Large-breed and deep-chested dogs are at the highest risk of developing bloat. Predisposed breeds include: Great Danes (39% of Great Danes will experience bloat during their lifetime) Standard poodle.
The breed with the highest average lifetime likelihood of a bloat episode is the Great Dane, at 42.4%. Other breeds at higher-than average risk include the Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Setter, Akita, standard Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, and Boxer.
In addition to Great Danes, large- or giant-breed dogs at greatest risk include St. Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters and Gordon Setters, Standard Poodles, and Doberman Pinschers. Males are twice as likely to bloat as females. Neutering or spaying has no effect on risk.
Feed several small meals instead of one or two large ones so your companion is not as hungry and is less likely to bolt food or develop blockages and gas. Separate dogs, and other pets, at feeding time if competitive eating is contributing to them gulping down their meals.
Bloat is a condition in which food or gas stretches your dog's stomach, causing abdominal pain. While it is more common in large breed or deep-chested dogs, any breed can develop bloat. Depending on the severity, bloat can be fatal if not treated within an hour or two.
It occurs primarily in large, deep-chested breeds. Bloat occurs without warning and is very difficult to treat. It does not seem to affect one sex more than the other, but is more likely to occur as a dog ages. Bloat commonly occurs in dogs between the ages of 7 and 12 years.
"Time is of the essence with these cases." The AKC Canine Health Foundation says that with early treatment, more than 80 percent of dogs with bloat survive.
Bloat can be tough to prevent because the exact cause is not always known, and your dog may get it even when you take precautions to avoid it. You don't want your dog's belly to be too full, so it's recommended to portion their meals into two or three smaller ones rather than one big one.
Fact: The grain used in kibble is typically highly digestible and unlikely to cause bloating and gas. On the contrary, grain-free diets that use legumes to replace the grain can sometimes increase the amount of gas being formed and potentially increase the risk of bloat.
As noted, all dogs are at risk of bloat and of GDV; some breeds are more vulnerable than others.
Canned/wet dog food has extra moisture which dogs need and it's easier for a dog to digest than dry kibble. Mix some canned food with your dog's regular kibble or switch to canned food exclusively if you want to prevent your dog from developing bloat.
No exercise for 30-60 minutes after a meal, and nothing hard (no hard running or playing.) Because bloat is a true emergency, I encourage owners to be prepared at home.
Often signs of GDV develop 2-3 hours after eating a large meal. However, it does not need to be associated with eating at all. The classic sign of bloat is unproductive retching (it looks like your dog has to throw up but nothing comes out). The abdomen appears to be swollen and firm to the touch.
Recommendations published in veterinary textbooks, magazines, and in literature promoted by dog food companies typically include the following: feed several small meals daily, avoid exercise or excessive water consumption immediately before or after eating, slow the speed of eating, moisten dry food prior to feeding ...
Both conditions can be life-threatening, although it often takes longer for a straightforward gastric dilatation without volvulus to become critical. “Bloats without torsion can last for minutes to hours, even days in low-level chronic situations, without it becoming life-threatening.
Bloat occurs when the stomach becomes over-distended with gas or food. This can lead to the stomach twisting around on itself – a condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV. This is a rapidly progressive life threatening condition which requires emergency stabilization and surgery to correct.
Bloat is the colloquial name for one of two canine stomach disorders: gastric dilatation (GD), where the stomach fills with gas; and gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), where the gas-filled stomach then twists on itself. Both can cause shock because the distended, gas-filled stomach obstructs blood flow.
Your veterinarian may also tap at the swollen abdomen, listening for a hollow sound that confirms the presence of bloat. In a case of bloat that doesn't involve a twisted stomach, the first treatment priority involves relieving stomach pressure.
Clinical Signs of Bloating (GDV) in Dogs
You may see the abdominal area look more and more swollen (or distended), and if you touch it, the pet may whine in pain. Even if your pet doesn't seem painful, please contact your vet immediately if you notice abnormal behavior or signs of distress..
This is caused by an overabundance of the cortisol hormone – the hormone related to stress. Most often found in dogs over the age of six, Cushing's syndrome causes bloat. Symptoms your pup may be experiencing this can include excess eating, drinking, and urinating, as well as unusual pacing and hair loss.
Deep-chested dogs have narrow, tall rib cages that fall lower on their body – usually below the elbows of the dog's front legs. Their chest is typically egg- or oval-shaped, and taller than it is wide.
SIGNS OF BLOATING IN DOGS
Drooling and panting are common. Their bellies sometimes, but not always, look distended, and they may react painfully to pressure placed on their left flank. It's common for dogs to display frequent, unproductive retching like they are trying to vomit but can't.