Good Explaination of Bloat

[papbouv]

Gastric Volvulus (Bloat) in Dogs: A Life Threatening Emergency

Bloat is a life-threatening emergency that affects dogs in the prime of life. The mortality rate for gastric volvulus approaches 50 percent. Early recognition and treatment are the keys to survival.
Anatomy of Bloat

Bloat actually refers to two conditions. The first is gastric dilatation,in which the stomach distends with gas and fluid. The second is volvulus, in which the distended stomach rotates on its long axis. The spleen is attached to the wall of the stomach, and therefore rotates with the stomach.

Gastric dilatation may or may not be complicated by volvulus. If volvulus occurs, the stomach may twist 180 degrees or less (technically called a torsion). An actual volvulus is a twist of 180 degrees to 360 degrees or more.

During volvulus, the pylorus is pulled out of position and becomes displaced to the left of the gastroesophageal junction. This pinches off the duodenum and prevents fluid and air from escaping from the stomach through the pyloric canal. Simultaneously, the gastroesophageal junction becomes twisted and obstructed, preventing the dog from belching and vomiting. Gas and fluid are trapped in the closed-off stomach, which becomes hugely distended as the material ferments. Interference with blood circulation results in necrosis of the wall of the stomach.

This sequence produces a number of other problems, including acute dehydration, bacterial septicemia, circulatory shock, cardiac arrhythmias, gastric perforation, peritonitis, and death.

Bloat can occur in any dog at any age, but typically occurs in middle-aged to older dogs. There may be a familial association. Large-breed dogs with deep chests are anatomically predisposed. These breeds include the Great Dane, German Shepherd Dog, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Weimaraner, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Setter, Collie, Bloodhound, and Standard Poodle. Chinese Shar-Pei and Basset Hounds have the highest incidence among midsize dogs. Small dogs are rarely affected, with the exception of Dachshunds, who are also deep-chested.

Bloat develops suddenly, usually in a healthy, active dog. The dog may have just eaten a large meal, exercised vigorously before or after eating, or drank a large amount of water immediately after eating.
Signs of Bloat

The classic signs of bloat are restlessness and pacing, salivation, retching, unproductive attempts to vomit, and enlargement of the abdomen. The dog may whine or groan when you press on his belly. Thumping the abdomen produces a hollow sound.

Unfortunately, not all cases of bloat present with typical signs. In early bloat the dog may not appear distended, but the abdomen usually feels slightly tight. The dog appears lethargic, obviously uncomfortable, walks in a stiff-legged fashion, hangs his head, but may not look extremely anxious or distressed. Early on it is not possible to distinguish dilatation from volvulus.

Late signs (those of impending shock) include pale gums and tongue, delayed capillary refill time, rapid heart rate, weak pulse, rapid and labored breathing, weakness, and collapse.

If the dog is able to belch or vomit, quite likely the problem is not due to a volvulus, but this can only be determined by veterinary examination.
(continued)
Treating Bloat

In all cases where there is the slightest suspicion of bloat, take your dog to a veterinary hospital immediately. Time is of the essence.

Gastric dilatation without torsion or volvulus is relieved by passing a long rubber or plastic tube through the dog’s mouth into the stomach. This is also the quickest way to confirm a diagnosis of bloat. As the tube enters the dog’s stomach, there should be a rush of air and fluid from the tube, bringing relief. The stomach is then washed out. The dog should not be allowed to eat or drink for the next 36 hours, and will need to be supported with intravenous fluids. If symptoms do not return, the diet can be gradually restored.

A diagnosis of dilatation or volvulus is best confirmed by X-rays of the abdomen. Dogs with simple dilatation have a large volume of gas in the stomach, but the gas pattern is normal. Dogs with volvulus have a “double bubble” gas pattern on the X-ray, with gas in two sections separated by the twisted tissue.

If the dog has a volvulus, emergency surgery is required as soon as the dog is able to tolerate the anesthesia. The goals are to reposition the stomach and spleen, or to remove the spleen and part of the stomach if these organs have undergone necrosis.
Preventing Bloat

Dogs who respond to nonsurgical treatment have a 70 percent chance of having another episode of bloat. Some of these episodes can be prevented by following these practices:

    Divide the day’s ration into three equal meals, spaced well apart.
    Do not feed your dog from a raised food bowl.
    Avoid feeding dry dog food that has fat among the first four ingredients listed on the label.
    Avoid foods that contain citric acid.
    Restrict access to water for one hour before and after meals.
    Never let your dog drink a large amount of water all at once.
    Avoid strenuous exercise on a full stomach.

[Gail]

That was a really interesting read thank you. My little Holly angel was put to sleep when this happened to her. She or Tris managed to get up onto a high kitchen table where there was a huge box of chocolates wrapped up for my secretary's Christmas. I'm still not sure which of them got up onto the table as Holly was almost blind and Tris is not particularly agile - where there's a will there's a way though lol. When I got home the pair of them were looking very sorry for themselves and both were like little barrels. By the time we got to the emergency vet's office (as it was evening) Holly was really struggling. The vet suggested taking an x-ray and I asked what that would tell us and what it would do to inform treatment and the vet said that she wasn't a candidate for surgery so it would just tell us what was wrong. Her symptoms were just as you describe Papbouv and it is a distressing thing, I wish I had the information below at the time. Little Holly dog went off to Rainbow bridge with a belly fully of chocolate after her final adventure - that will be two years ago in December.

[papbouv]

Very sorry to hear about Holly its a shame when they think something is good which is most everything to a Doxie with Bloat you have to be right on top of it do not have much time to react.Then sometimes its still too late I also go to DT Doberman Talk they have a nick name of Dobergoats couches,drywall,cars,blankets,pillows quite a few young dogs have died. I thought if more people read up on it it might help someone in the future I really like the way it was explained.
Hugs to you for your great loss of Holly.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

That is horrible about Holly. I also experienced this awful thing with my Great Dane son, Fred. We almost lost him but he survived, it was a very painful thing for him. (my friends Bernese, Freds BFF, died from bloat, the day after his surgery while still at the vet, there had been too much pressure on his other organs and his heart gave out). Fred was of course one of the riskiest breeds for bloat I had done all the things they suggest and more to prevent it, but it happened anyway. Done the same for both my doxies, Jessie and Hallie, ramps, neurotically careful, kept in shape and slim, NO jumping, etc still both had problems. Fred's bloat was brought on by taking him to the dang oncologist after his kidney was removed due to cancer, to check his lungs and they fought him on the table to turn him upside down for xray (which I didn't know til after the fact) which started the bloat going. Most vets know not to do that... 

It's really sad how much we've messed with dogs genes, which cause many of these health problems and it's only getting worse.