Dog Bloat: Causes, Signs, and Symptoms

Learn to recognize the signs of bloating in dogs. Also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus, this condition turns deadly for far too many dogs.

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BLOAT IN DOGS: OVERVIEW

1. If your dog is a breed at high risk for bloating, discuss with your vet the merits of a prophylactic gastropexy at the time of neutering.

2. Familiarize yourself and your dog with the emergency veterinary services in your area, or anywhere you’ll be traveling with your dog. You never know when you’ll need to rush your bloating dog to the animal hospital.

3. Feed your dog several smaller meals daily rather than one or two bigger meals to reduce your dog’s risk of gastric dilatation.

4. Consider feeding your dog a home-prepared diet; while there have not been studies that support the assertion, many dog owners who make their dogs’ food swear that it prevents GDV.


Imagine seeing your dog exhibit some strange symptoms, rushing him to the vet within minutes, only to have the vet proclaim his case to be hopeless and recommend euthanasia. For too many pet parents, that’s the story of dog bloat, an acute medical condition characterized by a rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach.

In fact, that was exactly the case with Remo, a Great Dane owned by Sharon Hansen of Tucson, Arizona. “He was at the vet’s in under seven minutes,” says Hansen, in describing how quickly she was able to respond to Remo’s symptoms. He had just arisen from an unremarkable, hour-long nap, so Hansen was stunned to see Remo displaying some of the classic symptoms of dog bloat, including restlessness, distended belly, and unproductive vomiting.

Despite Hansen’s quick action, Remo’s situation rapidly became critical. Radiographs showed that his stomach had twisted 180 degrees. Remo was in great pain and the vet felt the damage was irreversible. Hansen made the difficult decision to have Remo euthanized at that time.

Canine bloat, or more technically, gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), is a top killer of dogs, especially of deep-chested giant and large breeds, such as Great Danes and Standard Poodles. A study published in Veterinary Surgery in 1996 estimated that 40,000 to 60,000 dogs in the United States are affected with GDV each year with a mortality rate of up to 33 percent.

Gas accumulation alone is known as dog bloat, or dilatation. The accumulation of gas sometimes causes the stomach to rotate or twist on its axis; this is referred to as torsion or volvulus. Bloat can occur on its own, or as a precursor to torsion. In this article, to simplify the terms, bloat and GDV are used interchangeably.

Both conditions can be life-threatening, although it often takes longer for a straightforward gastric dilatation without volvulus to become critical. “Bloats without torsion can last for minutes to hours, even days in low-level chronic situations, without it becoming life-threatening. But with torsion, the dog can progress to shock rapidly, even within minutes,” explains Alicia Faggella DVM, DACVECC, a board-certified specialist in veterinary emergency and critical care.

“A dog can go into shock from bloat because the stomach expands, putting pressure on several large arteries and veins. Blood does not get through the body as quickly as it should,” continues Dr. Faggella. In addition, the blood supply gets cut off to the stomach, which can cause tissue to die, while toxic products build up.

While some less acute cases of dog bloat may resolve themselves, it often takes an experienced veterinarian to know just how serious the problem may be, and whether surgical intervention is required to save the dog’s life.

Symptoms of Bloat in Dogs

– Unproductive vomiting
– Apparent distress
– Distended abdomen, which may or may not be visible
– Restlessness
– Excessive salivation/drooling
– Panting
– The dog’s stomach is hard or feels taut to the touch, like a drum
– Pacing
– Repeated turning to look at flank/abdomen
– Owner feels like something just isn’t right!

Dog Bloat is Frighteningly Deadly

Various studies have estimated the mortality rate for dogs who have experienced an episode of GDV, and while the results varied, they were all frighteningly high – from about 18 percent to more than 30 percent. The rates used to be much higher, however.

