Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), commonly called "bloat," is when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food and then twists on its axis. The twist cuts off blood supply to the stomach and other organs. Without emergency surgery within hours, the dog dies.
OEBs are at lower risk than deep-chested giant breeds (Great Danes, Standard Poodles, Weimaraners) but it does happen. It's serious enough that every owner should know the signs.
If you suspect bloat, drive to the nearest emergency vet immediately. Don't wait to see if it resolves. Don't try home remedies. The window between "treatable" and "dead" is measured in hours.
Symptoms - recognize these instantly
- Distended, hard abdomen - looks pregnant, drum-tight to the touch
- Unproductive retching - repeatedly trying to vomit but nothing comes up
- Excessive drooling, thick saliva, foamy
- Restlessness - pacing, can't get comfortable, can't lie down
- Visible distress - whining, wide eyes, distinct change in behavior
- Pale gums, weak rapid pulse - late signs, indicate shock
- Collapse - final stage
The classic combination is "bloated belly + unproductive retching + restlessness." That trio is bloat until proven otherwise.
Treatment
GDV is a surgical emergency. Treatment looks like:
- IV fluids and stabilization for shock
- Decompression of the stomach via stomach tube or trocharization
- Surgery to untwist the stomach, assess organ damage, and gastropexy (suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent future twisting)
- Post-op care for 1-3 days in hospital
Cost: $4,000-$10,000 depending on region and complications. Pet insurance typically covers most of it if you have a policy in place before symptoms.
Risk factors
What raises GDV risk in any breed:
- Deep, narrow chest - the OEB is moderately deep-chested but not extreme
- Eating one large meal a day vs multiple small meals
- Eating quickly
- Drinking a large volume of water in one sitting
- Vigorous exercise immediately before or after eating
- Stress, anxiety, recent boarding or transport
- Dry kibble as the entire diet (less of an issue with modern foods that are properly soaked or supplemented)
- Family history - bloat has a heritable component
Prevention
- Feed twice a day, not once. Two smaller meals are safer than one large meal.
- Slow-feeder bowl if your dog inhales food. Several brands work; a tennis ball in a normal bowl works in a pinch.
- Wait 30-60 minutes after meals before exercise and same after heavy exercise before feeding.
- Don't restrict water but discourage chugging large quantities at once. Multiple smaller water access points help.
- Prophylactic gastropexy. Some breeders and owners elect to have a preventive gastropexy done at the same time as spay/neuter. The stomach is sutured to the body wall so it can't twist. Adds $500-$1,000 to the spay/neuter procedure. Worth considering for OEBs from lines with bloat history.
What to do at the moment of suspicion
- Get the dog in the car. Don't wait, don't call ahead extensively, don't try home remedies.
- Drive to the nearest emergency vet. Call them from the road if a passenger can - they prep the OR while you drive.
- Stay calm. The dog is reading you.
A few hours of paranoid driving when the dog turned out to be fine is much better than the alternative.