Stomach bloat in dogs is also known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) which can lead to an emergency situation. Bloating happens when food or gas stretch your dog’s stomach. Bloat in dogs can be serious, and if you believe your dog may be suffering from bloat, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can. GDV happens when the bloated stomach rotates and traps gas inside leading to a blockage of blood supply. It’s essential that you notice the symptoms of GDV in your dog and act quickly. GDV is distressing and painful for your dog to experience plus it can lead to death if not treated.
Symptoms of bloating in dogs
- Distended, hard or bloated abdomen
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Unproductive retching
- Heavy, fast or difficulty breathing
- Excessive saliva
- Rapid pulse and heart rate
- Sudden collapse
- Mucous membranes that are pale
Why is your dog’s stomach bloated?
As a pet parent, you do your best to provide a healthy diet for your dog so suddenly hearing the news your pet has GDV is shocking. The first thing that comes to mind is, how did this happen? There are numerous underlying ailments that cause stomach bloat in dogs. Common reasons include heart failure, pregnancy, uterine infection, liver dysfunction, and internal bleeding. Click here to get a more detailed look at the causes behind bloating in dogs. Also learn if a dog can still poop when bloated. All of these are serious conditions that need to be brought to the attention of a veterinarian. Once the veterinarian has ruled out an underlying condition, you will be happy to learn the cause of most stomach bloat in dogs usually originates from their daily diet.
How to treat dog bloat
If your dog is experiencing GDV, the veterinarian will provide a treatment plan to follow. However, if your dog’s bloated stomach is due to a poor diet or something they ate, you can make improvements quickly and easily by providing nutritious kibble meals, healthy treats and a supplement like Bernie’s Perfect Poop to help improve digestion. Bernie’s Perfect Poop is specially formulated with fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes to relieve digestive conditions, improve overall health, and optimize stool.
