One of the most serious and quickly life-threatening canine emergencies is bloat caused by a twisted stomach. This is mainly a problem of big dogs like German Shepherds and Great Danes, and it tends to occur after they’ve eaten a large meal and then had some vigorous exercise. What happens is the stomach twists around and then becomes massively bloated with gas. If not treated very quickly, this can lead to fatal complications, so it’s really important to recognise the signs and get veterinary help as soon as possible if you suspect this condition. The main things to look out for are: - Hard, bloated stomach
- Vomiting and retching up white froth
- Pain and discomfort
If you suspect your dog is showing these symptoms, it is an absolute emergency and time is of the essence. You need to get your dog to the vets as soon as possible where they will be able to treat the condition with intravenous fluids and an operation to reduce the bloat and untwist the stomach.
As with most things, prevention is far better than treatment, and my best tips for preventing this problem are to feed at least twice a day rather than in one big meal, and to avoid any exercise within 2 hours of a meal.
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