How to Prevent Bloat

By Dr. Jeff Steen
Medical Director
Alameda East Veterinary Hospital
www.alamedaeast.com

Most pet lovers have heard the term bloat, the layman's term for gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV. GDV occurs when the stomach bloats and twists, trapping gas, food and fluid in the stomach. With no place for the stomach contents to go, the stomach continues to distend, causing major problems to surrounding organs. Dogs with bloat quickly go into shock and will die in a matter of hours unless emergency surgery is performed to untwist the stomach.

The most commonly seen symptoms of bloat include a distended abdomen, a nonproductive retch or vomit, pale gums, lethargy and severe abdominal pain. If you see these symptoms in your dog, you should immediately head for your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Bloat is one of the most common emergencies encountered. Studies done at Purdue University by Dr. Glickman and his colleagues have shown an incidence rate of 22 percent in large breed dogs and 24 percent in giant breeds. The rate is highest in Great Danes at 42 percent, meaning nearly half of all Great Danes will bloat at some point in their lives.

Risk factors for bloat include:

• Dogs with deep, narrow chests including the Great Dane, Bloodhound, Standard Poodle, Irish Wolfhound, German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Akita, Boxer, Collie, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Weimeraner and any mixed breed dog with a deep, narrow chest.
• Lean dogs and older dogs are at higher risk.
• Dogs with relatives that have had GDV are at higher risk.
• Dogs that eat fast and those that eat from elevated feeding bowls are at higher risk.
• Nervous, fearful and aggressive dogs are at higher risk.
• Dogs fed dry food only and fed once daily are at higher risk.

The only tried and true way to prevent bloat from occurring is to surgically attach the stomach to the inside of the abdominal wall to prevent twisting; this procedure is called a gastropexy, and is a relatively easy and straightforward procedure, so routine that your pet may be spayed or neutered at the same time.

Many veterinary hospitals across the country commonly use a minimally invasive procedure to perform a gastropexy, which utilizes a laparoscope to make several small incisions and attach the stomach to the abdomen. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, complications are rare and your pet is back on his feet in no time since the incisions are so small.

For more information about gastropexies, contact your veterinarian. This simple procedure may end up saving your friend's life and will definitely give you peace of mind.