Canine Bloat

By: Michael Lamping, DVM

          Canine bloat can surprise even the most vigilant of dog owners.  It occurs most commonly in large "deep-chested" breeds such as Great Danes, rottweilers, Labrador retrievers, Mastiffs, bloodhounds, German shepherd dogs, malamutes, and golden retrievers.  The symptoms come on suddenly and treatment needs to be initiated on an emergency basis. 

            In some instances the bloating of the stomach is followed by stomach rotation.  This critical change is life-threatening.  If the stomach twists, then the gas and fluid contents are trapped.  It is impossible for the dog to expel the contents by vomiting or burping, though many still try to retch unproductively.  Affected animals become nauseated, weak, uncomfortable, and drool heavily.  Without treatment, these dogs go into cardiovascular shock and can die within hours.

            Learn to recognize the signs of bloat so that you are prepared to intervene as soon as possible.  Prompt veterinary care is vital.  I treated a golden retriever who arrived in shock with IV fluids, pain control, and an emergency surgery to decompress and rotate the stomach back into position.  Like having a rubber band around your finger tip, the stomach was discolored since the blood supply was constricted.  It was a "hold your breath" moment to see if the stomach would return back to normal color.  In the final step, I "tacked" the stomach to the side of the abdomen with sutures using the gastropexy procedure.  The threat of complications persists into the recovery period, so hospitalization was required, but like most dogs, this one made it home.

            Help prevent bloat by feeding quality dog food in at least two meal portions per day.  Then let them digest their food.  Refrain from exercising your dog for at least an hour after feeding.  Finally, gastropexy surgery can be performed by your veterinarian on a prophylactic basis in individuals at high risk for bloat.