Dogs Get Bloated Too-but it can be dangerous for them
Bloat is a true life-and-death emergency in dogs. The stomach fills up with air and/or fluid (simple bloat) and may or may not rotate (complex bloat). Large, deep-chested breeds like Great Danes, Dobermans and Irish Setters are predisposed. The exact cause is unknown. Most cases present with a classic history. Dogs eat one big meal, drink a lot of water, then go outside to play. They come back inside bloated. Their abdomen is distended and they may salivate, retch, and/or belch. As the pain gets worse, dogs become restless and tend to get up and lie down repeatedly. Without treatment, bloat can be fatal. The classic history along with x-rays generally confirms the problem.
SYMPTOMS
* Large distended abdomen.
* Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and distress.
* Salivate, retch, belch.
WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO
* To treat simple bloat a stomach tube is passed which relieves the gas and decompresses the stomach. The results are instantaneous.
* With complex bloat a stomach tube can’t be passed because of the twist between the stomach and esophagus. Treatment requires surgery to untwist the stomach. Sutures that attach the stomach to the body wall help prevent future recurrences.
Bloat tends to recur so prevention is the key. Feed several small meals instead of one big meal. Don’t let your dog go out to play one hour before or two hours after eating. Limit water intake because the rapid mixing of food and water in the stomach promotes the formation of excess gas.
COMPLEMENTARY TREAMENTS
HERBAL REMEDIES
Fresh cabbage juice can help relieve gas build-up initially and provide some relief for cases of mild simple bloat.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Nux moschata 30C (nutmeg) taken every 15 minutes up the three times can help decrease gas formation. Carbo vegetabilis 30C (charcoal) also helps counteract excessive gas formation.