“Veterinarians over the past two decades have reduced dramatically the postoperative fatality rate from gastric dilatation-volvulus from more than 50 percent to less than 20 percent by using improved therapy for shock, safer anesthetic agents, and better surgical techniques,” says Lawrence Glickman, VMD, DrPH, and lead researcher on a number of studies related to GDV at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

In many acute cases of GDV, surgery is the only option to save the life of the animal. In addition to repositioning the stomach, it may also be “tacked” to the abdominal wall in a procedure called gastropexy. While dogs who have had gastropexy may experience gastric dilatation again, it is impossible for the stomach to rotate, as in volvulus or torsion.

What Causes Bloat in Dogs?

Theories about the causes of bloat in dogs abound, including issues related to anatomy, environment, and care. Research from Purdue University, particularly over the past 10 years, has shown that there are certain factors and practices that appear to increase the risk of GDV, some of which fly in the face of conventional wisdom.

“We don’t know exactly why GDV happens,” says Dr. Faggella. Some people do all of the “wrong” things, and their dogs don’t experience it, she says, while some do all of what we think are the “right” things, and their dogs do.

The most widely recognized and accepted risk factor is anatomical – being a larger, deep-chested dog. When viewed from the side, these dogs have chest cavities that are significantly longer from spine to sternum, when compared to the width of the chest cavity viewed from the front.

This body shape may increase the risk of bloat because of a change in the relationship between the esophagus and the stomach. “In dogs with deeper abdomens, the stretching of the gastric ligaments over time may allow the stomach to descend relative to the esophagus, thus increasing the gastroesophageal angle, and this may promote bloat,” says Dr. Glickman.

Can Small Dogs Get Bloat?

It isn’t just large- and giant-breed dogs that can bloat; smaller breeds do as well. “I’ve seen Dachshunds, Yorkies, and other small Terrier breeds with bloat,” says Dr. Faggella. She emphasizes that all dog guardians should be familiar with the signs of bloat, and be ready to rush their dog to the vet if any of the symptoms are present.

Likelihood of an incident of dog bloat seems to increase with age. Purdue reports that there is a 20 percent increase in risk for each year increase in age. This may be related to increased weakness, over time, in the ligaments holding the stomach in place, Dr. Glickman explains.

Another key risk factor is having a close relative that has experienced GDV. According to one of the Purdue studies that focused on nondietary risk factors for GDV, there is a 63 percent increase in risk associated with having a first degree relative (sibling, parent, or offspring) who experienced bloat.

Personality and stress also seem to play a role. Dr. Glickman’s research found that risk of GDV was increased by 257 percent in fearful dogs versus nonfearful dogs. Dogs described as having a happy personality bloated less frequently than other dogs. “These findings seem to be consistent from study to study,” adds Dr. Glickman.

Dogs who eat rapidly and are given just one large meal per day have an increased susceptibility to GDV than other dogs. The Purdue research found that “for both large- and giant-breed dogs, the risk of GDV was highest for dogs fed a larger volume of food once daily.”

The ingredients of a dog’s diet also appear to factor into susceptibility to bloat. A Purdue study examined the diets of over 300 dogs, 106 of whom had bloated. This study found that dogs fed a dry food that included a fat source in the first four ingredients were 170 percent more likely to bloat than dogs who were fed food without fat in the first four ingredients. In addition, the risk of GDV increased 320 percent in dogs fed dry foods that contained citric acid and were moistened before feeding. On the other hand, a rendered meat meal that included bone among the first four ingredients lowered risk by 53 percent.

Another study by Purdue found that adding “table foods in the diet of large- and giant-breed dogs was associated with a 59 percent decreased risk of GDV, while inclusion of canned foods was associated with a 28 percent decreased risk.” The relationship between feeding a home-prepared diet, either cooked or raw, hasn’t been formally researched.

Anecdotally, however, many holistic vets believe that a home-prepared diet significantly reduces the risk of bloat. “I haven’t seen bloat in more than five years,” says Monique Maniet, DVM, of Veterinary Holistic Care in Bethesda, Maryland. She estimates that 75 to 80 percent of her clients feed a raw or home-cooked diet to their dogs.

