THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
If your Great Dane is trying to vomit and nothing is coming up, and the belly looks swollen or feels tight, go to an emergency veterinary hospital now. Do not wait to see whether it settles. Bloat can kill a healthy dog in a matter of hours.
THE EMERGENCY CLINIC WE RECOMMEND IN OUR AREA IS:
MedVet Atlanta (404) 900-6912
1700 Century Circle NE
Atlanta, GA. 30345
Bloat and GDV (gastric dilatation and volvulus) is the emergency every Great Dane owner should be able to recognize in the dark, half asleep, without looking anything up. The sign that matters most is retching that brings nothing up. A dog heaving over and over, producing a little white foam or nothing at all, with an abdomen that looks swollen or feels tight, needs immediate emergency veterinary care tonight rather than waiting until morning.
Great Danes carry the highest risk of any breed, but other deep chested breeds like poodles, poodle mixes, and German Shepherds are also at risk. Work from the Purdue bloat research group puts a Great Dane’s lifetime risk somewhere in the region of 37 to 42 percent, which means a large share of Danes will face this at some point in their lives. Knowing what it looks like before it happens is the difference between a survivable surgery and your beloved Dane losing its life.
What is the difference between bloat and GDV (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus)
Often these two terms are used interchangeably. However, there are 2 different processes that should be understood. Bloat is gastric dilatation, where the stomach swell and is distended with gas, fluid or food. This alone is a serious condition as it can lead to shock, breathing issues, low blood pressure and severe pain. Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) is where the stomach distends with gas and then the stomach rotates on itself.
The rotation is what kills. Once the stomach twists, gas cannot escape at either end, the blood supply to the stomach wall is cut off, and the swollen stomach presses on the large vein carrying blood back to the heart. Blood pressure falls, the dog goes into shock, and the stomach tissue begins to die. SURGERY IS THE ONLY TREATMENT, and the odds get worse with every hour that passes. The dog will die without immediate surgery.
The signs, roughly in the order they appear
• Retching or heaving with nothing coming up. Some dogs bring up a small amount of white foam. This is the sign owners describe first more often than any other.
• Restlessness. Pacing, getting up and lying down again, an inability to settle. Often within an hour or two of eating, though not always.
• A swollen or tight abdomen, usually most obvious behind the ribs on the left side. On a deep-chested Dane it is not always easy to see from the outside, so use your hands.
• Drooling more than usual, sometimes in long ropes.
• A hunched stance, or standing with the front end lowered and the back end up.
• Fast, shallow breathing or panting that will not settle.
• Pale or grey gums. Press a finger against the gum and the color should return within about two seconds.
• Weakness, wobbling or collapse. At this stage the dog is in shock and there is very little time left.
No dog shows every sign. Unproductive retching in a Dane who cannot get comfortable is enough on its own. Go to an emergency clinic immediately!
What to do in the first hour
• Get to a hospital that is open and equipped for emergency surgery.
In our area we recommend: MedVet Atlanta (404) 900-6912
1700 Century Circle NE
Atlanta, GA. 30345
• Have someone call ahead while someone else drives, so the team is ready when you arrive.
• Do not give food or water.
• Do not try to make the dog vomit. Anti-gas products from the cupboard will not untwist a stomach and the delay costs more than the remedy gains.
• Do not wait to see whether it passes, and do not wait for a morning appointment. Dogs die in that gap.
• Take a second person if you can. A Great Dane in shock is a great deal of dog to lift into a car alone.
American Heritage Animal Hospital is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 8am to noon. If your Dane is in trouble outside those hours, do not phone us and wait for a callback. Go straight to the emergency hospital. WE DO NOT PERFORM GDV SURGERY AT AHAH, YOU NEED TO GO TO AN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL ASAP!
Why Great Danes more than other breeds
Chest shape is most of the answer. A deep, narrow chest leaves the stomach more room to move and rotate, which is why the breeds at the top of the risk list all share that build. In recent years, breeds such as German Shepherds, Poodles and Poodle mixes have shown increased risk of this life-threatening condition as well.
Several other things stack on top of conformation:
- A first-degree relative who has bloated. Worth asking your breeder about, if you can.
- Male dogs account for about 66% of GDVs
- Age. Risk climbs steadily as a Dane gets older.
- Temperament. Anxious, fearful or very hyper dogs bloat more often than relaxed ones.
- Eating quickly
- eating one large meal each day rather than multiple smaller meals spread out throughout the day
Gastropexy – the most effective preventative measure
A gastropexy is a procedure that attaches the stomach to the inside of the abdominal wall so that it cannot rotate. It does not stop a stomach filling with gas, and it does not make a dog immune to bloating, but it prevents the twist that turns bloat into a killer.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS PROCEDURE FOR ALL DEEP CHESTED BREEDS – ESPECIALLY GREAT DANES!
