 36hours after.
How to Treat Bloating in Dogs
The treatment method for canine bloat depends on the severity of the condition. While treating simple bloat is quite easy, a severe case of GDV requires more intense methods.
A dog is also walked frequently to encourage a more swift movement of food and gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
The treatment is aimed at relieving gas buildup in the stomach. This will involve:
- Give intravenous fluids with electrolytes to treat shock and increase circulation to vital organs.
- Painkillers and antibiotics are frequently used to address pain, discomfort, and any tissue death caused by lack of circulation.
- Carrying out a procedure to decompress the stomach by getting rid of the gas which allows blood to flow to the lower half of the body. This can help untwist the stomach in some cases.
- Electrocardiogram ( ECG) is undertaken to check for any heart irregularities, which are caused by toxins from poor circulation.
- When the dog is as stable as possible, surgery is performed. Based on the severity of the bloat, a vet may need to untwist the dog’s stomach or spleen, as well as remove any dead part of the stomach wall due to lack of blood supply.
- The vet will also carry out gastropexy, a procedure that involves stitching the stomach to the body wall. This minimizes the likelihood of stomach rotation or twisting in the future.
What can I give my dog to prevent bloat?
You can give a high-quality dog food that’s low in carbohydrates and high in protein to prevent bloat. This will improve gastrointestinal health and reduce the likelihood of your dog getting bloat.
What helps bloat in dogs naturally?
Giving frequent walks to your dog can help ensure a more swift movement of food and gas in the gastrointestinal tract thus relieving bloat naturally.
Does wet dog food prevent bloat?
Yes, wet dog food is easier to digest than kibble and contains moisture that dogs need. Feeding this can help prevent your dog from developing bloat.
What triggers bloat in dogs?
There are multiple possible triggers of canine bloat. A poor diet, eating or drinking too quickly, age, stress, extremely fatty or oily foods, too much weight, exercising immediately after eating, being deep-chested, and eating from an elevated bowl are all potential triggers for dog bloat.
How long before bloat kills a dog?
Canine bloat is a life-threatening condition that has the potential to kill a dog within minutes. It is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention if a dog is to survive it.
Can dog bloat go away on its own?
No, dog bloat is a life-threatening condition that can kill very fast. It’s thus important to consult a vet as soon as you notice any signs that may indicate bloat to avoid a twisted stomach
How do vets treat bloat in dogs?
For dogs with simple bloat, hospitalization is required in order for them to receive intravenous fluids, medication for emptying the stomach, and frequent walks to stimulate bowel movements. GDV cases require surgery to untwist the stomach.
Does dry food cause bloat in dogs?
Yes, dry food slows down stomach emptying thus increasing the risk of dogs getting bloat. Moistening or mixing dry dog food with water can help minimize this risk.
Can drinking too much water cause bloat in dogs?
Yes, drinking too much water at once and then exercising immediately after increases the risk of bloat and GDV in dogs. It’s thus best to offer small amounts of water throughout the day and give time before exercising.
Is raw dog food linked to bloating in dogs?
Feeding raw dog food can help improve the gut health of a dog hence improving digestion and reducing gassiness. However, raw dog food alone is not an adequate protector from this fatal condition.
Is calcium carbonate linked to canine bloat?
Yes, calcium carbonate is linked to canine bloat. This is because it can promote the production of gastrin which is responsible for increased gastric acid in the stomach. This takes time resulting in a delay in gastric emptying causing constipation, flatulence, and bloating in dogs.
What about fat in food and bloat in dogs?
Foods that are high in fats are hard for dogs to digest. Feeding high-fat diets can slow down stomach emptying increasing the risk of dogs getting bloat. It’s thus best to stick to low-fat diets to avoid bloat in dogs.
Do elevated dog food bowls or slow feeders help prevent bloat?
While elevated dog food bowls are recommended to control bloat in large breed dogs, they are not ideal as they increase the dog’s risk of the condition. It’s thus advisable to get rid of elevated bowls. Slow feeders on the other hand can help slow down the rate at which a dog eats minimizing the amount of air swallowed and preventing bloat in dogs.
Best Advice to Prevent Bloating in Dogs
The following tips can help prevent bloating in dogs:
- Feed small meals a number of times throughout the day rather than a single large meal in one sitting
- Do not exercise your dog immediately after eating or drinking but wait for at least an hour before engaging in any vigorous activity
- Avoid using elevated bowls unless you are advised to do so by your veterinarian
- Don’t leave food bins accessible to your dog to avoid overeating
- Slow down your dog’s eating rate using food puzzles
- Ensure your dog cools down after exercising or playing before feeding it
- Give a fresh, whole, raw diet to your dog.
- Stop feeding dry food or chemically preserved pet store treats
- Take good quality probiotics for dogs
- Slow down your dog’s water intake, avoid gorging when drinking water
- Consult with your vet on preventive surgery for breeds with a higher risk of bloating. This can be done during the spaying or neutering process