Dr. Faggella also noticed a difference in the occurrence of bloat while in Australia, helping a university set up a veterinary critical care program. “I didn’t see bloat as commonly there [as compared to the US],” she says. They feed differently there, with fewer prepared diets and more raw meat and bones, which may contribute to the lower incidence of GDV, she adds.

It is often recommended that limiting exercise and water before and after eating will decrease the risk of bloat. However, in one of the Purdue studies, while exercise or excessive water consumption around meal time initially seemed to affect likelihood of GDV, when other factors were taken into account, such as having a close relative with a history of GDV, in a “multivariate model,” these factors were no longer associated with an increased risk of bloat.

Or, more simply put, “there seems to be no advantage to restricting water intake or exercise before or after eating,” says Dr. Glickman.

How to Prevent Bloating in Dogs

Because the theories and research on what causes bloat aren’t always in agreement, the ways to prevent GDV can conflict as well. One thing that everyone can agree on, though, is that feeding smaller meals several times a day is the best option for reducing the risk.

One of the top recommendations to reduce the occurrence of GDV from the Purdue researchers is to not breed a dog that has a first-degree relative that has bloated. Results of their study suggest that “the incidence of GDV could be reduced by approximately 60 percent, and there may be 14 percent fewer cases in the population, if such advice were followed.”

In addition, Glickman says they recommend prophylactic gastropexy for dogs “at a very high risk, such as Great Danes. Also, we do not recommend that dogs have this surgery unless they have been neutered or will be neutered at the same time.”

The concern about performing a gastropexy on an unneutered dog is that it “might mask expression of a disease with a genetic component in a dog that might be bred.”

While gastropexy hasn’t been evaluated in its ability to prevent GDV from happening the first time, research has shown that just five percent of dogs whose stomachs are tacked as a result of an episode of GDV will experience a repeat occurrence, whereas up to 80 percent of dogs whose stomachs are simply repositioned experience a reoccurrence.

Raised Bowls Raise the Risk of Bloating

It has long been an accepted practice to elevate the food bowls of giant-breed and taller large-breed dogs. The theory is that, in addition to comfort, a raised food bowl will prevent the dog from gulping extra air while eating, which in turn should reduce the likelihood of bloat. However, this recommendation has never been evaluated formally.

It was included in the large variety of factors followed in a Purdue study,* and one of the most controversial findings. The research suggests that feeding from an elevated bowl seems to actually increase the risk of GDV.

The researchers created a “multivariate model” that took into account a number of factors, such as whether there was a history of GDV in a first-degree relative, and whether the dog was fed from an elevated bowl. Of the incidences of GDV that occurred during the study, about 20 percent in large-breed dogs and 52 percent in giant-breed dogs were attributed to having a raised food bowl.

The raw data, which doesn’t take into account any of the additional factors, shows that more than 68 percent of the 58 large-breed dogs that bloated during the study were fed from raised bowls. More than 66 percent of the 51 giant-breed dogs that bloated during the study were fed from raised bowls.

* These findings were reported in “Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large- and giant-breed dogs,” an article published November 15, 2000, in Volume 217, No. 10 of Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The study followed more than 1,600 dogs from specific breeds for a number of years, gathering information on medical history, genetic background, personality, and diet.

Phazyme: The Controversial Gas-Reliever

After Remo’s death, Sharon Hansen learned that some large-breed dog owners swear by an anti-gas product called Phazyme for emergency use when bloat is suspected. Phazyme is the brand name of gelcaps containing simethicone, an over-the-counter anti-gas remedy for people. GlaxoSmith-Kline, maker of Phazyme, describes it as a defoaming agent that reduces the surface tension of gas bubbles, allowing the gas to be eliminated more easily by the body.

