Bloat and GDV in Dogs: A Guide to this Life-Threatening Emergency

A critical guide to Bloat and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) in dogs. Learn to recognize the signs of this life-threatening emergency, the breeds at risk, and the immediate action required to save your dog's life.

Pet parents, listen up. This is one of the most serious and terrifying conditions that can affect a dog: Bloat, also known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). This is not the simple "I ate too much" bloat that people feel. This is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening condition that requires immediate emergency surgery. Every dog owner, especially of large, deep-chested breeds, needs to know the signs of GDV.

What is Bloat and GDV?

It's a two-part process:

  1. •Gastric Dilatation (The "Bloat"): The stomach fills up with gas and fluid, like a balloon. This is extremely uncomfortable and puts pressure on the surrounding organs and blood vessels.
  2. 1Volvulus (The "Torsion"): This is the part that makes it a killer. The gas-filled stomach then twists or flips over on itself, sealing off the entrance and exit. Nothing can get in or out.

Once the stomach twists, a catastrophic chain of events begins:

  • •The blood supply to the stomach is cut off, and the stomach tissue begins to die.
  • •The twisted stomach puts immense pressure on the major blood vessels in the abdomen, cutting off blood flow back to the heart.
  • •This sends the dog into shock.
  • •The spleen, which is attached to the stomach, can also twist, cutting off its own blood supply.
  • •The dog can die within a matter of hours.

This is arguably one of the most severe, non-traumatic emergencies in all of veterinary medicine.

Breeds at Highest Risk

GDV is a disease of large and giant, deep-chested breeds. The risk increases with age.

  • •Great Danes (the #1 breed for GDV)
  • •Standard Poodles
  • •German Shepherds
  • •Weimaraners
  • •Irish Setters
  • •Doberman Pinschers
  • •And any large dog with a deep, narrow chest.

KNOW THESE SIGNS. IT COULD SAVE YOUR DOG'S LIFE.

The signs of GDV come on suddenly and get worse quickly.

  • •Non-productive Retching: This is the hallmark sign. Your dog is trying to vomit, but nothing is coming up. They are hacking, gagging, and retching over and over.
  • •Restlessness and Pacing: They can't get comfortable. They are anxious and clearly in distress.
  • •A Distended or Swollen Abdomen: Their belly may look tight and bloated, like a drum.
  • •Drooling: Due to nausea and distress.
  • •Pain: They may whine or look at their belly.
  • •Weakness and Collapse: As the dog goes into shock, they will become weak and may collapse.

If you see these signs, especially the non-productive retching, DO NOT WAIT. This is a "drive now, call on the way" emergency. Get your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Every minute counts.

What Happens at the Emergency Vet?

The veterinary team will move fast.

  1. •Stabilization: The first priority is to treat the shock. They will place large-bore IV catheters and start pumping fluids into your dog.
  2. 1Decompression: They need to get the gas out of the stomach. They will try to pass a tube down the esophagus into the stomach. If the stomach is fully twisted, they won't be able to. In that case, they will insert a large needle or catheter directly into the stomach from the outside to release the gas.
  3. 2Diagnosis: An X-ray of the abdomen will be taken to confirm the diagnosis. On an X-ray, a GDV has a classic "double bubble" or "Smurf hat" appearance.
  4. 3Surgery: Once the dog is stable enough for anesthesia, they must go to surgery. There is no other option.

The GDV Surgery

The surgery has two main goals:

  1. •Derotate the Stomach: The surgeon will untwist the stomach and put it back in its normal position. They will assess the stomach wall to see if any tissue has died. If so, the dead tissue must be removed. They will also assess the spleen, which may need to be removed.
  2. 1Gastropexy: This is the most important part of preventing a recurrence. The surgeon will permanently tack the stomach to the inside of the body wall. This "gastropexy" procedure prevents the stomach from ever being able to twist again. A dog that has a GDV and does not get a gastropexy has a very high chance (over 80%) of having it happen again.

Prevention: The Prophylactic Gastropexy

Because GDV is so deadly and the emergency surgery is so risky and expensive, for high-risk breeds, many veterinarians now recommend a prophylactic gastropexy.

This is a preventative surgery where the stomach is tacked to the body wall in a young, healthy dog to prevent it from ever being able to twist. It is often done at the same time as the dog's spay or neuter. A prophylactic gastropexy doesn't prevent the "bloat" part (the stomach can still fill with gas), but it prevents the deadly "volvulus" part (the twist). This is a conversation every owner of a high-risk breed should have with their vet.

Other (Unproven) Prevention Tips:

  • •Feed two or three smaller meals a day instead of one large meal.
  • •Avoid strenuous exercise for an hour before and after meals.
  • •Do not use a raised food bowl unless advised by your vet. (Older advice suggested raised bowls were helpful, but newer studies suggest they may actually increase the risk.)

GDV is a nightmare scenario, but by knowing the signs and acting fast, you can give your dog the best possible chance of survival.

Sources & Further Reading:

  1. •American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
  2. 1VCA Animal Hospitals - Bloat or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) in Dogs