Bloat and the Alaskan Malamute
Bloat is a gastrointestinal disease primarily affecting large and giant breeds of dogs and has a mortality rate of approximately thirty-percent. It is a rapidly progressing disease that can occur at any time, and requires immediate medical attention.
In brief, the stomach distends and rotates for reasons as yet unknown. The distended, rotated stomach compresses two large veins located in the abdominal cavity that return large volumes of blood to the heart for re-circulation through the body. When this venous return to the heart is reduced in bloat, the heart does not pump a normal volume of blood to the body tissues. Therefore, body cells are deprived of normal amounts of oxygen and nutrients. Body functions begin to fail. The patient goes into shock and this requires immediate treatment.
Bloat is also known as canine gastric dilation -- volvulus (CGDV), gastric rotation, gastric torsion, or gastric distention. Actually, the term "bloat" has been applied to two different clinical findings that are probably part of the same disease process.
Bloat with a distended and rotated stomach requires surgery as part of the treatment. Bloat with a distended stomach that is not rotated may not require immediate surgery. The clinical signs of each type of bloat are identical, and each can cause rapid death. The distinction between the bloat types is made on x-ray evaluation of the stomach and not by clinical examination alone.
The specific cause(s) for bloat have not yet been determined. Theories include: various factors contributing to the abnormal anatomy and/or function of the stomach; various types of dog foods; eating and drinking large volumes of food and water before or after periods of exercise; and body conformation. Genetics may play an important role. A combination of factors may be involved.
The symptoms consist of anxiety, complete disinterest in food, frequent attempts to vomit without regurgitating stomach contents but only froth, a rapidly distending abdomen, dog looking at its abdomen, laboured breathing, stilted gait, an arched back and, in extreme cases, brick red, blue, grey or white gums, a rapid heart beat with a weak pulse, and finally prostration.
The clinical signs can begin suddenly, at any time, and may progress rapidly to coma and death. A perfectly normal dog may be dead from this disease as soon as two to three hours after the onset of clinical signs. The earlier a patient is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances are for survival. If bloat is suspected, it is imperative the dog is examined by a veterinarian immediately.
Bloat symptoms can be divided into three stages with corresponding immediacy. When bloat is suspected, determine the stage of bloat by performing the following procedures and referring to the chart:
1. Note the colour of the gums. If the dog's gums are pink to red and, when you press them firmly with your index finger and let go, the colour returns immediately, then your dog is normal or is only mildly affected with bloat. If, however, the colour is brick red, grey, blue, or white and, when you press on the gums with your index finger, the colour returns slowly or not at all, then you have an emergency situation on your hands. If the other signs of bloat are present, you have no time to lose.
2. Determine the heart rate (resting heart rate). To take the pulse of a dog, you must press your index and middle fingers inside the animal's hind leg just below where it joins the body. If you feel carefully, you will feel a cord-like structure at this location on the inside of the thighbone called the femoral artery, and yo will be able to note the rate and strength of the pulse in this artery.
3. Note rapidity of distention of abdomen.
Call your veterinary hospital, advise the doctor of the symptoms and seek immediate advice.
THE THREE STAGES OF BLOAT
Stage 1 Bloat: Immediately transport dog to veterinarian without applying first aid.
Symptoms:
Stage 2 Bloat: If veterinary help is more than 10 minutes away, pass a stomach tube, if possible.
Symptoms:
Stage 3 Bloat: Apply emergency procedures immediately.
Symptoms:
Unfortunately, many multiple dog owners live in remote areas where immediate veterinary care is impossible. In these cases, you must weigh the urgency of the situation carefully and, if necessary, perform emergency care yourself. Emergency bloat procedures involve first attempting to pass a stomach tube and, if this is not accomplished quickly, your dog must be trocharized immediately. Both of these procedures attempt to release the excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach. Trocharizing your dog involves direct penetration of the abdomen and stomach with a trochar (a hollow screwlike instrument) and is a life saving technique in the final stage of bloat.
A first aid manual describing these techniques in detail, including diagrams, is available from Dr. F.S. Jacobs DVM, c/o Willits Animals Hospital, 19612 Hwy 101, Willits, California 95490. Also available is a "bloat kit" which includes; stethoscope, gauze roll, mouth gag, K.Y. jelly, stomach tube, antiseptic swabs, trochar and scalpel blade. Anyone housing numbers of large dogs should have this manual and kit on hand, especially if you are at a considerable distance from veterinary assistance. As a precaution, owners should also have Gas-X or Phazyme on hand and use it if their dog is particularly agitated and they hear gurgling noises in the stomach.