Less than a year and a half later, Hansen had an opportunity to try the product when her new rescue dog Bella, a Dane/Mastiff mix, bloated. “Bella came looking for me one afternoon, panting and obviously in distress,” explains Hansen, who immediately recognized the signs of bloat.

Hansen was prepared with caplets of Phazyme on hand. “I was giving her the caplets as we headed out to the car,” says Hansen. Almost immediately, Bella began to pass gas on the short ride to the vet. “She started passing gas from both ends,” Hansen says. By the time they arrived at the vet, Bella was acting much more comfortable, and seemed significantly less distressed.

At the vet’s office, gastric dilatation was confirmed, and luckily, there was no evidence of torsion. Hansen credits the Phazyme for reducing the seriousness of Bella’s episode. This is a generally accepted practice among guardians of bloat-prone dogs, but not all experts agree with it.

Dr. Faggella cautions against giving anything by mouth, as it could cause vomiting, which could lead to aspiration. “If you suspect bloat, simply bring your dog to the vet immediately. The earlier we catch it, the better,” she says.

Dr. Nancy Curran, DVM, a holistic vet in Portland, Oregon, agrees that trying to administer anything orally could lead to greater problems. However, she suggests that Rescue Remedy, a combination of flower essences that is absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth, may help ease the shock and trauma. “Rescue Remedy helps defuse the situation for everyone involved. It won’t cure anything, but it can be helpful on the way to the vet,” she says, recommending that the guardian take some as well as dosing the dog.

Holistic Prevention of Dog Bloat

“We may be able to recognize an imbalance from a Chinese medical perspective,” says Dr. Curran. She’s found that typically dogs prone to bloat have a liver/stomach disharmony. Depending on the dog’s situation, she may prescribe a Chinese herbal formula, use acupuncture, and/or suggest dietary changes and supplements to correct the underlying imbalance, thereby possibly preventing an episode in the first place.

Dr. Maniet also looks to balance a dog’s system early on as the best form of prevention. Each of her patients is evaluated individually and treated accordingly, most often with Chinese herbs or homeopathic remedies.

Both holistic vets also recommend the use of digestive enzymes and probiotics, particularly for breeds susceptible to canine bloat, or with existing digestive issues. “Probiotics and digestive enzymes can reduce gas, so I’d expect that they will also help reduce bloat,” explains Dr. Maniet.

Another avenue to consider is helping your fearful or easily stressed dog cope better in stressful situations. While no formal research has been conducted to confirm that this in fact would reduce the risk of bloat, given the statistics that indicate how much more at risk of GDV fearful dogs are, it certainly couldn’t hurt. Things to consider include positive training, desensitization, Tellington TTouch Method, calming herbs, aromatherapy, or flower essences.

While there is an abundance of information on how to prevent and treat bloat, much of it is conflicting. The best you can do is to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of GDV and know your emergency care options. While it may be difficult to prevent completely, one thing is clear. The quicker a bloating dog gets professional treatment the better.

Case History: Laparoscopically Assisted Gastropexy

On May 6, 2004, Dusty, a nine-year-old Doberman, was in obvious distress. “He was panting, pacing, and wanting to be near me,” his guardian, Pat Mangelsdorf explains. Dusty didn’t have any signs of tenderness or injury, and his appetite and elimination were fine. Mangelsdorf wasn’t sure what the problem could be. After a few hours, his behavior didn’t improve, so she took Dusty to the vet.

“By that time, he had calmed a bit, and there still wasn’t any tenderness or distension. Radiographs showed some arthritis in his spine, so we thought that was causing him pain,” she says. A few hours later, Dusty lay down to rest and seemed normal.

Three days later, Mangelsdorf received a surprise call. “A radiologist had reviewed the X-rays and noticed that Dusty had a partial torsion,” she says. The vet suggested that to help prevent another incident of torsion, Dusty’s activity level, food, and water should be more tightly controlled, and a gastropexy should be considered to rule out future occurrences.

