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Nov 25, 2009 10:00 pm US/Central
Vets Warn Canine Bloat, Or GDV, Can Be Deadly
NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Bruce Rogers of Grand Prairie is a dog lover. He runs
Doberman Rescue of North Texas and has kept his own pets for nearly 30 years. "I've been around dogs all my life and around Dobermans since I married my wife," he explained.
But it was one dog in particular that won Bruce's heart. Her name was Cheyenne. Bruce called her perfect. "She just went crazy when she saw me. So we'd play fetch in the morning; to her that was just the perfect way to start every day."
One evening, Bruce noticed something was wrong with his faithful companion. "She started becoming agitated she was uncomfortable. I could tell she didn't feel well," he recalled.
Within hours Cheyenne died from bloat. It's a condition also known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or GDV. GDV occurs when the stomach becomes bloated with excess air, sometimes growing to 10 times its normal size. The stomach twists and cuts off circulation to the rest of the body.
Fort Worth veterinarian Tricia Earley sees several cases of bloat a week
at the Metro West Emergency Center. "It is an absolute emergency and every minute counts," Earley said of the condition.
According to the vet, GDV often occurs after a dog eats a large meal, followed by exercise. "A typical scenario would be an owner would come home, feed their dog dinner and go for a run. That is not a great thing to do, when it comes to having a large breed dog."
Veterinarian David Hilley says although no dog is immune; GDV mostly affects large breeds with deep chests, like Dobermans, German Shepherds and Great Danes. "It is a fatal condition if not corrected," he warned.
Hilley says the symptoms begin with restlessness. "They're trying to vomit but nothing's coming up, because the stomach is twisted and it can't come up."
Owners also might notice their dog panting excessively. To prevent GDV, Hilley recommends feeding dogs in small amounts and adding water to dry food.
To this day, Bruce Rogers carries the guilt over the loss of his Cheyenne. "It's all my fault. I have a picture of Cheyenne on my computer. She's with me all the time. I miss her."
Bruce also lost another dog to GDV. Now he knows the symptoms and what to do if any of the animals he loves, ever gets sick again. "Drop everything, go to the vet immediately don't waste a second, you may be in time, you may be able to save your dog."
Doctor Hilley says there is a surgical procedure that can prevent GDV. The surgery is usually done early in the dog's life and costs around $1,000, which is far less costly than emergency surgery.
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