Courtesy of: Ashley

What scares me about owning a Bullmastiff?  BLOAT! (well, and a cruciate ligament rupture but that’s a blog topic for another day).

Bloat (also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus or GDV) is a life threatening condition for which large and giant breed and/or deep-chested dogs such as the Bullmastiff, Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, Irish Setter and Bassett Hound are at risk.  Bloat is when the stomach fills up with gas causing the pet to have discomfort and difficulty breathing.  When the stomach is full of gas it makes it easier for the stomach to twist around itself causing a gastric torsion.  A torsion cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and causes it to die.  When the twist occurs the life of the pet is at risk.

This condition is very serious and can be fatal if not treated as soon as possible by a veterinarian.  Often times a stomach tube is placed to relieve the gas buildup.  If that is not possible a needle is placed through the abdominal wall to relieve the pressure.  Once the pet is stable, surgery is needed to untwist the stomach.  At that time the veterinarian may discuss a procedure called gastropexy to help prevent future bloat.  This procedure involves tacking the stomach to the abdomen wall, to reduce the chance that the stomach may twist.  In at-risk breeds, these procedures are commonly done as a preventive at the pet’s spay or neuter time.

Understanding the early signs of bloat can be very beneficial.  Abdominal distention, vomiting or retching, restlessness, drooling, panting and shallow breathing are all signs that you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

The most common time for bloat to occur is two to three hours after a meal that has been followed by exercise.  Dogs should be fed two or three times a day rather than once a day to limit the volume of food in their stomach at any one time.  Limit the access of water after a meal and limit exercise and excitement before and after meals for one to two hours.  Dogs that are more likely to get bloat should be fed in a quiet location and if a diet change is needed it should be done at a slower rate over a period of at least five days.

Hugo and Brenley (you met Brenley in the nail trim blog), our Bullmastiffs, are watched very closely all the time but are especially not allowed outside off leash for at least one hour after meals to help prevent bloat.  Knowing the early signs can be life saving for your pet!

If you have any questions about bloat, or any other diseases large and giant breed dogs are susceptible to, please call us at 893-2341.