Mangelsdorf began researching her options. Was the surgery necessary? If so, which would be best, the full abdominal surgery or the laparoscopic procedure? Before she could decide, Dusty had another apparent torsion episode. “He had exactly the same symptoms,” says Mangelsdorf. Dusty spent a night at the emergency clinic, and more radiographs were taken, but they were inconclusive. Nevertheless, Mangelsdorf had made up her mind.

After reviewing the options and the potential risks and rewards, Mangelsdorf opted for a laparoscopically assisted gastropexy, rather than a traditional gastropexy with a full abdominal incision. “A laparoscopic gastropexy is minimally invasive, with just two small incisions,” explains Dusty’s surgeon, Dr. Timothy McCarthy, of Surgical Specialty Clinic for Animals in Beaverton, Oregon. Dr. McCarthy, who specializes in minimally invasive surgeries and endoscopic diagnostic procedures, has been performing this type of gastropexy for about four years.

This specialized procedure for gastropexy was developed by Dr. Clarence Rawlings, a surgeon and professor of small animal medicine at University of Georgia. The technique involves two small incisions. The first incision is to insert the scope for visualizing the procedure, the second incision is used to access the stomach for suturing. After palpating the stomach, it is pulled up toward the abdominal wall, near the second incision. The stomach is then sutured directly to the abdominal wall, as in a standard gastropexy. The incisions are then closed as normal, usually with staples.

“This is a very quick procedure. An experienced surgeon can do it in 15 minutes,” says McCarthy. While quick, the surgery isn’t inexpensive. It costs about $1,500 at McCarthy’s clinic.

On July 27, Dusty underwent surgery. The procedure went well, without any complications. Later that evening, Dusty started heavy panting and shivering, but X-rays and bloodwork showed everything normal. With IV fluids, he was more settled in a few hours, and back to normal by morning.

“Afterwards, we did short walks, no stairs, and three or four small meals a day for two weeks,” says Mangelsdorf. Gradually, she increased Dusty’s exercise until he was back to normal levels. She added acidophilus as well as more moisture into his diet, including cottage cheese and canned food, while keeping his water bowl at lower levels so he doesn’t drink excessive amounts at any one time.

Shannon Wilkinson, of Portland, Oregon, is a freelance writer, life coach, and TTouch practitioner.

29 COMMENTS

  1. We just lost our 2 1/2 year old Shiloh Shepherd to Bloat. When you say it is Frighteningly Deadly is an understatement! I knew about Bloat and I thought we were being careful. No exercise one hour before or eating or after. Mixed her kibble with canned food , etc. etc. Our girl was not one to gobble her food. Needless to say we are heartbroken!!

  2. Never happened to my pets………I have had over 25 dogs as small as Chihuahua to Great Dane. Presently a Giant Schnauzer over 14 yr old aDoberman, Mini Schnauzer & Carin Terrier……two meals a day of wet food…..snack during the day …..never dry food…but I do put some in a bowl to snack on (they never eat it because I feed wet food and snacks are much tastier……my Mini Schnauzer lived to 18yr and passed in his sleep…..never and tummy problems….and I use elevated bowls for the Dobe……the Giant I have to spoon feed and that is really elevated………after dinner they get vanilla yogurt with probiotics non-gmo……vitamins and joint support………I guess I am lucky for doing it right………

  3. Wow. You should be so proud of yourself, Judy. You have definitely prevented bloat by being so smart. What’s sad is that another dog owner was expressing grief at their loss, and after reading an article about how fickle bloat is to diagnose and prevent, and how genetics play such a huge role, you felt it the right time to pat yourself on the back for giving your dogs yogurt for dessert. Never happened to lots of dog owners, but guess they were not asshole enough to mention it on here. But you sure did, Judy! I am glad I don’t know you, but I try to keep dipshits as far away from me as possible. Guess I am just lucky for doing it right.
    Joyce, I am really sorry to hear that as well, and so sorry for your loss. It’s heartbreaking. Keep your head up. -John

    • I completely agree with your comment John. Judy’s comment really felt like an unnecessary slap in the face to a pet owner grieving a loss. It even said in the article, “We don’t know exactly why GDV happens,” says Dr. Faggella. Some people do all of the “wrong” things, and their dogs don’t experience it, she says, while some do all of what we think are the “right” things, and their dogs do.“ Judy can go ahead and give herself a pat on the back for doing “things right” but in reality she has just been lucky. Maybe one day she’ll get lucky and learn to have some compassion for others. And that’s all I have to say about that.