Prevention of BloatThere are several predisposing causes of bloat in dogs, and several things can be done to aid in the prevention of its occurrence. Although these are not guarantees to prevent your dog from bloating, they may be helpful in decreasing risk.
a) Feed foods which have little or no vegetable protein, as these foods cause gas formation through fermentation.
b) Feed dry foods that do not expand when they are mixed with water.
c) Feed your dog two to three small meals a day instead of one large meal.
d) Do not allow large intakes of water immediately after a meal.
e) Do not allow vigorous exercise for one hour before, or two to three hours after the dog has eaten.
f) Owners of high-risk dogs should be encouraged to discuss the pros and cons of prophylactic gastropexy (tacking the stomach) and drug treatment (e.g. anti-gas medications) with their veterinarians.
g) Avoid undue stress or monitor your dog closely when stressful conditions are unavoidable.
Bloat Facts
The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine has conducted many studies on the subject of bloat in dogs as part of its Canine Gastric Dilation-Volvulus Program. Ongoing studies have developed some interesting facts regarding this silent killer:
Increasing age increased risk. Dogs greater than seven years old were at least twice as likely to have bloat as dogs two to four years old.
Sex and neuter status (intact vs. neutered) were not associated with bloat risk.
Increasing adult weight of the breed, based on breed standards, was a significant risk factor.
Body weight (e.g. obesity) is less important than breed weight as a risk factor.
Body conformation, particularly a narrow and deep thoracic cavity, influences the risk of bloat.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Canine Gastric Dilation - Volvulus Program, School of Veterinary Medicine Purdue University, West Lafayette, In 47907-1243, Phone (765) 494-6301.
References
LT Glickman et al,: Veterinary PreViews, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 10-13, 1995
J Jacobs-Knoll, DVM: AMCA Newsletter, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 44-46, January 1997
V Jones, AMCA Newsletter, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 10-11, April, 1997
GC Lantz, DVM: Bloat Notes, Issue 93-2, pp. 3,4, 1993
Siegfried Zahn, DVM: First Aid Manual; Bloat in Large Dogs, pp. 1-17 Univelt Inc. 1983
Risk Factors for Canine Bloat
http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=TUFTSBG2003&PID=5091&O=Generic
Dog Bloat Symptoms
http://dogsymptomsofillness.net/2009/02/12/dog-bloat-symptoms-are-very-serious/
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus
http://mirage-samoyeds.com/bloat.htm
Canine Bloat
http://www.breedersusa.com/canine_bloat_GDV.html
In brief, the stomach distends and rotates for reasons as yet unknown. The distended, rotated stomach compresses two large veins located in the abdominal cavity that return large volumes of blood to the heart for re-circulation through the body. When this venous return to the heart is reduced in bloat, the heart does not pump a normal volume of blood to the body tissues. Therefore, body cells are deprived of normal amounts of oxygen and nutrients. Body functions begin to fail. The patient goes into shock and this requires immediate treatment.
Bloat is also known as canine gastric dilation -- volvulus (CGDV), gastric rotation, gastric torsion, or gastric distention. Actually, the term "bloat" has been applied to two different clinical findings that are probably part of the same disease process.
Bloat with a distended and rotated stomach requires surgery as part of the treatment. Bloat with a distended stomach that is not rotated may not require immediate surgery. The clinical signs of each type of bloat are identical, and each can cause rapid death. The distinction between the bloat types is made on x-ray evaluation of the stomach and not by clinical examination alone.
The specific cause(s) for bloat have not yet been determined. Theories include: various factors contributing to the abnormal anatomy and/or function of the stomach; various types of dog foods; eating and drinking large volumes of food and water before or after periods of exercise; and body conformation. Genetics may play an important role. A combination of factors may be involved.
The symptoms consist of anxiety, complete disinterest in food, frequent attempts to vomit without regurgitating stomach contents but only froth, a rapidly distending abdomen, dog looking at its abdomen, laboured breathing, stilted gait, an arched back and, in extreme cases, brick red, blue, grey or white gums, a rapid heart beat with a weak pulse, and finally prostration.
The clinical signs can begin suddenly, at any time, and may progress rapidly to coma and death. A perfectly normal dog may be dead from this disease as soon as two to three hours after the onset of clinical signs. The earlier a patient is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances are for survival. If bloat is suspected, it is imperative the dog is examined by a veterinarian immediately.
Bloat symptoms can be divided into three stages with corresponding immediacy. When bloat is suspected, determine the stage of bloat by performing the following procedures and referring to the chart:
1. Note the colour of the gums. If the dog's gums are pink to red and, when you press them firmly with your index finger and let go, the colour returns immediately, then your dog is normal or is only mildly affected with bloat. If, however, the colour is brick red, grey, blue, or white and, when you press on the gums with your index finger, the colour returns slowly or not at all, then you have an emergency situation on your hands. If the other signs of bloat are present, you have no time to lose.
2. Determine the heart rate (resting heart rate). To take the pulse of a dog, you must press your index and middle fingers inside the animal's hind leg just below where it joins the body. If you feel carefully, you will feel a cord-like structure at this location on the inside of the thighbone called the femoral artery, and yo will be able to note the rate and strength of the pulse in this artery.
