Will a dog with bloat drink water
Bloat in Dogs
What Is Bloat in Dogs?
Bloat in dogs is a condition in which food or gas stretches a pups stomach, causing abdominal pain. While its more common in large breed or deep-chested dogs, any breed can develop bloat.
When bloat occurs, a dogs stomach begins to expand, or distend, and cuts off blood flow to the abdomen as well as the stomach itself. This may cause injury or death of the stomach wall and without treatment, other organs. Bloat can also put pressure on the diaphragm, a thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. This can cause difficulty breathing in dogs.
In severe cases of bloat, a dogs stomach flips, or twists, and fills with gas. This is called gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV).
Bloat with GDV cuts off blood flow to a pups stomach and the lower half of their body, making it impossible for food to pass into the intestine. In extreme cases of GDV, a dogs stomach can rupture, and the spleen can also be injured.
All cases of bloat are medical emergencies, and require veterinary intervention to determine the severity. If untreated, a dog with GDV will die within hours. If bloat and GDV are treated immediately, they are often curable.
Symptoms of Bloat in Dogs
Bloat is an uncomfortable and painful condition. Symptoms of bloat in dogs include:
Dry-heaving (also called retching) without vomiting any food. Sometimes a dog might spit out white foam when trying to vomit, which is usually mucus from the esophagus or stomach.
Abdominal swelling (this might not be visible in the early stages of bloat)
Sudden anxiety, pacing, an inability to get comfortable or constantly moving around the room/house.
Positioning the body in a downward-facing pose, where the dogs back half is up, and upper half is down
Panting and drooling
Collapse
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Pale gums
Causes of Bloat in Dogs
Its unknown why bloat and GDV occurs in dogs.
While these conditions can affect in any pup, there are suspected risk factors that can increase the chance of bloat in dogs. These include:
Dogs that ingest large amounts of food or water too quickly
Dogs that weigh more than 99 pounds
Dogs that are male
Dogs that are older
Dogs that are of large breeds and deep-chested
Dogs that exercise immediately after eating
Dogs that eat from an elevated food bowl
Dogs with a family history of bloat
Dogs that eat dry food with fat or oil listed in the first four ingredients
How Veterinarians Diagnose Bloat in Dogs
A veterinarian may suspect bloat and/or GDV by simply seeing a dogs distressed behavior and physical appearance, but they usually perform tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Veterinarians diagnose bloat in dogs with:
Treatment of Bloat in Dogs
If caught in time, bloat is curable. However, treatment of bloat in dogs depends on the severity.
There are no home remedies for bloat in dogs. Dogs with simple bloat are usually hospitalized to receive of intravenous (IV) fluids and medication for pain or nausea as needed. Theyre also walked often to stimulate movement of the gastrointestinal tract to help move the gas and food quickly through the body.
A dog with GDV requires more intense care. This typically includes:
IV fluids with electrolytes to aggressively treat shock and improve circulation to vital organs.
Pain medications andantibiotics to treat discomfort, shock, and any death of tissues from the loss of circulation.
Trocharization, a procedure often used to decompress the air out of the stomach to restore the blood flow.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor for any heart abnormalities.
Surgery, which is performed as soon as the dog is stable. Depending on the severity of bloat, a vet may have to untwist the dogs stomach and/or spleen. They may alsoremove any part of the stomach wall that has died due to loss of blood flow. The vet will also stitch the stomach to the body wall in a procedure called a gastropexy. This significantly reduces the risk of rotation of the stomach in the future.
Recovery and Management of Bloat in Dogs
After diagnosis, dogs with simple bloat tend to bounce back into their normal lives and routines one to two days after receiving fluids and taking frequent walks.
Following a gastropexy procedure, a dog will remain in the hospital until their pain is controlled and the dog is eating and drinking normally on their own.
The duration of a pups hospital stay depends on their health history and severity of bloat. Their stay may be anywhere from one to two days, to up to seven or more.
Follow your vets discharge instructions regarding surgical aftercare. This includes typically 10 to 14 days of rest, monitoring the incision, and giving oral medications. It may be useful to purchase a cone or recovery suit to help keep your pup from licking/chewing at their surgical incision during recovery.
