Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, GDV)

What is it?

In simple bloat (gastric dilatation), the stomach fills with gas. In GDV, the swollen stomach also twists on itself, blocking both the entrance and the exit. The enlarged stomach presses on major veins and the diaphragm, leading to shock, and parts of the stomach wall can die or rupture. The exact cause is unknown. It is most common in large, deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish and Gordon setters, standard poodles, basset hounds, Doberman pinschers, and Old English sheepdogs, but any dog can bloat.

What signs should I watch for?

Signs include restlessness or distress, heavy drooling, retching without bringing anything up, trouble breathing, and a swollen belly, most obvious on the left side. Dogs may collapse or be unable to stand. Bloat and GDV look the same from the outside.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

GDV is an emergency: go to a veterinarian immediately. X-rays show whether the stomach has twisted. The team relieves the gas with a stomach tube or a needle, treats shock with intravenous fluids and emergency medications, and then performs surgery to return the stomach to its normal position, remove damaged tissue, and stitch the stomach to the body wall (gastropexy). The spleen sometimes needs to be removed.

Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook?

• Risk factors include eating one large meal a day, eating fast, a family history of bloat, being thin, an anxious or fearful temperament, and middle to older age; exercise after a big meal or a lot of water may add risk.
• A preventive gastropexy, often done at spay or neuter in high-risk breeds, prevents twisting in most cases.
• Even with treatment, 10 to 45% of dogs do not survive, and outcome depends greatly on how quickly treatment begins.