Bloat in dogs is Scary, Can you help?

  • By: Mick Whitefield
  • Time to read: 7 min.

Bloat in Dogs is scary and can be a very serious condition. The stomach expands abnormally due to gas, fluid or food. This in turn can cause pressure on the heart and other vital organs.

At the same time it may also twist the gut which then prevents blood circulating to and from the vital organs.

Here we discuss the symptoms, causes and solutions you can use to help with bloat in your dog.

The Symptoms of Bloat

While there are some clear signs, it’s important to note that not all dogs will exhibit all of the signs and symptoms described below.

Some of the symptoms may not always be easy to see and you will most likely find a mixture of some of these signs together as opposed to any on their own. 

A Lap Dog with Hard Distended Stomach – Bloated

Bloat in Dogs, Symptoms.

  • Hard, distended, swollen, or bloated abdomen.
  • Unproductive retching (trying to vomit, but nothing is coming up).
  • Pacing and restlessness.
  • Excessive saliva (Drooling).
  • Standing with the neck extended and elbows pointed outward, possibly attempting to retch but being unsuccessful.
  • Stretching with the front half down, rear end up (constant).
  • Heavy, fast, or difficult breathing.
  • Rapid pulse and heart rate.
  • Pale mucus membranes (lift the lip to see the gums).
  • Looking anxiously at you.
  • Looking at and licking their stomach.
  • Collapse.

Also referred to as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), bloat in dogs is a complex medical situation and will likely require emergency treatment, possibly surgical.

Bloating is when a dog’s stomach expands and swells unnaturally because of
GAS
FLUID
or FOOD.

The swollen belly puts unhealthy pressure on other internal body organs. 

In some instances, the stomach will twist or rotate (the GDV complex).

The stomach traps blood by creating pressure points on arteries and veins and prevents it from circulating back to the heart or reaching other parts of the body.

If the condition reaches this stage it can cause Gastric Dilatation Volvulus which can send a dog into shock.

Bloat can be a life-threatening emergency for your dog and could simply be caused by your dog overeating a food source.

Knowing the causes and signs of bloating could save your dog’s life.

Bloat in Dogs – Causes

Extremely painful, the exact cause of bloating in dogs is still debated because there can be more than one cause.

There are several factors that may predispose your dog or trigger a case of bloating such as listed below.  

Predispositions may be –

  • Being deep-chested – Big breeds such as the Great Dane, Weimaraner, and St. Bernard.
  • Dogs that weigh over 99 pounds have a tendency to be at more risk.
  • History of bloat/GDV in the dog’s family.
  • Your Dog is always nervous .
  • Your dog is continually stressed.

Then add in the following possible additions

  • Feeding the dog one single meal a day.
  • Eating from over elevated food bowls.
  • Eating very fast (Gulping).
  • Heavy exercise after eating.
  • Being older, (7-12 years old are more prone) although dogs as young as 2 years can get bloat. 

Bloat in Dogs, other possible causes

Peritonitis is another possible cause of bloating in dogs.

This is a serious infection that’s usually caused by a rupture or puncture of your dog’s intestine or stomach lining due to tumours, ulcers, splinters from a bone, or other similar causes. 

A pot-bellied look in a dog could mean he has Cushing’s syndrome or Hyperadrenocorticism, a medical condition triggered by the overproduction of a hormone known as cortisol.

Ascites is the accumulation of abdomen fluid and also leads to swelling, externally looking very similar to bloat in dogs but has differing complications.

A swollen stomach in puppies might look like bloating but may be due to a severe roundworm infection.

Very underweight and overweight dogs are also vulnerable to bloating if you add in some of the previously discussed problems.

Regardless of how Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) happens, it’s a terrible situation for your pet.

Eventually, the stomach becomes distended with gas putting pressure on the diaphragm. That can cause severe breathing problems.

Moreover, the pressure cuts off the return flow of blood to the heart. 

See how the stomach is causing pressure to the other intestinal organs, when the stomach distends far enough it can affect the heart and lungs also.

The extreme pressure can cause delicate internal tissue to die which weakens the lining and can lead to ruptures in the stomach.

