Stomach Twisting in Dogs – What to look out for
Stomach twisting, or gastric torsion syndrome, is a serious condition that occurs in some dogs. Gastric torsion can be life–threatening if not treated quickly, in fact the mortality rate is very high as your dog can die within hours of the stomach twisting: It is always fatal for dogs that don’t get treatment. Dogs that do get taken to the vet have a 65% chance of survival.
No One really knows what exactly causes a dog’s stomach to twist, but most physicians think that it comes from the accumulation of gas in the stomach. Ligaments in the stomach stretch and twist when there’s lots of inflammation and gas, and they may ultimately not be able to hold the stomach in its normal position, and t weight of the spleen (which is located next to the stomach) makes the dog’s intestines twist.
When the intestines get twisted, the body’s blood supply collapses and cuts off blood flow to the arteries and veins that run through the stomach. The dog’s blood can’t reach vital organs to oxygenate them, including the heart. This lack of blood supply can cause cardiac arrhythmia and, ultimately, send the dog into fatal shock. It also blocks any exit points for the food, air, or water the dog consumed. This can be life–threatening in a matter of hours, especially for a deep–chested breed like Bulldogs.
Other possible causes include:
- Eating large quantities at once: If your dog eats voraciously or drinks liquid quickly, he is more likely to suffer from stomach twisting. Gastric torsion is also more common in dogs that scarf down the food of all the pets in the house after gobbling up their own. Make sure that your dog doesn’t eat too much food right after exercising either, as this can cause stomach issues as well.
- Diseases: Elderly dogs are vulnerable to gastric torsion, especially if they can’t pass gas correctly due to stomach issues. If you know that one of your dog’s parents had gastric torsion, keep a closer eye on your pet because genetics do play a role.
- Stress: Changes in your dog’s routine — like moving to another house, their owner traveling a lot, spending a long time alone, or a family member dying — can make him eat more and be more likely to get gastric torsion.
- Dog breed: While any dog could experience gastric torsion, some breeds are more vulnerable. Pay special attention if your dog has a deep chest and distended stomach, if he’s from a typically large breed, or is in the Molosser category. The following breeds are more likely to get gastric torsion: Dobermans, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Greyhounds, Dalmatians, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners and Boxers. However, Bulldogs are known to suffer from it as well.
When you see several of these symptoms at once, go to the vet immediately:
- Restlessness: Restless, not being able to lay still, constantly looking uncomfortable
- Inflammation in the abdomen: stomach looks extended.
- Vomiting: When the dog tries to vomit, the only thing he expels is a frothy saliva.
- Belching: a lot of saliva and abdominal spasms.
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
Diagnosing and treating gastric torsion in dogs
Once you realize that your dog might have gastric torsion, it is extremely important that you get him to the vet immediately. When you load him in the car, try to move him around as little as possible; make sure he’s comfortable during the ride. Your vet will x–ray his stomach to see if the hole that connects the stomach with the intestine has been displaced. The vet will then give your dog antibiotics and fluids intravenously and extract the contents of his stomach using a tube. Finally, the veterinarian will surgically reattach the stomach to the abdominal wall to avoid future twisting. If the dog survives, the next 48 hours will be critical.
This is because the toxic hormones produced by the pancreas as it is deprived of oxygen, can cause your dogs heart to stop, even after treatment these hormones can still affect your dog, proving fatal.
What are some steps to prevent gastric torsion?
To prevent your pet from suffering from gastric torsion, we recommend that you:
- Use slow feeding bowls: Slow–feeding bowls are a very effective means to prevent bloat in dogs. Since it slows down feeding, the canine’s stomach won’t fill too fast. It will also prevent your dog from swallowing excessive amounts of air. Moreover, slow–feeding bowls are designed with various patterns to prevent canines from taking big bites. Depending on the design, these bowls can slow down your dog’s eating by up to 10 times. Aside from preventing bloat, slow–feeding bowls also help with digestion. The bonus part is that these bowls are available in different colors, sizes, and price ranges.
- Limit water intake after a meal, because too much water on top of a large meal can easily build pressure on the stomach. Another problem with too much water intake is that dogs also swallow air as they lap on the bowl. This doubles the risk of stomach twisting. With that, you should only offer a small amount of water at a time. After a few hours, you can refill the dog’s bowl to ensure that its stomach is ready to accommodate more fluids.
- Schedule exercise wisely, as much as ample exercise is necessary to keep dogs healthy, you should never schedule it right
before or after a meal. This strenuous physical exertion will rotate the stomach, often in a sharper turn that’s hard to fix.
With that, it’s safer to put off your dog’s exercise for at least two hours before or after a meal. This period is enough for a dog to calm down and process the meal it just ate. But if you can wait longer, it would be safer, especially for a bloat–prone breed like Bulldogs. - Monitor your dog’s feeding. If your dog is prone or has experienced bloating before, it’s crucial to monitor its feeding. Sometimes, it pays to watch your dog eat. This is so you can identify potential signs of stomach twisting as it occurs. It can be lifesaving since this condition can kill a canine within hours. If you tend to get busy, try feeding your dog at the same time as you eat. This will let you check on your pooch as you also enjoy your meal.
Source: English & French Bulldog Rescue SA
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Disclaimer: The information produced by Infurmation is provided for general and educational purposes only and does not constitute any legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always seek the advice of your vet or other qualified health care provider prior to starting any new diet or treatment and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you suspect that your pet has a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.