What is bloat (GDV)?
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Quick answer
Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is when a dog's stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off its blood supply. It mainly affects large and giant deep-chested breeds. Unproductive retching, a swelling belly, drooling and restlessness are the signs. It is a surgical emergency that can kill within hours.
Also called GDV, bloat, gastric dilatation-volvulus, gastric dilation and volvulus, twisted stomach, gastric torsion.
Key facts
- Early signs are unproductive retching, drooling and restlessness; the belly may swell and the dog can collapse. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Breeds at risk include the Great Dane, German Shepherd, Saint Bernard, Weimaraner, Standard Poodle, setters and Basset Hound. Merck Veterinary Manual
- Risk factors include a deep, narrow chest, a close relative with GDV, older age, one large meal a day and eating fast. Merck Veterinary Manual
- ACVS reports mortality of about 15%, higher when signs have lasted more than 6 hours; Merck gives 20 to 45% in treated dogs. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
- A preventive gastropexy, often done at the time of spay or neuter, should prevent the life-threatening twist. Merck Veterinary Manual
What are the signs of bloat in a dog?
Treat any of these in a large, deep-chested dog as an emergency. Do not wait to see whether it passes.
If Trying to vomit again and again but bringing nothing up
Go to a 24-hour vet now. This is the classic early sign. Merck Veterinary Manual
If A belly that looks swollen or feels tight like a drum
Go now and phone ahead so the team can prepare. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
If Drooling, restlessness, pacing, stretching or an anxious look
Watch for retching and swelling, and call the vet at once if they appear. American College of Veterinary Surgeons
If Panting, weakness, pale gums or collapse
The dog may be going into shock. Get to the nearest emergency vet immediately. Merck Veterinary Manual
Why is bloat so dangerous?
When the stomach twists, gas and fluid cannot escape and the blood supply to the stomach, and often the spleen, is cut off. The dog can quickly go into shock, with a fast heart, weak pulse and pale gums. Parts of the stomach wall can die.
The vet first stabilises the dog with fluids and oxygen and lets the gas out of the stomach, then operates to untwist it, check for damaged tissue and fix the stomach to the body wall so it cannot twist again. ACVS notes that outcomes are worse when signs have lasted more than 6 hours, so speed matters more than anything else.
Which dogs get bloat?
Nearly any breed can, but large and giant breeds with deep chests are most at risk. Among breeds common in Indian homes, the German Shepherd, Great Dane and Saint Bernard are on Merck's list of breeds at risk. Genetics are a proven factor: a dog whose parent or sibling had GDV is at higher risk.
Other factors linked to GDV are older age, a lean body, a stressed or fearful temperament, one large meal a day, eating quickly and a diet of dry food only. None of these is a cause on its own.
Can bloat be prevented?
For at-risk breeds, many vet surgeons recommend a preventive gastropexy: an operation that fixes the stomach to the body wall. It can often be done during a spay or neuter, sometimes by keyhole surgery. Merck notes it does not stop the stomach filling with gas but should prevent the twist that makes bloat deadly. Ask your vet whether it suits your dog. Splitting food into two or more smaller meals a day is a simple step that removes one known risk factor.
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Questions owners ask
How quickly can bloat kill a dog?
- Within hours. Once the stomach twists, its blood supply is cut off and the dog can go into shock. ACVS notes that dogs whose signs lasted more than 6 hours before treatment do worse, so any large dog retching without bringing anything up needs an emergency vet at once.
Does a raised food bowl prevent bloat?
- No. ACVS lists elevated feeding among the factors suggested to raise the risk, not lower it, alongside one large meal a day and stress. Ask your vet before changing how a large, deep-chested dog is fed, and treat repeated unproductive retching as an emergency whatever the bowl.
Does exercise after eating cause bloat?
- Exercise is not on the main lists of proven risk factors. Merck and ACVS name a deep chest, a close relative with GDV, older age, one large meal a day and eating fast. A calm rest after meals does no harm, but a preventive gastropexy is what guards against the twist itself.
What is a gastropexy?
- An operation that fixes the stomach to the inside of the body wall so it cannot twist. It is done as part of emergency bloat surgery, and many vet surgeons also recommend it as a preventive operation for at-risk breeds, often at the same time as a spay or neuter.
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