The Mother Of All Emergencies
There are many problems and diseases that can be considered an emergency, but only one is so severe that it has been classified "the mother of all emergencies." This is gastric dilatation and volvulus — commonly known as bloat.
What Is Bloat?
The normal stomach sits high in the abdomen and holds a small amount of gas, food, and mucus. In a bloated stomach, gas and/or food distends the stomach many times its normal size, causing extreme pain. Most often, the stomach twists as well, cutting off its own blood supply and preventing the exit of gas. The spleen may also become twisted and lose blood supply. If severe enough, the stomach can pressure major veins, causing circulatory shock.
A dog can die within hours unless treated immediately.
Increasing Risk Factors
- Deep-chested dog breeds
- Dogs over 99 lbs
- Increased age
- Eating rapidly
- Heavy exercise after meals
- Elevated food bowls
Decreasing Risk Factors
- Including canned food in the diet
- Eating multiple smaller meals daily
- Dry food with calcium-rich meat listed in the first four ingredients
- Happy, calm temperament
Signs Of Bloat
- Distended or swollen abdomen
- Apparent pain or discomfort
- Unproductive vomiting attempts (retching without producing vomit)
- Panting and pacing
- Pale gums
Treatment
Seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect bloat. Treatment involves stomach decompression via tube or surgery, and treatment for shock. These are high-risk procedures with variable survival rates depending on how quickly the dog receives care — speed is everything.
Prevention
For high-risk breeds, a preventive gastropexy procedure performed during spay/neuter surgery can tack the stomach to the body wall to prevent twisting. Talk to your veterinarian about whether this procedure is appropriate for your dog.