Prevention of Bloat in Dogs
You can lower the risk of your dog developing bloat by doing the following:
Never leave large bags or bins of food accessible to your dog to avoid overeating.
Do not use raised food bowls unless advised by your veterinarian (some pets require a raised food bowl due to a medical condition).
Have your dog wait at least one hour after a meal or drinking a large amount of water for any exercise or playtime.
Feed your pup small meals a few times throughout the day instead of one or two large meals.
Dont allow your dog to gorge on water when drinking.
Discuss preventative surgery with your veterinarian for breeds at higher risk of bloat. This can often be performed during your pets spay or neuter procedure.
If purchasing a pup from a breeder, be sure to ask if there is any family history of bloat or GDV.
Bloat in Dogs FAQs
What relieves bloating fast in dogs?
If your dog is experiencing bloat, they require immediate medical attention. If the bloat is distension only and the stomach has not twisted (GDV), your vet will treat your pup with fluids, medications, and increased walking. If your dogs stomach has twisted, emergency surgery will likely be required.
Can dogs survive bloat?
Yes. While bloat and GDV are both medical emergencies and potentially life-threatening, with fast medical intervention they can make a complete recovery.
Its important to get your dog emergency veterinary careone to two hours can be the difference between a good and bad prognosis.
What foods cause bloat in dogs?
No specific foods cause bloat in dogs. Large amounts of food and water or exercising after a large meal are more significant concerns.
Research shows that dry dog foods that list oils or fats among the first four labeled ingredients may predispose dogs to GDV.
WRITTEN BY
Katie Grzyb, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Katie Grzybreceived her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2009. She continued her clinical training at...
Will A Dog With Bloat Still Want To Eat? (Explained)
Being a dog owner is an experience each owner cherishes. We all want our dogs to be healthy and feel good when they are well; however, dogs, too, are prone to certain health conditions, just like humans.
It is of utmost importance that you, as the owner understand these conditions to be better equipped.
Bloat, gastric dilatation, and volvulus are severe health conditions that your dog can suffer from; if left untreated, they can be fatal and most likely end in death. The definite causes of GDV are unknown; however, understanding it and knowing its symptoms in dogs can help you save your dog.
Will A Dog With Bloat Still Want To Eat?
Dogs will avoid eating when they have bloat. Bloat is a very painful process where the stomach fills up with gas and flips upside down. The upside-down stomach compromises blood flow and the movement of food. Your dog is in excruciating pain amid everything and will most likely not have any form of appetite or ability to ingest its food.
Will A Dog With Bloat Still Want To Play?
Dogs with bloat will not be very active. Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) are one of the most painful health conditions where the stomach fills up with gas or liquid and flips. This causes the stomach to swell and become firm to the touch. Your dog is in immense pain when bloating and has been known to fall into depression and not want to play or exercise.
Will A Dog With Bloat Still Drink Water?
Dogs with bloat will still drink water. Bloat is a condition where the stomach cannot effectively digest its contents, so they remain inside until it ferments and causes pressure.
This stretches the stomach causing pain; however, even though painful, your dog will most likely opt to drink water instead of eating because it is easier to go down. They will consume in small amounts and not try to aggravate their condition.
Will A Dog With Bloat Pee?
Yes, a dog with bloat is still able to pee. Bloating is one of the most painful experiences your dog can go through because the stomach is being stretched out from the inside and taking up more space than intended. Peeing intensifies the pain because your dog has to push to pee, and as they are doing so, they are exerting pressure on their stomach which hurts them.
Will A Dog With Bloat Sleep?
Sleeping becomes a discomfort for a bloating dog. According to medical experts, bloating is one of the most painful experiences your dog can experience, making most of their daily activities and routine more challenging. Sleeping becomes even worse when the stomach rotates and flips upside down, leading to unbearable pain. Your dog will not be able to sit calmly or sleep.
Will A Dog With Bloat Poop?