Sometimes, the spleen twists together with the stomach, also resulting in damage to splenic tissues.

If you suspect your four-legged friend has bloat, get him to a veterinarian immediately as there is not much you can do to help your dog at home.

The first action your vet is likely to take is release the gas and air build-up inside the stomach.

This stops the stomach tissue from dying and takes off the pressure from the surrounding organs.

Although this can be achieved using a stomach pump and tube, sometimes surgery is needed.

At the same time, the dog will need intravenous fluids to reverse the systemic shock, slow down the heart rate, and prevent heart failure.

This is why simply making the dog sick is not a wise move.

Often, antibiotics, painkillers, and medication that correct the deprivation of blood to the heart may be required.

X-rays and other diagnostic medical tests may be necessary to determine if the dog’s stomach has twisted.

Once stabilized, the dog may need surgery (gastropexy) to repair the stomach damage.

This will also involve removing any dying or dead tissue because the blood supply was cut off by bloat. 

Dogs that have previously suffered from bloat have a high risk of further attacks. Therefore, during the gastropexy surgery, vets will typically fix the stomach to the body wall so that it won’t twist again in the future.

Solutions for Bloat in Dogs

Bloat in Dogs – Home Treatment?

Except in very mild cases, bloat is not a condition to treat at home, prevention is your best attempt to treat this at home.

If your dog is of a nervous disposition then this may contribute to this condition in which case you could use some calming tablets, liquids or capsules.

If you are looking for a holistic approach then CBD dog treats could be a perfect match to help your dog whilst rewarding them for good behaviour.

Bloat in Dogs, Prevention

Preventing bloat in dogs is not straightforward, as many factors may play a role in causing it.

However, several things can be done to reduce the risk of bloat.

If your dog is a fast eater, you can put some preventative measures in place such as using slow feeder bowls or feeding your dog 2 or 3 times a day as opposed to once a day.

The Solution for Fast Eaters

The rate of eating also contributes because fast eaters have a higher risk than slow eating dogs.

Consider using anti-gulp feeding bowls with centre posts (fingers) or placing large stones in the bowl to physically slow down the eating.

Alternatively take a look at the product page at

Amazon for Anti Gulp Bowls

Anti Gulp bowls will slow down fast eaters

Take a look on Amazon here to see the wide variety available

Do not feed your dog just once a day

Feeding your dog one meal a day is twice as likely to cause bloat as providing two meals a day. Feed your dog with several portions scattered throughout the day, 2 or 3 times a day will help.

If you are not there to feed them more than once a day then try using dry food from a dispenser

Make Water Available

The dog must have access to drinking water particularly if you are feeding dry foods such as kibble.

Water and Food Dispensers are available here

Rest After Eating

Ensure the dog rests after a meal; no strenuous exercise should take place on a full stomach.

Give them an hour after eating before you go walking or preferably exercise before feeding.

Separate any Nervous or Stressed Dogs

Dogs that are Hyperactive or are highly strung are more likely to suffer from bloating.

Try and reduce any stress and anxiety, particularly before and during feeding time.

It may help reduce stress and anxiety surrounding feeding time by separating your dogs when they are fed.

Fearful and unhappy dogs are more likely to bloat.

This really is an area where you could use a calming food additive such as drops in the food or chews such as those available at Holistapet.

Other useful Information for Bloat

A recent preventive trend is to perform a gastropexy on at-risk dogs.

Often, the surgical procedure is done when a dog is sterilized. To reduce the level of invasiveness, some veterinarians are now doing the procedure laparoscopically.

This surgical approach’s challenge lies in determining which dogs are at a high risk to warrant the surgery. 

GDV or Bloat ranks high among the most serious non-traumatic medical conditions seen in dogs.

Even in relatively uncomplicated cases, the mortality rate is still high for GDV.

If you think your dog might be suffering, talk to your vet.

If bloating is suspected and you want to explore ways of preventing it, consult your veterinarian about the available options. 

The primary line of defence is not limited to preventive surgery as less invasive approaches might be better for your dog.

Your vet will help you determine the most suitable treatment line or a combination of treatment techniques for your dog.

Maintaining a healthy diet and weight and regular exercise are also an essential part of prevention.

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