An Update on
Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus
aka Bloat
Gastric dilatation/volvulus (GDV), or bloat, is a life-threatening condition that strikes suddenly and can have a high mortality rate if not recognized and treated promptly. The stomach undergoes a progressive dilatation and may or may not rotate. Symptoms include the dog acting restless, having non-productive vomiting, drooling, and distention of the abdomen. They become shocky quickly and a look at their gums will often show pale mucous membranes.
Risk factors for bloat include:
Age: Older dogs are more likely to develop bloat
Size/Conformation: Dogs with an increased chest depth:width ratio are predisposed to GDV.
Genetic predisposition: Dogs with a close relative, ie parent, sibling or offspring, with a history of bloat are more likely to develop GDV.
Fast speed of eating: Dogs who wolf their food down are at increased risk.
Raised food bowl: Studies have shown a significant increased chance of bloat when fed from elevated bowls.
Feeding a large meal once daily increases risk.
Stress and personality traits: Dogs with fearful or unhappy personalities are more likely to develop GDV. Hyperactive animals are predisposed to GDV. Stress also plays a role in development of bloat.
Exercise within an hour of eating: New finding on this is that it actually may NOT contribute to GDV, as many old dogs eat dinner and go lay down and owners find them bloating at 2 a.m.
Cereal grains in the food have been found NOT to contribute to bloat incidence.
Fat found within the first 4 ingredients in dog food has been shown to increase incidence of bloat.
If a dry food has citric acid in it, adding water to it has been linked with bloat.
Overall, the risk of bloat is based on a complex interaction of various factors. Gordon Setters are among the top 10 breeds predisposed to bloating. Treatment involves IMMEDIATE and aggressive veterinary care. Once the stomach is decompressed and the dog is stabilized, surgery should be performed to tack the stomach as recurrence is likely otherwise. A common surgery performed is called an incisional gastropexy, where the stomach is sutured to the abdominal wall. There are some vets who are doing this surgery laparoscopically, which is minimally invasive.
GDV prevention tips: Feed several smaller meals vs. one large meal. Feed dogs separately to decrease food competition and wolfing the food down. There is a food bowl on the market called a Brake-Fast bowl that is made to slow dogs who gulp their food down. Owners of high risk dogs should consider prophylactic stomach tacking surgery. This can be done at the same time as spaying or neutering. Know the signs of bloat and keep handy the number of local emergency veterinary services.
Barb Meining, DVM