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Dog Health 101 - BLOAT- "CANINE EMERGENCY"
Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners have never heard of it. Bloat can occur in two forms: gastric dilatation (swelling of the stomach from gas); or, gastric dilatation with volvulus, i. e., torsion, which occurs when the stomach twists on its axis. Often, both forms of bloat occur in a single episode with the second form quickly following the first. When this happens, BLOAT is fatal in minutes.
 Symptoms
- Excessive salvation
- Extreme restlessness/pacing
- Unproductive attempts to vomit/defecate
- Evidence of abdominal pain
- Rapid breathing/panting
- Extreme swelling of the stomach
- Cold/pale mouth membranes
Risk Factors
- Using a raised food bowl - 110% risk increase associated with using a raised food bowl.
- Speed of eating - 15% risk increase for each unit increase in speed of eating. (for dogs weighing 49-100 lbs)
- Chest depth/width ratio (1.0 to 2.4) - 170% risk increase for each unit increase in chest depth/width ratio.
- Age in years - 20% risk increase for each year increase in age.
- First degree relative with BLOAT - 63% risk increase associated with having a first degree relative with BLOAT.
Tips for Prevention
- Raised food bowls:
- There is controversy whether raised food bowls actually aids in a dog's digestion and prevents bloat. Some studies found that a raised bowl feeder actually increases the risk of bloat 110%.
- Approximately 20-50% of bloat cases were attributed to a raised food bowl.
- Gulping food:
- Air ingestion causes gas that may in turn cause the dog to bloat
- When dogs gulp food, they ingest air with the food
- Especially in the case of dogs that weigh more than 49 lbs.
- Feed multiple meals:
- Studies have shown that feeding in the morning and evening greatly reduces the risks of bloat.
- Exercise after eating:
- Allow at least 1 1/2 hour of rest after eating.
- The worst activity a dog can do after eating is rolling onto its back.
- Changing food:
- It is extremely important to introduce new food slowly; it can take several weeks for a dog to adapt.
- New food not introduced slowly can cause extreme gas in the stomach and in some cases bloat.
IMPORTANT
- With BLOAT, the disease progresses in minutes or, at most, hours. The only treatment is emergency medical attention. In its two advanced forms, the only treatment is surgery.
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