Bloat

Knowing This Information Could Save Your "Best Friend's" Life!

The information on this page is excerpted from an article entitled "First Aid for Bloat" written for Great Dane people by Mr. Jack Godwin.

Please remember: This material is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should discuss bloat prevention and first aid procedures with your veterinarian and follow his/her advice.

+ Recommendations to help avoid Canine Bloat

Veterinarians continue to study the bloat problem and still have many unanswered questions. Researchers prepared the following recommendations to help prevent canine bloat. You should discuss these recommendations with your Veterinarian and other [Irish Wolfhound] owners:
  1. Feed the dogs two or three times daily, rather than once a day, and at times when someone can observe them after they have eaten.

  2. Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement and stress one hour before and two hours after feeding. Walking is okay because it helps stimulate normal gastrointestinal function.

  3. Feed dogs individually and in a quiet location and from an elevated dish - I added that, since it's very important, and an accepted practice among all IW owners I've talked with>.

  4. Make diet changes gradually over a 3-5 day period.

  5. Ensure water is always available but limit the amount immediately after feeding. (Water bowls should also be elevated).

  6. Watch for any actions or behavior that may signal abdominal discomfort:

    - Abdominal fullness
    - Pacing
    - Salivating
    - Whining
    - Getting up and lying down
    - Stretching
    - Looking at abdomen
    - Anxiety
    - Unsuccessful attempts to vomit, etc.

  7. Establish a good relationship with your veterinarian. Discuss emergency procedures and preventive surgery such as circumcostal gastropexy (stomach tack) and medical management of your dog.

+ Bloat Phases, Symptoms and Recommended Actions

- Phase 1 Symptoms:

  1. Pacing, restlessness, panting and salivating.

  2. Unproductive attempts to vomit (ever 10-20 minutes).

  3. Abdomen exhibits fullness and beginning to enlarge.

- Phase 1 Actions:
  1. Call vet to advise of bloat case en route. Transport dog to vet immediately.
- Phase 2 Symptoms:
  1. Very restless, whining, panting continuously, heavy salivating.

  2. Unproductive attempts to vomit (every 2 -3 minutes).

  3. Dark red gums.

  4. High heartbeat rate (80-100 bmp).

  5. Abdomen is enlarged and tight. Emits hollow sound when thumped.

- Phase 2 Actions:
  1. Apply first aid if vet is more than 10 minutes away. First aid involves:

    + Passing a stomach tube through the dog's mouth into the stomach,

    + Blowing gently through the tube as it is advanced toward the stomach to expand the esophagus and allow the tube to pass more easily,

    + Once in the stomach the tube should allow gas and fluids to be expelled through the tube,

    + If steps 1-3 don't work, a trocharization must be done, which involves:

    - Inserting a 14 guage needle directly into the stomach,

    - Expelling gas through the needle.

  2. Both types of first aid are very complicated procedures, and exact guidelines and supplies must be on hand to perform them successfully!

  3. Transport dog to vet immediately.

- Phase 3 Symptoms:
  1. Gums are white or blue.

  2. Dog unable to stand or has spread-legged, shaky stance.

  3. Abdomen is very enlarged.

  4. Extremely high heartbeat rate (100 bpm or greater) and weak pulse.

+ Phase 3 Actions:
  1. *Apply first aid immediately*. Death is imminent!
  2. Transport dog to vet *quickly* (even while applying first aid if possible).

Our Recommendation:

Consider keeping a copy of this table readily available. It could be a life saver as a quick reference whenever, and wherever, an Irish Wolfhound you love gets in trouble: at home, kennel, RV or van. Some folks keep a copy posted on their refrigerator door!

Irish Wolfhound FAQ (c) 1995/97 M.J. Erblandmerbland@wwa.com