Dogs with bloat will not poop. When your dog gets bloats, its stomach cannot process foods, gas, or liquids. Instead of being taken out through the anus, the gases or food are trapped in the stomach. These contents stay there until it causes pressure inside the stomach; however, they will still not be able to poop because nothing was digested.
Will A Dog With Bloat Eat Grass?
Dogs with bloat may eat grass to ease an upset stomach. Many dogs will consume grass when they are feeling nauseous. Many Veterinarians believe that eating grass either settles the stomach or induces vomiting to get the irritant out.Your dog may be trying to ease their sore stomach or is trying to relieve itself by vomiting. Monitor your dog carefully and visit the vet for assistance.
How Do I Know If My Dog Is Suffering From Bloat?
The best indications of bloating are a swollen stomach and retching. When gases and stomach contents have nowhere to go, they ferment, resulting in pressure being built. This pressure causes swelling of the stomach that is firm to the touch. Another good sign is retching, where they attempt to vomit, but nothing comes out. Other good indications include:
- Look of distress.
- Excessive drooling.
Can Dogs With Bloat Still Poop?
Dogs with bloat find it difficult to poop. The stomach cannot digest food and other liquids, so it stagnates inside. Contents cannot reach the rectum where they can be let out, which poses long-term consequences, including constipation. This condition is aggravated when the stomach flips upside down and restricts the flow of blood and food. Take your dog immediately to the vet if you suspect bloat.
How Do You Debloat A Dogs Stomach?
You should not try to treat your dogs bloat at home; take them to the vet immediately. Suppose under; they will be stabilized shock. In that case, diagnostic tests are then conducted like measuring blood pressure and X-Rays to confirm the bloating or other health conditions which may complicate the surgery.
The built-up gas inside the stomach is released, followed by repairs of the damaged stomach. Monitor your dog once at home to ensure there were no complications during surgery.
Should A Dogs Belly Be Hard?
No, a healthy dogs belly should not be hard. Hard bellies indicate a health condition, most notably bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus. This severe condition makes your dogs digestive system cease to function effectively. The remaining contents inside the stomach ferment, causing pressure build-up that eventually leads to a hard swollen belly. Take your dog immediately to the vet upon discovering this.
Does A Dog With Bloat Fart?
Dogs with bloat cannot fart. Bloat occurs when the digestive system has problems processing the ingested contents. These contents remain inside the stomach until it eventually ferments and causes a build-up of gases; however, these gases have nowhere to escape. This is why dogs with bloat have swollen bellies because the gases and other contents ingested cannot escape.
How Quickly Does Dog Bloat Happen?
Dog bloat occurs approximately 2 to 3 hours after the meal. Bloat occurs when the food ingested cannot get digested by the stomach; however, it remains in the stomach because there is no other place to go. Bloating on many occasions is life-threatening so if you may suspect your dog of bloating, take them to the vet immediately.
Do Dogs With Bloat Drink A Lot Of Water?
No, dogs with bloat do not drink a lot of water. Excess water consumption can lead to Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). If your dog has GDV, it will experience immense pain, and pressure will build up inside the stomach, causing it to bulge. A dog with bloat may drink water often due to fatigue from being restless because of the pain they are feeling. Unfortunately, this pain causes them to reduce their food and water intake, which is dangerous.
Will A Dog With Bloat Lay Down?
No, dogs with bloat will not lay down. Bloat is an uncomfortable condition in dogs that causes stomach swelling and flipping; this is called Gastric dilatation and volvulus(GDV). Once flipped, blood flow in vital areas is compromised, and the contents inside the stomach are stuck with no place to exit. The pressure inside the stomach starts to build, which causes the stomach to swell and push against major organs. Your dog will feel intense pain that makes them unable to sit calm or lay down.
Conclusion
There is no known cause of float and GDV in dogs. This means it is not possible to 100% guard your dog from experiencing it; however, there are measures that you, as the owner, can take to decrease the likelihood of it occurring.
You should familiarise yourself with the symptoms of these two health conditions, more so if your dog breed Is prone to it. Consider prophylactic gastropexy at the time of your dogs spaying, it does not stop bloat, but it will stop the stomach from flipping and prevent immense pain.