3. Note rapidity of distention of abdomen.
Call your veterinary hospital, advise the doctor of the symptoms and seek immediate advice.
THE THREE STAGES OF BLOAT
Stage 1 Bloat: Immediately transport dog to veterinarian without applying first aid.
Symptoms:
- Anxiety, restlessness and panting.
- Colour of gums normal.
- Retching saliva but no stomach contents every 10 to 20 minutes.
- Heart rate up to 75 BPM.
- Moderately enlarged abdomen with a watermelon sound when thumped.
Stage 2 Bloat: If veterinary help is more than 10 minutes away, pass a stomach tube, if possible.
Symptoms:
- Severe restlessness with reluctance to lie down.
- Panting continuously.
- Gums brick red.
- Vomiting is attempted frequently (every two or three minutes).
- Heart rate 80 to 100 BPM.
- Abdomen enlarged and tense; sounding hollow when thumped.
Stage 3 Bloat: Apply emergency procedures immediately.
Symptoms:
- Dog unable to rise or is wobbly or has a sawhorse stance.
- Gums are grey, blue or white.
- Heart rate greater than 100 BPM, with little pulse.
- Abdomen is greatly distended, often distending before your eyes.
Unfortunately, many multiple dog owners live in remote areas where immediate veterinary care is impossible. In these cases, you must weigh the urgency of the situation carefully and, if necessary, perform emergency care yourself. Emergency bloat procedures involve first attempting to pass a stomach tube and, if this is not accomplished quickly, your dog must be trocharized immediately. Both of these procedures attempt to release the excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach. Trocharizing your dog involves direct penetration of the abdomen and stomach with a trochar (a hollow screwlike instrument) and is a life saving technique in the final stage of bloat.
A first aid manual describing these techniques in detail, including diagrams, is available from Dr. F.S. Jacobs DVM, c/o Willits Animals Hospital, 19612 Hwy 101, Willits, California 95490. Also available is a "bloat kit" which includes; stethoscope, gauze roll, mouth gag, K.Y. jelly, stomach tube, antiseptic swabs, trochar and scalpel blade. Anyone housing numbers of large dogs should have this manual and kit on hand, especially if you are at a considerable distance from veterinary assistance. As a precaution, owners should also have Gas-X or Phazyme on hand and use it if their dog is particularly agitated and they hear gurgling noises in the stomach.
Prevention of BloatThere are several predisposing causes of bloat in dogs, and several things can be done to aid in the prevention of its occurrence. Although these are not guarantees to prevent your dog from bloating, they may be helpful in decreasing risk.
a) Feed foods which have little or no vegetable protein, as these foods cause gas formation through fermentation.
b) Feed dry foods that do not expand when they are mixed with water.
c) Feed your dog two to three small meals a day instead of one large meal.
d) Do not allow large intakes of water immediately after a meal.
e) Do not allow vigorous exercise for one hour before, or two to three hours after the dog has eaten.
f) Owners of high-risk dogs should be encouraged to discuss the pros and cons of prophylactic gastropexy (tacking the stomach) and drug treatment (e.g. anti-gas medications) with their veterinarians.
g) Avoid undue stress or monitor your dog closely when stressful conditions are unavoidable.
Bloat Facts
The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine has conducted many studies on the subject of bloat in dogs as part of its Canine Gastric Dilation-Volvulus Program. Ongoing studies have developed some interesting facts regarding this silent killer:
Increasing age increased risk. Dogs greater than seven years old were at least twice as likely to have bloat as dogs two to four years old.
Sex and neuter status (intact vs. neutered) were not associated with bloat risk.
Increasing adult weight of the breed, based on breed standards, was a significant risk factor.
Body weight (e.g. obesity) is less important than breed weight as a risk factor.
Body conformation, particularly a narrow and deep thoracic cavity, influences the risk of bloat.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Canine Gastric Dilation - Volvulus Program, School of Veterinary Medicine Purdue University, West Lafayette, In 47907-1243, Phone (765) 494-6301.
References
LT Glickman et al,: Veterinary PreViews, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 10-13, 1995
J Jacobs-Knoll, DVM: AMCA Newsletter, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 44-46, January 1997
V Jones, AMCA Newsletter, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 10-11, April, 1997
GC Lantz, DVM: Bloat Notes, Issue 93-2, pp. 3,4, 1993
Siegfried Zahn, DVM: First Aid Manual; Bloat in Large Dogs, pp. 1-17 Univelt Inc. 1983
Risk Factors for Canine Bloat
http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=TUFTSBG2003&PID=5091&O=Generic
Dog Bloat Symptoms
http://dogsymptomsofillness.net/2009/02/12/dog-bloat-symptoms-are-very-serious/
Gastric Dilation and Volvulus
http://mirage-samoyeds.com/bloat.htm
Canine Bloat
http://www.breedersusa.com/canine_bloat_GDV.html