It is most often done at the same time as a spay or neuter, so that the dog has just one anaesthetic episode instead of two. However, it can also be done on its own in an adult dog. It is usually recommended that the spay/neuter and the gastropexy be performed on large breed dogs around the age of 16 months (1 & ½ years old). This ensures the Dane is at its full size and the stomach is positioned appropriately. Danes carry a 40% lifetime risk for GDV, so Dane owners should talk to their vet about this procedure before the Dane ends up in an emergency situation.
While we can perform this procedure in our hospital, we feel that having it performed laparoscopically is the best way for it to be done. This is easier on the Dane, doesn’t require a large abdominal incision, and allows for much quicker healing time. Therefore, we refer these patients to a nearby hospital that has the equipment necessary and is very experienced in performing laparoscopic procedures. Please contact us at (770) 972-7026 for more information.
What can owners do at home to lower the risk
Things that genuinely help:
• Smaller meals spread across the day instead of one large one
• A slow feeder or puzzle bowl for a dog who inhales food, breathing a lot of air when eating increases risk
• Calm mealtimes, away from other dogs competing over a bowl
• Ensuring calmness for at least 1 hour before and after eating
- Discourage drinking large amounts amount of water at one time
- Reduce stress and maintain a routine your Dane is comfortable with
- Get regular veterinary exams/check-ups so specific recommendations can be made for your individual pet
- Use in home pet sitters as opposed to boarding your Dane, so they are more comfortable and can maintain their routine
*Raised feeders: There are conflicting views on feeding Danes from a raised feeder. A Purdue study found that a raised bowl allows the pet to ingest more air while eating, which increases the risk of bloat. However, when tall dogs must bend down to the ground to eat, it increases stress and strain on their necks and backs. In a breed, like Great Danes, that are prone to Wobblers (spine compression in the neck) and Intervertebral Disk Disease, bending down that low puts more pressure on these areas and can cause pain and exacerbate other serious conditions. We encourage Dane owners to consult their veterinarian as to what is the best feeding routine for their particular dog.
None of the above measures makes a Dane bloat-proof. Every one of those measures reduces risk at the margins. The only intervention with serious evidence behind it is surgical.
Common questions about bloat/GDV in Great Danes
What is the first sign of bloat/GDV in a Great Dane?
Retching without bringing anything up is the sign owners notice first. The dog heaves repeatedly and produces nothing, or only a little white foam. Restlessness and an inability to settle usually come with it, and a swollen or tight abdomen follows. Any of these in a Great Dane should be treated as an emergency.
How quickly does GDV kill a dog?
Hours, sometimes fewer. A dog can go from normal to shock inside an hour once the stomach twists. Survival is much better for dogs who reach surgery early, and the odds fall steadily the longer the stomach stays rotated, which is why waiting to see whether it settles is the most dangerous thing an owner can do.
Can a Great Dane survive GDV?
Yes. Most dogs who get to surgery quickly survive it. Outcomes depend heavily on how much time passed before treatment and how much damage the stomach wall has taken, so the number that matters most is how fast the dog gets to the emergency clinic.
Does a gastropexy stop bloat?
No, the gastropexy attaches the stomach to the body wall so it cannot twist, which prevents the life-threatening GDV that happens secondary to bloat. The stomach can still fill with gas, which needs veterinary attention but is far less likely to be fatal.
Should I use a raised bowl for my Great Dane?
There are conflicting views on feeding Danes from a raised feeder. A Purdue study found that a raised bowl allows the pet to ingest more air while eating, which increases the risk of bloat. However, when tall dogs must bend down to the ground to eat, it increases stress and strain on their necks and backs. In a breed, like Great Danes, that are prone to Wobblers (spine compression in the neck) and Intervertebral Disk Disease, bending down that low puts more pressure on these areas and can cause pain and exacerbate other serious conditions. We encourage Dane owners to consult their veterinarian as to what is the best feeding routine for their particular dog.
Where do I take my Dane if I think it is experiencing bloat/GDV?
Go to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital with surgical facilities.
In our area we recommend: MedVet Atlanta (404) 900-6912
1700 Century Circle NE
Atlanta, GA. 30345
Talk to us before it happens
The useful conversation about bloat and GDV is the one that happens at a wellness visit, not at midnight. Dr. Cat McGinnis has worked with Great Danes and with Great Dane rescues in Georgia for 10 years and knows what this breed needs. We are ready to answer any questions you may have.
If you have a Dane in Snellville or anywhere in Gwinnett County, call 770-972-7026 and book a visit. We are at 3475 Stone Mountain Highway and we are accepting new clients.