What is bloat?
The
Stomach becomes dilated by abnormal amounts of food or gas. For some reason the
valve to the esophagus fails to open and release the surplus air. The food
begins to ferment and create more gas – This progresses to rotation of the
stomach on its axis.
A
build up fluid or gases within the stomach causes bloat or gastric torsion. The
accumulation is very swift and dramatic, disrupting the normal function of the
heart.
The
reasons leading to the dilation of the stomach are not really known and some
theories include the ingestion of large amounts of food and water immediately
prior to exercise.
This
could be air swallowing and obstructions of the stomach outflow plus stress and
dietary factors.
Research
at University of Liverpool is underway and has been for some time now to
investigate why this is happening to our breed and other breeds, as it isn’t
just ours that is affected. No two cases are the same either so if in doubt
just go to the vets.
Possible causes
A,
Stress
B,
Certain breeds, Giant breeds such as ours are commonly affected. And are often
familial tendencies.
C,
Deeper chested dogs tend to have weaker muscles
D,
There has to be a weakness of the gastric attachments and this mostly occurs in
the older dog.
Make sure you and your vet
understand before it happens to you
IF BLOAT IS SUSPECTED
YOUR VET MUST ATTEND AND BE ABLE TO OPERATE WITHIN MINUTES - DAY OR NIGHT.
He
should be totally familiar with the symptoms and procedures and fully aware,
that to casually dismiss your suspicions and/or early diagnosis as a false
alarm could very easily result in death. Ask your vet what they would do in
this scenario and if you don’t get a satisfactory answer find another vet
pronto.
Surgery
is expensive so please do have your pet insured so both parties are not
stressing over payments. this can work out into the thousands now a days.
BLOAT PHASES AND RECOMMENDED
ACTIONS
PHASE 1
(This phase may last between 1-2
hours. It also may not - DONT
DELAY)
SYMPTOMS: 1. Pacing, restless, panting
and salivating.
2.
Unproductive attempts to vomit (every 10-20 mins).
3.
Abdomen exhibits fullness and beginning to enlarge.
(This includes expansion of the front abdomen
& rib cage)
ACTIONS: Call your vet
to advise of bloat case enroute. Inform him that your dog is insured. TRANSPORT
your dog to the surgery IMMEDIATELY.
PHASE 2 (Once this stage is reached, veterinary attention must be given within a
maximum of 30 mins)
SYMPTOMS: 1.Very
restless, whining, panting continuously, heavy salivating.
2.
Unproductive attempts to vomit (every 2-3 mins).
3. Dark
red gums.
4. High
heartbeat rate (80-100 BPM).
5. Abdomen
is enlarged and tight. Emits hollow sound when thumped.
ACTIONS:
CALL VET IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT DELAY.
SYMPTOMS: 1. Gums are dark purple or
blue
2. Dog
unable to stand or has spread-legged, shaky stance.
3.
Abdomen is very enlarged.
4.
Extremely high heart beat rate (100 BPM or greater) and weak pulse.
ACTIONS: DEATH IS IMMINENT!!! There is now no time to
lose. It is probably already too late.
Please don't let it get to this
stage. If in doubt, get to the vet.
Never worry about wasting your vet’s
time.
