Please visit our new sister site, EPI in Dogs .  Knowing the symptoms could save your dog's life.  If your dog has loose stools that just won't get better, it could be EPI.

Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners know very little about it.  According to the links below, it is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer.  It is frequently reported that deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans are particularly at risk.  This page provides links to information on bloat and summarizes some of the key points we found in the sites we researched.  Although we have summarized information we found about possible symptoms, causes, methods of prevention, and breeds at risk, we cannot attest to the accuracy.  Please consult with your veterinarian for medical information.   

If you believe your dog is experiencing bloat, please get your dog to a veterinarian immediately!  Bloat can kill in less than an hour, so time is of the essence.   Call your vet to alert them you're on your way with a suspected bloat case.  Better to be safe than sorry!

The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV").  Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present).  It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation").    Stress can be a significant contributing factor also.  Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting).  As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine).  The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach.  The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs.  The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.

Be prepared!  Know in advance what you would do if your dog bloated.

 

If your regular vet doesn't have 24-hour emergency service, know which nearby vet you would use.  Keep the phone number handy.

 

Always keep a product with simethicone on hand (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Gas-X, etc.) in case your dog has gas.  If you can reduce or slow the gas, you've probably bought yourself a little more time to get to a vet if your dog is bloating.

This information is not intended to replace advice or guidance from veterinarians or other pet care professionals.  It is simply being shared as an aid to assist you with your own research on this very serious problem.

 

Symptoms

Typical symptoms often include some (but not necessarily all) of the following, according to the links below.  Unfortunately, from the onset of the first symptoms you have very little time (sometimes minutes, sometimes hours) to get immediate medical attention for your dog.   Know your dog and know when it's not acting right.

 

Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-30 minutes

 

This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been referred to as the "hallmark symptom"

 

"Unsuccessful vomiting" means either nothing comes up or possibly just foam and/or mucous comes up 

 

Some reports say that it can sound like a repeated cough   New

 

Doesn't act like usual self

 

Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that almost always occurs

 

We've had several reports that dogs who bloated asked to go outside in the middle of the night.  If this is combined with frequent attempts to vomit, and if your dog doesn't typically ask to go outside in the middle of the night, bloat is a very real possibility.  

 

Significant anxiety and restlessness
One of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical

 

"Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance
This seems to occur fairly frequently

 

Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy

 

Many dog owners report this after putting their ear to their dog's tummy.

 

If your dog shows any bloat symptoms, you may want to try this immediately. 

 

Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)
Despite the term "bloat," many times this symptom never occurs or is not apparent

 

Pale or off-color gums
Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages

 

Coughing

 

Unproductive gagging

 

Heavy salivating or drooling

 

Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous

 

Unproductive attempts to defecate

 

Whining

 

Pacing

 

Licking the air

 

Seeking a hiding place

 

Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort

 

May refuse to lie down or even sit down

 

May stand spread-legged

 

May curl up in a ball or go into a praying or crouched position

 

May attempt to eat small stones and twigs

 

Drinking excessively

 

Heavy or rapid panting

 

Shallow breathing

 

Cold mouth membranes

 

Apparent weakness; unable to stand or has a spread-legged stance
Especially in advanced stage

 

Accelerated heartbeat
Heart rate increases as bloating progresses

 

Weak pulse

 

Collapse

 

Causes

According to the links below, it is thought that the following may be the primary contributors to bloat.  To calculate a dog's lifetime risk of bloat according to Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine,

 

Stress

 

Dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, change in routine, new dog in household, etc.
Although purely anecdotal, we've heard of too many cases where a dog bloated after another dog (particularly a 3rd dog) was brought into the household; perhaps due to stress regarding pack order.  

 

Activities that result in gulping air

 

Eating habits, especially...

