\u201cBloat\u201d is also called many different things: twisted stomach, Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), gastric torsion, stomach torsion etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great Dane making a funny face <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Side note: it\u2019s unfortunate that we (vets and dog owners) have gotten used to calling it bloat. After all, bloating is not a big deal in people. Yet \u201cbloat\u201d can kill a dog in a matter of hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Classic belly X-ray showing Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, with 2 gas bubbles in the stomach<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Vets sometimes tell pet owners that we don\u2019t really know what causes GDV, and therefore we don\u2019t know how to prevent it. However, that is not exactly accurate\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a summary of the main known causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Breed<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Large and giant dog breeds are at risk for GDV, including Great Danes (the #1 breed), German shepherds, Weimaraners, St. Bernards, Dobemans and Old English sheepdogs. These breeds are roughly 25% more likely to get GDV than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few smaller breeds, such as basset hounds, boxers, and standard poodles can also be prone to GDV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Conformation<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conformation has to do with the shape of a dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dog breeds called \u201cdeep-chested,\u201d have a tall chest and a skinny belly. Think of a Great Dane. A deep chest, combined with stretching of ligaments that attach to the stomach, increases the chance of stomach torsion.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA typical deep chested breed, with a tall chest and a skinny belly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
3. Genetics<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dogs with a first-degree relative who had GDV are at greater risk of getting<\/p>\n\n\n\n
it themselves. This chance increases by 20% with each additional year. These factors confirm that GDV is a partially genetic disease and dogs at risk should be spayed or neutered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, better selection should be taken seriously by breeders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Stress<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stressful situations can also contribute to a twisted stomach. Boarding, thunderstorms, moving, vet visits and hospitalization are all potential triggers for nervous dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One study showed that having a high-stress environment or being fearful contributed to GDV compared to similar dogs who were in a non-stressful environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Feeding<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eating fast, and how often dogs are fed, have been shown to increase the risk of stomach torsion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, if your dog eats fast, it\u2019s important to find ways to slow it down. There are special bowls made for that purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, dogs fed once per day are more likely to have GDV, compared to dogs who are fed 3 times daily. Several small meals throughout the day are better for dogs at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Food<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Believe it or not, studies have shown that moistening dry dog food before feeding actually increases the risk of GDV in large-breed dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ironically, feeding a dry-only diet has also been shown to increase risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what\u2019s a concerned dog owner to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations have been made to help prevent a first episode by avoiding exclusively dry, expanded, cereal-based, or soy protein-based commercial dog foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feeding a combination<\/strong> of dry and canned food together may be a way to lower the chances of GDV. I insist: \u201cmay be a way.\u201d There are no guarantees here, only ways to try to lower the chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, foods with fat listed among the main 4 ingredients have been shown to increase the risk of GDV. So please look at the list of ingredients on your dog food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dobies and German shepherds are at-risk breeds<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
7. Water<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is recommended to avoid drinking large amounts of water before and after exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ironically, too little water before and during meals may increase the chance of a dog suffering from GDV! A recurring \u201chot story\u201d about ice water causing GDV regularly shows up online and appears to be a complete hoax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Exercise<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A fairly classic recommendation to reduce the risk of stomach torsion is to avoid heavy exercise 1 hour before and 2 hours after eating a meal. The idea is that it\u2019s easier for a stomach to twist when it\u2019s full compared to when it\u2019s (partially) empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Age<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though I always say, \u201cage is not a disease,\u201d age can play a role in a dog\u2019s risk for stomach torsion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Great Danes specifically, age is a very important risk factor for GDV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the reasons may be the stretched ligaments, over time, as mentioned above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Other risk factors<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are countless other risk factors that are unproven, controversial, or contradicting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
. For example, some studies show that a raised bowl is better to decrease aerophagia (aka swallowing air), while others imply a bowl on the floor is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
. The at-risk gender varies from study to study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
. The month, the cycle of the moon, and a previous spleen removal are also fuzzy risk factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gastropexy<\/span><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This last point is not a risk factor \u2013 on the opposite, but it\u2019s important to mention here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A gastropexy, or tacking the stomach to the inside of the belly, is a simple surgery that can prevent twisting of the stomach. In good hands, it\u2019s successful over 95% of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, it prevents twisting of the stomach, not true \u201cbloating\u201d – aka the stomach getting full of air \u2013 we don\u2019t know how to prevent that and it remains a risk for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClassic belly X-ray showing Gastric Dilatation only, with 1 giant gas bubble in the stomach<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The gastropexy or \u201cpexy\u201d in short is part of the surgery to treat GDV. But it can also be done preventively, or prophylactically. So it\u2019s called a prophylactic gastropexy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, Great Danes have a 40 % chance of having GDV in their lifetime. Ideally, this life-saving surgery should be performed at the time of the dog\u2019s spay or neuter – or as soon as possible after that. Of course, it\u2019s never too late to prophylactically pexy a dog\u2026 until they have an episode of GDV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please beware, the next picture of a gastropexy can seem graphic to some readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
I have helped a number of pet owners perform gastropexies over the years. Some were wise to do it before GDV happens in their at-risk dog. Some learned the hard way (i.e. their dog got a twisted stomach, and that\u2019s how they learned about the pexy option).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Either way, it can be done as a \u201cstand alone\u201d surgery, or at the time of a spay or neuter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To recap, we know a lot about the risk factors of GDV. Be aware of them, and prevent those you can control. You could very well save your dog\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, Fear Free Certified<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cBloat\u201d is also called many different things: twisted stomach, Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), gastric torsion, stomach torsion etc. Side note: it\u2019s unfortunate that we (vets and dog owners) have gotten used to calling it bloat. After all, bloating is not a big deal in people. Yet \u201cbloat\u201d can kill a dog in a matter of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[158,206,159,205,157,22,156],"class_list":["post-1706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-bloat","tag-gastric-dilatation-volvulus","tag-gastropexy","tag-gdv","tag-phil-zeltzman","tag-veterinary-emergency","tag-veterinary-surgeon"],"yoast_head":"\n
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