In April 2015, Merry Pets sadly lost one of our beloved Merry pack mates, Charlie, to bloat. This condition, also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GVD), came on quickly and took Charlie, a healthy dog who loved hiking and playing with his brother, Rocco, within hours. We miss Charlie, and we want to keep our other pack mates safe from suffering from bloat (which the ASPCA says kills 25% to 40% of dogs), so we’re sharing the signs to watch for in order to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes bloat, but according to WebMD, it can happen just after your dog eats a large meal, drinks a lot of water after eating or performs brisk exercise before or after eating. Any dog can develop bloat, but middle-age and older dogs, as well as large breed dogs with deep chests are more prone to develop this condition.
Bloat can progress rapidly, so watch for the following signs and bring your dog to the vet immediately if he shows:
Bloated stomach or abdomen
Cool body temperature
Fast heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Salivating excessively
Pale gums
Weakness or collapsing
Vomiting or belching without production
Print out this list of 24-hour veterinary clinics around the Wasatch Front in case of emergency. Getting your dog to the vet at the first sign of bloat is the best way to keep him or her healthy.
Charlie, a Merry pack mate, passed away from bloat in April 2014. Know the signs of bloat to keep your dog from developing this often fatal condition.