Taking the dog to the vets can be a fraught experience for owners (stock image) (Image: Getty)
When our cherished pets are unwell, figuring out what’s wrong can be difficult. They can’t explain how they are feeling, so it falls to us to figure out whether it’s merely a minor ailment or something requiring urgent attention.
Now one vet has outlined how swift action can genuinely mean the difference between life and death when it comes to one particular condition affecting dogs, especially larger breeds. Amir Anwary boasts more than 951,000 followers on TikTok, where he routinely provides guidance and recommendations for keeping your treasured pets in optimal health. He recently issued an urgent warning for dog owners.
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As the clip began, text appeared on screen, reading: “This video is two minutes long and watching it may save your dog’s life. (You need to know this).”
Amir explained: “Today I wanted to talk to you guys about a really really deadly condition called GDV, or bloat, in dogs. It is an extremely deadly condition, and the difference between life and death with this condition is you as an owner being able to recognise the symptoms as soon as possible and bringing your dog into the vet clinic as soon as possible,” reports the Mirror.
What is GDV, or bloat?
GDV stands for Gastric Dilation and Volvulus. Amir stated: “GDV, or bloat, in dogs is essentially when your dog’s stomach fills up with either food, gas, or liquid, and it gets so full that it actually twists in on itself.
“When it twists on itself the entrance closes so gas can’t escape any more and blood supply to the spleen and to the stomach gets blocked off, which means that the dog can go into shock very, very quickly. And because the entrances are both blocked off, the stomach gets bigger and bigger faster and faster, meaning it progresses very quickly.”
He went on to explain that large, deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes and German Shepherds are particularly vulnerable to the condition, though any breed can be impacted. “Generally what happens and what I see most is dogs are fed a big meal,” he stated.
“Either a lot of pellets or they are given bread or something starchy, and this produces gas. The dogs are taken out to exercise within that one hour period after eating and, because their stomachs bloat and get that much bigger, and because the exercise can cause a lot of movement, the stomach can twist in on itself, and that’s essentially the beginning of the GDV.”
Describing the warning signs of the condition, Amir added: “The most common signs you will see after this happens is you may see their stomach starts to get bloat, they become restless, they become very uncomfortable, they can’t just be still, and they’re often trying to vomit. So they’re trying to get something out but nothing is coming out.
“You’ll often also notice that they start drooling a lot. If you notice a combination of these symptoms, especially in the close vicinity of you having fed them, then you need to be very, very wary that this could in fact be GDV.
“So if you ever notice a combination of these symptoms, make sure that you call your vet immediately, because with these symptoms, every single hour is truly a matter of life and death.”
According to pet charity the PDSA, surgery is typically necessary to treat a dog with GDV, though the condition can prove fatal even with intervention. Roughly 15 per cent of dogs don’t survive despite receiving treatment.
How can bloat, or GDV, be prevented?
The PDSA offered these recommendations for minimising the risk of your dog developing the condition:
- Restrict exercise for one hour before and after feeding
- Restrict car travel for one hour before and after feeding
- Feed several small meals a day instead of one large meal
- Feed them from the floor. Although vets had previously advised to use raised bowls, studies have since shown this can actually increase the risk of the condition
- Encourage your dog to drink little and often instead of large amounts in one go (but never withhold water)
- If your dog eats very quickly, consider using a slow feeding bowl, or give them small amounts more often. If you have more than one dog, separate them during meal times to stop them racing to finish their food
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