A friend of mine lost her nearly two year old Rottweiler this weekend to a condition called bloat. Bloat, torsion or GDV is caused by the animals stomach twisting and restricting blood flow to abdominal organs. This can be corrected by surgery if detected early, but if the stomach is twisted it is always fatal if left untreated. Even a simple bloat, which does not include the stomach twisting, requires swift veterinary attention. During the years I worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician in emergency medicine I was amazed at the fact that so many pet owners, particularly those of the most susceptible breeds, were unaware of the problem. While bloat can occur in ANY breed or mix, it is most common in large, deep chested dogs, daschunds and Pekingese are also more susceptible due to their conformation. The symptoms to watch for are unproductive vomiting and abdominal discomfort. Pain will likeky make them restlist in early stages. Unlike a dietary indiscretion , vomiting of small amounts of yellow foam (bile) will continue. The abdomen will expand from the trapped food, gas and liquid in the stomach and the animal will go into shock. Immediate surgery or euthanasia is necessary once bloat is confirmed by radiography.
Having a Neapolitan Mastiff (Beef) and a Saint Bernard (Drip), I need to keep on my toes. It helps to feed small meals, rather than one large a day, watch their water intake and restrict exercise right after eating. Preventative surgery is available in which the stomach is sutured to the abdominal wallpreventing torsion.
So if you have any of the following breeds, please take the time to research this condition and educate yourself to the symptoms to save yourself some heartache down the road.
- Akita
- Great Dane
- Bouvier
- Irish Setter
- Boxer
- Labrador Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
- St. Bernard
- English Sheepdog
- Standard Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Wolfhound
- Golden Retriever
Keep those pups cool and give them a big smooch!
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