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BLOAT IN DOGS*, in vet terms, it’s Gastric Dilation This serious problem is seen mostly in the larger dog breeds (especially
the Great Dane, St. Bernard and Borzoi). Its cause is unknown, though veterinarians have found it to
be linked with the feeding of commercial foods (especially large meals of
concentrated dry forms of food). It
occurs most often
in dogs between the ages of
two and 10 years, and most often at night. The symptoms of the condition are that approximately two to six hours
after eating, the stomach (upper abdominal area) gets enlarged with liquid and
gas and sometimes feels like a tight drum.
Most often, you will notice excessive salivation, drooling, unsuccessful
attempts to vomit, extreme restlessness and discomfort, desperate attempts to
eat grass and, eventually, weakness
and collapse. This is an emergency situation because the increased pressure on the
walls of the stomach causes fluids to leak in from the blood with consequent
dehydration, shock and possible death in a few hours. Another complication is that the stomach
can rotate
on itself - in
a condition called volvulus - and the twisting can completely block entry
into or exit from the organ. Immediate
surgery is required in this instance. Prevention: Feeding a natural,
home-prepared diet seems to be the best way to avert such problems.
Feed two or three small meals a day instead of a single one. Especially avoid feeding dry food or concentrated foods that will absorb
water after they are eaten. The dog
will eat more than its capacity, and when the food becomes distended with water,
the total weight of the food is greatly increased.
This can prevent the stomach
from its natural emptying and also increase the chance of the stomach twisting
around and blocking the movement of food out of it. Regular exercise which strengthens the muscles and “massages” the
stomach and bowels is extremely helpful. Treatment: When bloat first occurs,
it is rather sudden and can be shocking. Sometimes
the only thing noticed is that the dog is restless and desperately eating grass.
If you look closely, you may see that the animal’s belly is larger than
normal, distended with gas. Get to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the condition is one of just
stomach dilation,
it can
be temporarily relieved at the hospital by passing a tube into the
stomach. However, the condition tends to recur. Each time the attack comes on sooner and with more severity.
Eventually the animal is put to sleep because of the apparent
hopelessness of the situation and the high cost of repeated medical measures. If there is also volvulus, then surgery must be done to straighten out
the twisted stomach and allow open passages in and out.
The stomach wall is also “tacked down” by suturing it to the inside
of the abdominal wall to prevent it from twisting in the future. There may be times when you cannot get veterinary service immediately; further the condition tends to recur and you will become aware of early signs. If you can intervene with treatment soon enough, it is possible to head off an attack. However, it is important to remember that these treatments should never be considered a substitute for veterinary attention.
One of the easiest and most available herbal treatments is freshly made raw cabbage juice as an effective treatment at the beginning of bloat. *"This article is provided for information only, not written by PSPS." *Reference Source: Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats |
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