Sled Dog Society of Wales
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    • Gleblands Park - Newport
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  • Dog Show Sponsors 2019
  • Canine First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
Picture
Bloat

Bloat is a life-threatening emergency that affects dogs in the prime of life.  The mortality rate for gastric volvulus approaches 50 percent.  Early recognition and treatment are the keys to survival.
 
Bloat can occur in any dog at any age, but typically occurs in middle-aged to older dogs.  There may be a familial association.  Large-breed dogs with deep chests are anatomically predisposed.  Bloat develops suddenly, usually in a healthy, active dog.  The dog may have just eaten a large meal, exercised vigorously before or after eating, or drank a large amount of water immediately after eating.
 
Signs of Bloat
The classic signs of bloat are restlessness and pacing, salivation, retching, unproductive attempts to vomit, and enlargement of the abdomen.  The dog may whine or groan when you press on his belly.  Thumping the abdomen produces a hollow sound.  Unfortunately, not all cases of bloat present with typical signs.  In early bloat the dog may not appear distended, but the abdomen usually feels slightly tight.  The dog appears lethargic, obviously uncomfortable, walks in a stiff-legged fashion, hangs his head, but may not look extremely anxious or distressed.  Early on it is not possible to distinguish dilatation from volvulus.  Late signs (those of impending shock) include pale gums and tongue, delayed capillary refill time, rapid heart rate, weak pulse, rapid and labored breathing, weakness, and collapse.  If the dog is able to belch or vomit, quite likely the problem is not due to a volvulus, but this can only be determined by veterinary examination.
 
Treating Bloat
In all cases where there is the slightest suspicion of bloat, take your dog to a veterinary hospital immediately. Time is of the essence.  Gastric dilatation without torsion or volvulus is relieved by passing a long rubber or plastic tube through the dog’s mouth into the stomach.  This is also the quickest way to confirm a diagnosis of bloat.  As the tube enters the dog’s stomach, there should be a rush of air and fluid from the tube, bringing relief.  The stomach is then washed out.  The dog should not be allowed to eat or drink for the next 36 hours, and will need to be supported with intravenous fluids.  If symptoms do not return, the diet can be gradually restored.
 
A diagnosis of dilatation or volvulus is best confirmed by X-rays of the abdomen.  Dogs with simple dilatation have a large volume of gas in the stomach, but the gas pattern is normal.  Dogs with volvulus have a “double bubble” gas pattern on the X-ray, with gas in two sections separated by the twisted tissue.
 
If the dog has a volvulus, emergency surgery is required as soon as the dog is able to tolerate the anaesthesia.  The goals are to reposition the stomach and spleen, or to remove the spleen and part of the stomach if these organs have undergone necrosis.
 
Preventing Bloat
Dogs who respond to no surgical treatment have a 70 percent chance of having another episode of bloat. Some of these episodes can be prevented by following these practices:
Divide the day’s ration into three equal meals, spaced well apart.
Do not feed your dog from a raised food bowl.
Avoid feeding dry dog food that has fat among the first four ingredients listed on the label.
Avoid foods that contain citric acid.
Restrict access to water for one hour before and after meals.
Never let your dog drink a large amount of water all at once.
Avoid strenuous exercise on a full stomach.



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  • Home
  • About
    • Club Ethos
    • Club Code of Ethics
    • Club Dog Working, Showing & Pack Walks
    • Club Membership
    • Club Merchandise >
      • Pyrography
      • Car Decals
      • Clothing >
        • Size & Colour Chart
      • Custom Embroidery Designs
      • Dog Accessories
      • Keyrings
      • Miscellaneous
    • Meet the Pack & Club Event Photos
    • Rainbow Bridge
  • Education & Public Speaking
  • Contact
  • Ain't Nothing But A Hound Day
    • Gleblands Park - Newport
    • Victoria Park - Cardiff
    • Romilly Park - Barry
    • Roath Recreation Ground - Cardiff
  • Dog Show Sponsors 2019
  • Canine First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter