Treatment Of Bloat In Dogs
Bloat is a condition in which the dog is unable to expel gas from its stomach. The dog may attempt to belch or vomit but is unable to. Bloat in dogs is a veterinary emergency. An estimated thirty-three percent of dogs with bloat died from the condition.
The dog’s abdomen often becomes noticeably distended when the dog has bloat. The dog may salivate and pace uncomfortably. The dog may squat as this attempting to pass a stool or start gagging.
There are two types of canine bloat. Gastric dilatation is when the stomach expands because of gas buildup. Gastric volvulus, also called torsion, occurs when the stomach rotates and flips and becomes twisted. With torsion, the esophagus and small intestine are twisted closed, so there’s no way for gas to pass out of the stomach.
Large breeds of dogs are at higher risk for canine bloat. Bloat is often associated with a dog eating dry dog food and then becoming active right after eating. Not all dogs with bloat fit this common cause.
Neglecting to treat a dog immediately for bloat can cause the dog to go into shock and cardiac arrest. Dogs can die from canine bloat within hours from the onset of this condition.
When a dog with bloat is taken to the veterinarian, the veterinarian may insert a needle into the stomach to allow some gas to escape. Surgery is often necessary to thoroughly emptied the stomach and reposition the stomach if it is twisted.
Cases of bloat in dogs that involve torsion are more severe than gastric dilatation, because the twisted stomach and spleen may have a significant loss of their blood supply. This can cause the cells of the stomach to begin to die. Cell death is permanent and decreases the dog’s ability to recover.
The veterinarian is likely to suture the stomach to the abdominal wall to help prevent future episodes of torsion. After surgical treatment of bloat, the dog is at risk of infection or complications due to damage to the soft tissue and the interruptions of normal blood supply to the organs.
Dog owners should avoid feeding a dog a large amount of dry food at a time. Dogs should not be allowed to exercise immediately following eating. Drinking a large amount of water at a time can also cause bloat.
