How to Recognize Signs of Bloat in a Dog

 

December 7, 2017

Bloat in dogs is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Many dogs die from it, as it is difficult for many pet parents to recognize the signs. Recognizing the symptoms of bloat could save your dog’s life, as the condition progresses very quickly, and minutes can make the difference between life and death.

Also known as gastric dilatation, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or twisted stomach, bloat is a medical emergency that up to 40% of dogs die from, even if they get immediate care. Bloat causes a dog’s stomach to fill with air or fluid.

The swelling stomach puts pressure on other internal organs, such as the lungs, which causes the dog to have difficulty breathing. Eventually the condition may decrease blood supply to a dog’s vital organs.

This is Roscoe the Akita as he normally looks.

Commonly associated with large meals, bloat, causes a dog’s stomach to dilate because of food and gas, which may get to a point where neither may be expelled. As the stomach begins to dilate and expand, the pressure in the stomach begins to increase.

The increased pressure and size of the stomach may have several severe consequences, including: preventing adequate blood return to the heart from the abdomen, loss of blood flow to the lining of the stomach, and rupture of the stomach wall.

As the stomach expands, it may also put pressure on the diaphragm preventing the lungs from adequately expanding, which leads to decreased ability to maintain normal breathing.

The stomach can become dilated enough to rotate in the abdomen, a condition called volvulus. The rotation can occasionally lead to blockage to the blood supply to the spleen and the stomach wall, requiring surgical removal of the dead tissues. Most of these canine patients are in shock due to the effects on the entire body

Please continue reading from here: https://c7485ae5.click.kit-mail3.com/75u65rl7qqc8h6xxx2qizhwqmrx7qbnh88v52/reh8hohm6d542qi2h6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZG9naGVpcnMuY29tL2Jsb2F0LWluLWRvZ3Mv

https://www.dogheirs.com/