    • Judy,
      I am so sorry for your loss! I hope you can take some comfort in the love and attention you gave her while she was with you. We, too, lost our much-loved six and a half year-old Great Dane to bloat in August. It was completely unexpected and a very quick but cruel end to the life of a wonderful companion. She died within 2 hours of exhibiting cognizable symptoms of bloat She had had GI issues since puppyhood, so we had her pexied at 9 months with her spay. We followed all the veterinarians’ advice, and she was on a special diet all her life. She was the healthiest she had been in her life. We went to lunch; she seemed fine. When we came home she had all the classic signs of bloat. We took her to the nearest ER center, but she died on route.we are still devastated, and wracked with guilt by all the “what ifs”.
      Judy needs support and compassion through her loss, not what she should or should not have done, which, in fact, no one can know. We all wrestle with the reasons for loss, and sometimes mistake happenstance for our own complete success. I am glad the other commentator has had such good fortune. I am also certain it was not entirely a result of her care.

      • Jayne, I understand your comments so thoroughly as I have just lost my most beloved Redbone Coon Hound to GDV only two days ago. He was not yet 7 years old. He never exhibited any gastric issues during his life and I had no knowledge of this condition. So when he threw up his supper Friday evening I thought he had only eaten something unsettling. An hour later he started to act uncomfortable by changing position every 15 seconds. I had no idea what kind of distress he was in. Then he lay down next to me on our bed and did not move for several minutes until I noticed his eyes were dilated and unresponsive. So then I knew something was very wrong. So I picked his limp body up and drove him to the ER….but he passed away 5 minutes from arriving. I will never forgive myself for not recognizing what was happening sooner. I miss him so terribly …he was my best friend. I can not stop the tears.

    • Do you guys just not choose to read Judy’s full comment or are you just too ignorant? I get it you are on this website because an animal you love probably has something wrong with them and I’m sorry for that if it’s true, but then a guy who has has many dogs and good experiences with the health of his dogs gives you some ideas as to what might prevent this, but no you guys just think “oh this guy is obviously bragging about his dogs” and then bash him for giving you guys information on experiences he’s had with his dogs. If you guys would just read his comment and try to understand what he’s saying you might try out what he does and it might save your dog.

      • I agree! People helping people with their stories. Ty!
        My first Dane I had for 14 year’s, we ate everything ! Never a problem, died of old age.
        My 2nd Dane, I had for 7 years. Died of Bloat! 2 months ago! Dry food, 2 times a day OK occasionally wet food but every once in a while like once a month I would give her some steak bone and steak me thanking it was fine for her!
        I now have a 8 month old Boy and I’m being very careful and doing my home work on everything to due with bloat!
        I believe every dog is different and that we all are doing the best we can!
        I want to thank everyone for your stories!
        May God Bless you & your babies!

