How Monty's Life Was Saved When He Developed Bloat

The Dangers of Bloat / GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
 
"Six weeks ago my 10 year old German Shepherd, Monty, went from a perfectly healthy dog to being at deaths door in the matter of a few short hours.  He had been restless during the evening and had wanted  to go out in the garden to vomit but had not produced anything.  At the usual 10pm bedtime he had is favourite treat of a Bonio biscuit and settled in his bed, no signs of the previous nausea.
 
An hour and a half later I heard him pacing around and went down in the dark to let him out.  He seemed to spent ages trying to be sick with no affect so I encouraged him back indoors.  By this time I had put the kitchen light on and as he came back in I noticed how bloated his stomach was, immediately I realised I had to get him help fast.  I had seen this before when a previous dog of mine, another German Shepherd, Max, had died of this before I could get him to a vet.  I knew I had to be quick.
 
Arriving at the Emergency Vet in Brighton he was vomiting froth and groaning in pain, he was rushed straight into theatre with no guarantees of recovery. It was heart-breaking to be torn away from him in the urgency and have no option but to drive home with the promise of a call when surgery was over.
 
At 3am I got the call that told me he has pulled through the surgery but they had only just got to him in time.  The vet explained that the bloating in the stomach causes the stomach to start to turn and spiral,  in Monty's case this had cut of circulation to internal organs but miraculously all tissue remained viable. The next five days were going to important, there were complications that could set in and they said I could still lose him.
 
Thankfully after a lengthy post op recuperation period Monty is back to his usual self.  During the operation the vets stitched his stomach to the abdominal wall so it couldn't twist again.  He had a tube from his stomach through a stoma to the outside and stitched to his side to help the stomach adhere to its new position. This was removed some four weeks later.
 
The vets told me they don't really know why this condition occurs but that it happens more in bigger breeds and that the surgery is major.  Apparently 60% of vets with a dog presenting with Bloat will not consider surgery and euthanasia is the only option. I urge all dog owners to be vigilant and if you suspect that your animal looks bloated get them to a Veterinary Hospital fast. Your usual Vet may not be in a position to do emergency surgery."
 
The Good Vet Guide provides the following advice in relation to Bloat -

Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and /or foam in the stomach (gastric dilation). Bloat can occur with or without 'volvulus' (twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90 to 360 degrees, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting stomach traps air, food and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock and damage to internal organs.

Symptoms of Bloat to look out for:-

• Anxiety and restlessness
• Bloated abdomen that may feel tight like a drum
• Heavy salivating or dribbling
• Unproductive attempts to defecate
• Drinking excessively
• Heavy or rapid panting
• Collapse

Guidelines to reduce the risk of Bloat:-

• Don't exercise your dog for at least an hour after feeding
• Do not permit rapid eating
• Feed smaller quantities of food two or three times daily rather than one large meal
• Do not allow excessive rapid drinking
• Promote friendly bacteria in the intestine (probiotics)

Monty is now back to full health and can be seen above undertaking one of his favourite treats - licking out the Yoghurt pot!