Everything about gastric torsion (bloat) in dogs
A gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is every dog owner's nightmare. It is a condition that is very painful for the dog and can even be fatal if not treated quickly. That’s why in this blog we explain everything about gastric torsion in dogs so you can reduce the risk of your dog developing this condition.
What exactly is gastric torsion in a dog?
The stomach of a dog is located between the esophagus and the small intestine. In gastric torsion, the stomach twists around its axis, blocking both the entrance and exit of the stomach. This means nothing can enter or leave the stomach. Additionally, the blood vessels are compressed, causing the entire body to receive too little oxygen, with serious consequences. Because the stomach is closed off, gases cannot escape, causing the stomach to swell further. This prevents the diaphragm from moving properly and weakens breathing. As a result, even less oxygen is transported through the body, which can eventually cause tissues and organs to die. Obviously, you want to prevent this, so quick action is crucial!
What are the causes of gastric torsion in a dog?
The exact cause of gastric torsion is unknown. However, it is a fact that gastric torsion mainly occurs in large dog breeds (with a deep chest). It appears that gastric torsion can be hereditary since it occurs much more frequently in certain breeds than in others. In addition, there are several factors that can increase the risk of gastric torsion in dogs, such as:
- Eating too much food at once
- Eating too quickly/scarfing down food
- Exercise shortly after a meal
- Stress
What symptoms can help you recognize gastric torsion in a dog?
We probably don’t need to explain that it is important to recognize gastric torsion in a dog quickly. Only then is the chance greatest that the dog will recover well. We have therefore listed the symptoms of gastric torsion in a dog below:
- The dog has a swollen belly due to the enlarged stomach (this is especially visible on the left side just behind the ribs)
- Retching and excessive drooling
- Pale mucous membranes
- Restlessness and absent-mindedness
- The dog becomes lethargic and goes into shock, possibly with signs of hypothermia
- Irregular heart rhythms
How is gastric torsion in a dog treated?
As soon as the veterinarian is involved, treatment for gastric torsion will begin as quickly as possible. In this case, every second counts. The vet will immediately start an intravenous drip to stabilize blood pressure. The dog will also receive pain relief because the extreme swelling of the stomach is very painful and can cause the dog to go into shock. The stomach must be emptied and untwisted as soon as possible. This is done by inserting a tube or by puncturing the stomach. In many cases, inserting a tube is not possible because the esophagus is also compressed by the torsion. In such cases, air is released from the stomach by puncturing it. After this, the stomach must be surgically untwisted. Once the stomach is back in its proper position, the spleen is checked. The spleen is attached to the stomach and twists along with it. When the stomach is correctly positioned and the other organs have been checked, the stomach is attached to the abdominal wall to prevent the torsion from happening again. The stomach is secured on the lower right side to the right abdominal wall.
How can you prevent gastric torsion in a dog?
Unfortunately, gastric torsion can never be completely prevented, but you can significantly reduce the risk by feeding your dog several small meals a day instead of one or two large portions. It is also important that the dog experiences no stress and no physical exertion around mealtime. For large breeds such as Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dobermans, and other large breeds, it may be worth considering preventive stomach fixation, for example, at the same time as spaying or neutering. This can prevent a lot of trouble.
