Thought I’d weigh in here with a different perspective, starting with a statement of the current fact situation as I see it.
The larger reality is that researchers and practitioners don’t know what causes GDV. The best we have are correlational indices of risk factors. That is it. Correlations may suggest but do not confirm causality.
I think it’s critical for us to understand that this larger reality makes it difficult (if not impossible) to meaningfully talk about prevention.
That said, there
are things that the owners can do in advance. While I hope that no one ever needs this information, I also believe it’s better to be prepared. So, what follows are my strong suggestions of three ways owners can prepare.
1.
Educate yourself about Bloat/GDV. We use the terms bloat and GDV interchangeably, but they are different things. Bloat (gastric dilation) is basically a bellyful of gas which may/may not lead to the stomach/intestines torsing/knotting/twisting back on themselves (volvulvus). That in turn, cuts off oxygen and blood supply to vital organs, kills tissues and can lead to a very painful death. Note that the spleen also can twist (splenic torsion) which is a life threatening emergency too.
Thus, your goal is to intervene before torsion occurs or as soon thereafter as is humanly possible. Here’s a link describing the process:
2. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of Bloat. This is the best way to determine whether your dog is heading towards an emergency that requires intervention. Examples include, but are not limited to, vomiting, retching, restlessness, standing hunched over, etc. Below are a couple of links with good descriptions. READ THEM. Don’t just rely on one individual’s description, including mine, learn the array. Keep in mind that each dog is different and may present idiosyncratically. It’s best to know your dog, what’s typical and what’s not.
3. Keep simethocone (active ingredient in GasX) on hand and in your car, at all times. In consultation with your vet, figure out the correct dosage for each dog, print it out and put it in the drug’s packaging. If you suspect that your dog is bloating, administer the simethicone immediately and head for the nearest ER. Do NOT wait. Once there, tell staff what you administered and when. I've never seen any contraindications with the use of simethecone; if you're concerned, speak to your vet.
Other Stuff:
Over the years, I’ve heard the suggestion that owners familiarize themselves with what a dog’s full stomach feels and looks like as a way to recognize GDV. Here’s the problem that I have with that approach: A dog with a bellyful of food looks/feels nothing like the distention that you see in dogs with full on GDV. What you’re looking for (but hope never to see) is the kind of stomach distention that’s not uncommon among starving children in third world countries. By the time you see that, however, it may be too late. IMO, it’s better to learn the initial symptoms (see #2 above) and intervene in a timely manner.
I’ve had 3 wolfhounds that developed GDV; two made it, one didn’t. Following gastropexy for the survivors, here’s the management (NOT preventative) system that I follow. I use mid height raised bowls for food and water. I feed adults 2x daily (puppies 3/4 x daily depending), moisten the kibble base and add a rotating diet of healthy toppers. I also change the kibble base as new info comes in (this forum is particularly great at keeping us all up to date). I also give pre/probiotic supplements, again changing which I use as new information comes in. Treats are organic, freeze dried meat or I make my own. And, I don’t feed within 90 minutes (before or after) of any kind of exercise, walkies included. I pay careful (some might say obsessive) attention to their elimination habits and the quality of their, uh, product. Any variance gets my immediate attention; same with regurgitation (vomiting). Most importantly, I monitor their daily moods, energy levels and behavior. Any change gets my immediate attention.
Knowing your dog is key, I believe, in GDV and any other disease process.
It’s highly unlikely that anything I do is at all ‘preventative.’ Well, except for close monitoring of behavior and elimination habits. It’s far more likely than not that I’d do the very same things even without the experience of GDV. By training and temperament, I prefer to accept the facts of a given situation, including that no one knows very much about all of this.
I’m also human and I want to do
something. So, I follow my management plan. But, I do so knowing full well that it’s not going to
prevent GDV. I’m also better prepared (see points #1 thru #3, above) if I ever encounter it again.
And, I feel better.
Aly
