BLOAT (GDV) INFO

Hello everyone! This is Truck's Mom. Today I just want to share some information on an important subject: Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) also known as Bloat. It is the number one killer of Great Danes. Truck is going to be having a procedure done next month called Gastropexy. Please read and share with fellow dog parents!


BLOAT
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is also known as "bloat," "stomach torsion," or "twisted stomach." Bloat is an extremely serious condition, and should be considered a life-threatening emergency when it occurs.
The gastric dilatation is one part of the condition and the volvulus or torsion is the second part. In bloat (dilatation), due to a number of different and sometimes unknown reasons, the stomach fills up with air and puts pressure on the other organs and diaphragm. The pressure on the diaphragm makes it difficult for the dog to breathe. The air-filled stomach also compresses large veins in the abdomen, thus preventing blood from returning to the heart. Filled with air, the stomach can easily rotate on itself, thus pinching off its blood supply. Once this rotation (volvulus) occurs and the blood supply is cut off, the stomach begins to die and the entire blood supply is disrupted and the animal's condition begins to deteriorate very rapidly.

THE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF BLOAT
The most obvious signs are abdominal distention (swollen belly) and nonproductive vomiting (animal appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up) and retching. Other signs include restlessness, abdominal pain, and rapid shallow breathing. Profuse salivation may indicate severe pain. If the dog's condition continues to deteriorate, especially if volvulus has occurred, the dog may go into shock and become pale, have a weak pulse, a rapid heart rate, and eventually collapse. A dog with gastric dilatation without volvulus can show all of these signs, but the more severe signs are likely to occur in dogs with both dilatation and volvulus.

GASTROPEXY
A procedure called a gastropexy can be done to tack the right side of the stomach to the right side of the body wall using minimally invasive surgery. Truck will be having this procedure done in September.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF SUSCEPTIBLE BREEDS:
1. Great Dane
2. Saint Bernard
3. Weimaraner
4. Irish Setter
5. Gordon Setter
6. Standard Poodle
7. Basset Hound
8. Doberman Pinscher
9. Old English Sheepdog
10. German Shorthaired Pointer
11. Newfoundland
12. German Shepherd
13. Airedale Terrier
14. Alaskan Malamute
15. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
16. Boxer
17. Collie
18. Labrador Retriever
19. English Springer Spaniel
20. Samoyed
21. Dachshund
22. Golden Retriever
23. Rottweiler
24. Mixed
25. Miniature Poodle

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN HOPES TO MAKE PET PARENTS MORE AWARE OF THIS CONDITION AND SAVE OUR FURRY BEST FRIENDS!!

Thanks for reading!!