  4. Sorry for your loss Joyce! I to experienced this awful tragedy on Thurs the 19th. We just lost our beloved German Shepherd mix to bloat, gdv.. unfortunately had no clue this existed, only thing I thought to worry about was hip displacement. First mistake, I did feed my dogs one meal a day, dry mixed with wet. 2nd mistake she drank water before she ate. Just routine, we did this for 8 years, why now.. 3rd mistake she ate very fast, then try and eat whatever was left from our other dog.
    Pretzel was acting funny in days prior but nothing to crazy, just tail between legs and a bit cautious but still acted normal otherwise. I get a call from mother in law stating I need to get home immediately, something is not right with Pretzel.. she came in lethargic through the back slider and ran into the kitchen island, and went to her dog bed. Not sure why they waited to take her, but she laid there normally then in minutes she is foaming at the mouth and roles into shock.. I am racing to get home to find my in laws trying to give her cpr.. again we all had no clue about bloating so just trying to get her to breathe. Good Vet is like 30 min away, so I quick grab her race to unknown vet and of course the closer vet does not come in till 3pm it’s 1:30, WTF! I believe she was gone once we left the house, her gums were pale/grey and non responsive. Approx 30 minutes later we get to the good vet and confirm she is gone. Telling us more then likely from the stomach twisting.. Common in German shepards. So now I know and hope to help others.. just wish I would have known or heard about it to possibly acted faster or in laws could have taken her immediately. So yes I broke the rules, but had no clue I was and nothing till now happened for 8 years. I feel somewhat guilty, but the Lord makes all these decisions and have to take peace in that.. but my pretzel was a good dog and didn’t deserve to go out that way! I will share this with everyone I know to educate the urgency that needs to take place if these symptoms are present. And there needs to be an ambulance for dogs (animals) to vet, I nearly broke all the road laws trying to save time.. not healthy for dog owner or others driving!

  5. I am confused about the raised bowl or not raised bowl thing. I was told by a vet to raise the bowl so my Mastiff didn’t have to bend over so far and would swallow less air that way. Now I read that the bowls should not be raise. I have been lucky and have not experienced this awful syndrome I hope I never do. How sad to see your pet that ill and not be able to help. I have s boxer and a golden(age13) so I know I am in danger of them having this happen. yikes.

  6. Just brought my 9 yr old lab to vet noticing bloat of belly. Vet gave her blood test and will know results tomorrow. She is still very alert, is still eating yet can tell a bit of just being off. Not lethargic at all and still so happy to see me when I get home. I have all family and friends praying that we caught this soon enough and the medication the vet gave her will keep her with us but it seemed like over night I noticed a difference. Thought she was just getting old and a bit over weight. My heart broke with the story of Judy and I am so sorry hon. I feel your pain honestly. Obviously your dog knew how much you loved them. I pray for you to find peace yet know its very hard…like losing a child. May the Lord grant you peace. I will let you all know what the outcome of my girl is and will comment. Please keep Kona in your prayers and thank you all for your time.

  7. Is it possible for torsion to occur as a complication of going under anesthesia on a full belly? My dog jumped off my bed and was fine for two days (meaning she was still eating and drinking and smiling) till I took her in to get an x-ray. The vet never said she would need to go under anesthesia for it and I had told them I have her a full breakfast plus her Carprofen medication. Shadow didn’t look right when I took her home and she never ate again. The next day she began vomiting and I took her in. She had a 106 temp and I was told she was dying. I know it was the anesthesia but they had done more x-rays and said that regardless of the anesthesia Shadow had torsion which required immediate surgery, of which they said she would not survive so I had to euthanize her. It haunts me to this day and that was exactly 19 months ago. I’d get some comfort in knowing she was possibly dying of this so called torsion prior to jumping off my bed and the anesthesia but the timing of it…not even 48 hours since undergoing anesthesia just doesn’t make sense to me. Lesson I learned is to always get a second opinion. I never should have let them put her under when she had just eaten breakfast 30 mins prior but we comply to doctors without questioning. The x-ray could have waited till later in the day or the next day when her stomach was empty. I’m praying that one day I can forgive myself. Thank you!

    • tara, im sorry for your loss. i lost my dog early morning the date of your post. as a nurse, the reason we want you to have an empty belly is because we dont want the food to get into the lungs. humans get torsion also, but i have never seen a torsion from anesthesia or surgery. torsion would kill her; did they tell you she had torsion before you took her home. that would not be normal. with torsion you dont have time for a second opinion; there is lack of blood supply to the bowel; its twisted. the gut is strangled and you have to do surgery immediately or put them down so they arent in pain. if a person is allergic to anesthesia they can have a severe and life threatening reaction, but its fast. you did nothing wrong . you did what you thought was best for your dog. is healthcare perfect- no. you must forgive yourself. the dog lives in the moment; the dog does not fear death and does not understand suffering.

