For those of you who have dealt with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), I do not have to tell you how scary it is. This serious health condition, also referred to as bloat, results from a dog's stomach filling with gas and/or food and expanding, then twisting. It is painful and extremely life-threatening.
Most owners of large and giant breed dogs like the Great Dane have heard of GDV. While this condition is most common in bigger dogs, it can technically happen to any dog. Be sure you know the warning signs of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus and how to proceed if your dog is affected. Every minute counts!
Have you had a dog with bloat? Please share your story with readers like you.
Image courtesy of Georgia Veterinary Specialists
Comments
We had a 16 month old Shar-pei that gor the bloat, naturally on a Sat.; so all local vets were closed, the closest was an hours drive and when my wife got there the vet just thumped the dog on the stomach and literally did nothing for her except charge us $245. and wrapped her dead body in a plastic bag. We got another Shar-pei that lived over 8 years and we tried hard not to let her overeat or drink too much water. One minute she was playing like a puppy and suddenly had the bloat; again on a Sat. so once again we did the hour drive, this time it was a different vet and their team did everything they could, but too much time had passed and she died. But the vet & team were very compassionate. Once again a big bill, but it was justified, they tried their best. Just hard to believe that just an hour before, the dog had been acting like a puppy. So sad! I still cry about her and miss her.
We have a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog that bloated August 2010. I knew the signs,he was very unsettled,walking in circles with an arched back,and his stomach was kind of distended and very hard.Of course it was after hours, but we have an emergency vets office about 10 minutes away.My husband drove through red lights while I was in the back with our boy who was flailing in the back of the suv.They xrayed him and opperated right away.Thanks to Dr. Mark Huber of Pets Emergency in Lancaster Pa, and Dr. Stephanie Herr of Smoketown VCA,we still have our boy Fritz.