Early Steps Can Protect Your Dog From Bloat

It is a bright sunny weekend and you are thinking to spend this weekend with your dog. You are not able to spend much time with your pooch because of your hectic schedule, but this time you have decided that this weekend you will enjoy with your dog anyhow. While playing with your dog and spending the quality time, you saw that the dog is behaving abnormally. He is trying to vomit and hiding. There is something bothering him. Is it bloat?

What is bloat?

Bloat is also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV). This is a situation in which the stomach twists and filled with gas. It is quite tough to understand that how it happens, but remember that the condition is bad for your dog. You will see an enlarged dog’s stomach due to gas. It creates a pressure on the diaphragm, making it difficult for a dog to breath. The pressure sometimes stops the return of blood flow to the heart. If the pressure increases inside the stomach it can make the tissue die turning into stomach rupture.

How does bloat occur?

Generally, bloat is seen in large and giant breeds and more in male than female. Giant dog breeds eat much and drink more and are seen more active than usual. If the food, fluid, and air are accumulated abnormally inside the stomach it creates bloat.

Though, Bloat is seen more in large dog breeds doesn’t mean that small dog breeds are safe. Bloat is seen in every dog breeds, regardless of their size. Giant dog breeds like Saint Bernard, Great Danes and few others are more susceptible to bloat than other breeds of dogs.

Symptoms Of Bloat:

It is hard to say why bloat occurs in dogs but knowing the symptoms will save your dog. Following are the symptoms of bloat in dogs:

·       Swollen stomach

·        Attempt to vomit (Unsuccessful): This is the most common symptom of bloat. An unsuccessful vomiting show that your dog is trying to throw up that is stuck in his stomach but unable to do it.

·         Anxiety and restlessness

·         Coughing

·         Rapid panting

·         Shallow breathing

·         Weak pulse

What To Do If A Dog Has Bloat?

·       If you come across more than one symptom in your dog that is mentioned above, the only thing that you can do is take your dog to your vet as soon as possible. No home remedy is available for bloat in dogs.

·       If you are confused whether your dog has bloat or not you can call your vet and ask him about the signs that you have witnessed in your dog.

·       After taking the steps like x-rays and blood work, if bloat is diagnosed. The only possible solution is treatment.

·      The treatment is called a Gastropexy Surgery. The treatment is done by going into their abdomen and untwisting the stomach. After that, the stomach is sutured to the body wall. It prevents the twisting of a stomach in future.

Many cases are seen where, after the treatment, the same thing occurs again. It is highly advisable for every dog parent to do not delay in treatment. Delaying the treatment will bring you to some bad news for your dog. 

More info: http://www.discountpetcare.com.au/blog/