  8. Just lost our 9 year old, 5 lb. Maltese. Always the picture of health. Suddenly had some symptoms of bloat…retching, restlessness, weakness. Walked stiffly..especially her rear legs. Front legs would collapse. No hard or distended stomach, though. Would retch especially after sleeping. Seemed to get better, then worse, cycling through 2 weeks of ups and downs. Would eat a little if hand fed, drank fine, and seemed to pee more than normal. Poop with more mucous, but no particularly loose stools. Blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, even a cat scan. Would get very weak and just collapse. She tried so hard to get better, but continued to lose strength. Spent a couple of nights in the hospital—which seemed to dishearten her. Vets at a loss as to a diagnosis. Never could figure out what was wrong. Put her to sleep holding her in my arms on April 13th. She was truly my best friend. My buddy…we bonded the day we met…and I am devastated. The grief is almost overwhelming. Over 7 grand in Vet bills, and am still researching why she declined so quickly.

  9. Last night (this morning), we lost our 6 year old Boxer, Bella. I had never heard of bloat before and did not know to look for any of these signs. We noticed she was a little “off” at 11pm but she was a nervous dog and often had nervous tummy aches. My husband and I had both been working from home since March, and we had to go back to our offices this week. We figured she just was a little upset that we were gone during the day, the past two days. She had gotten spoiled with us being home 24/7. Anyway, at bedtime, she was not showing any symptoms, other than she seemed a little tired. She woke us up panting, pacing and yelping in the middle of the night. We rushed her to the emergency vet, but she died in the car on the way there. It happened so fast! We had never heard of this before. We’re still in shock and unbelieving of what just happened. My sympathies to everyone else here who commented previously. As with everyone else who commented, our Bella was a loved family member, and our home will not be the same without her silly antics.

    • So sorry for your loss Jenni, just lost my beautiful healthy strong 8 year old German Shepard boy, he was acting a little weird at around 10 pm for his bedtime, but nothing to alarming, he was sitting in a spot that he never sat before, and was wheezing a little which he had done before so never thought to much of it, I had never heard of bloat so we never knew what symptoms to look our for, and he was panting a little, i thought he was just very tired.

      Woke up the next morning to find him passed away on his bed, he was such a strong healthy dog, and i thought someone had poisoned him, we are devastated as he was our gem and part of the family, I really do feel that not enough info is given from the Vets or Breeders about this atrocious thing that can happen to our dogs, hopefully this immense pain of loss gets better and hoping my gorgeous boy did not have to suffer to much on that night, the experience has been nothing short of tragic and wish it on nobody

  10. Hello everyone,
    We are 2 weeks post surgery for this awful condition, after watching our gorgeous 9 year old white GSD, go from a perfectly happy chap to critical in less than 40 minutes.
    It is only thanks to the speed of us getting him to the vet, and the expertise of his surgeon, that we still have our boy.
    Speaking to our own vet a week later, she told us she had NEVER seen a 9 Yr old GSD survive this surgery, and now you wouldn’t even know he’d had an op.
    If you have or buy a breed that’s prone to this, then educate yourself on prevention and treatment. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO IS GET YOUR DOG TO THE VET ASAP. That’s what saved Charlie.
    My sincere condolences to all of you who have lost your precious and loved family members too early, but treasure the years you had with them xxx

  11. “””The Purdue research found that “for both large- and giant-breed dogs, the risk of GDV was highest for dogs fed a larger volume of food once daily.”””””

    I have read the Purdue bloat research study and cannot find where it summarises or states this point, that feeding once a day increases GDV risk?????? Can you check please.