 

Elevated food bowls

 

Rapid eating

 

Eating dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative (the risk is even worse if the owner moistens the food)

 

Eating dry foods that contain fat among the first four ingredients

 

Insufficient pancreatic enzymes, such as Trypsin (a pancreatic enzyme present in meat)
Dogs with untreated Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (
EPI ) and/or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth ( SIBO ) generally produce more gas and thus are at greater risk  New

 

Dilution of gastric juices necessary for complete digestion by drinking too much water before or after eating

 

Eating gas-producing foods (especially soybean products, brewer's yeast, and alfalfa) 

 

Drinking too much water too quickly (can cause gulping of air)

 

Exercise before and especially after eating

 

Heredity

 

Especially having a first-degree relative who has bloated

 

Dogs who have untreated Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency ( EPI ) are considered more prone to bloat  New
Gas is associated with incomplete digestion   

 

Build & Physical Characteristics

 

Having a deep and narrow chest compared to other dogs of the same breed

 

Older dogs

 

Big dogs

 

Males

 

Being underweight

 

Disposition

 

Fearful or anxious temperament

 

Prone to stress

 

History of aggression toward other dogs or people

 

Prevention

Some of the advice in the links below for reducing the chances of bloat are:

 

Avoid highly stressful situations.  If you can't avoid them, try to minimize the stress as much as possible.  Be extra watchful.
Can be brought on by visits to the vet, dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, new dog in household, change in routine, etc.   Revised

 

Do not use an elevated food bowl

 

Do not exercise for at least an hour (longer if possible) before and especially after eating
Particularly avoid vigorous exercise and don't permit your dog to roll over, which could cause the stomach to twist

 

Do not permit rapid eating

 

Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one

 

Do not give water one hour before or after a meal
It dilutes the gastric juices necessary for proper digestion, which leads to gas production.

 

Always keep a product with simethicone (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Phazyme, Gas-X, etc.) on hand to treat gas symptoms.
Some recommend giving your dog simethicone immediately if your dog burps more than once or shows other signs of gas. 
Some report relief of gas symptoms with 1/2 tsp of nutmeg or the homeopathic remedy Nux moschata 30

 

Allow access to fresh water at all times, except before and after meals

 

Make meals a peaceful, stress-free time

 

When switching dog food, do so gradually (allow several weeks)

 

Do not feed dry food exclusively

 

Feed a high-protein (>30%) diet, particularly of raw meat

 

If feeding dry food, avoid foods that contain fat as one of the first four ingredients  

 

If feeding dry foods, avoid foods that contain citric acid  
If you must use a dry food containing citric acid, do not pre-moisten the food

 

If feeding dry food, select one that includes rendered meat meal with bone product among the first four ingredients  

 

Reduce carbohydrates as much as possible (e.g., typical in many commercial dog biscuits)

 

Feed a high-quality diet
Whole, unprocessed foods are especially beneficial

 

Feed adequate amount of fiber (for commercial dog food, at least 3.00% crude fiber)

 

Add an enzyme product to food (e.g., Prozyme )

 

Include herbs specially mixed for pets that reduce gas (e.g., N.R. Special Blend )

 

Avoid brewer's yeast, alfalfa, and soybean products

 

Promote an acidic environment in the intestine
Some recommend 1-2 Tbs of Aloe Vera Gel or 1 Tbs of apple cider vinegar given right after each meal

 

Promote "friendly" bacteria in the intestine, e.g. from "probiotics" such as supplemental acidophilus
Avoids fermentation of carbohydrates, which can cause gas quickly. 
This is especially a concern when antibiotics are given since antibiotics tend to reduce levels of "friendly" bacteria.  [Note: Probiotics should be given at least 2-4 hours apart from antibiotics so they won't be destroyed.]
New

 

Don't permit excessive, rapid drinking
Especially a consideration on hot days

And perhaps most importantly, know your dog well so you'll know when your dog

 

Breeds At Greatest Risk

Breeds most at risk according to the links below:

 

Afghan Hound

 

Airedale Terrier

 

Akita

 

Alaskan Malamute

 

Basset Hound

 

Bernese Mountain Dog

 

Borzoi

 

Bouvier des Flandres

 

Boxer

 

Bullmastiff

 

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

 

Collie

 

Dachshund

 

Doberman Pinscher

 

English Springer Spaniel

 

Fila Brasileiro

 

Golden Retriever

 

Gordon Setter

 

Great Dane

 

German Shepherd

 

German Shorthaired Pointer

 

Great Pyrenees

 

Irish Setter

 

Irish Wolfhound

 

King Shepherd

 

Labrador Retriever

 

Miniature Poodle

 

Newfoundland

 

Old English Sheepdog

 

Pekinese

 

Rottweiler

 

Samoyed

 

Shiloh Shepherd

 

St. Bernard

 

Standard Poodle

 

Weimaraner

 

Wolfhound

 

Sighthouds

 

Bloodhounds