Bloat and Stomach Twisting in Dobermans: A Comprehensive Guide
Dobermans, like many large, deep-chested breeds, are particularly susceptible to bloat, which is connected to a life-threatening condition known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV). If you are reading this article and your dog is experiencing any GDV symptoms (or other symptoms), take your dog to the nearest veterinary ER immediately. GDV is an emergency. This condition involves the rapid expansion of the stomach due to gas, food, or fluid, followed by a possible twist (volvulus). When the stomach twists, it prevents gas from escaping and cuts off the blood supply, leading to tissue death and a cascade of other medical emergencies. Understanding the symptoms, prevention strategies, and emergency responses are crucial in saving your beloved pet's life.
Symptoms of Bloat in Dobermans (and other breeds):
Bloat progresses quickly and can be fatal within a matter of a couple of hours (or sometimes less), so recognizing the early signs is crucial:
Swollen, Hard Abdomen: The dog’s belly may appear noticeably enlarged and feel tight to the touch.
Restlessness and Pacing: Affected dogs are often uncomfortable and unable to find a comfortable position.
Retching or Gagging: Attempts to vomit that may produce little to no vomit.
Excessive Drooling: More salivation than normal due to nausea.
Rapid Breathing or Panting: Signs of distress or discomfort.
Weakness or Collapse: In later stages, the dog may lie down or be unable to stand.
Preventing Bloat in Dobermans (Non-Surgical):
It is important to know that there is evidence that bloat may be related to carb intake and the soluble fiber within, as well as commercial pet food relying on soy protein, all of which may be related to feeding kibble (Brady, 2021). As such, the following information may be especially pertaining to people who feed kibble or other related diets, including raw food recipes that, for example, contain starchy vegetables that are high in soluble fiber. While there's no guaranteed way to prevent bloat, you can take steps to reduce the risk non-surgically (we will discuss Gastropexy as a surgical option in a different blog post):
Feed Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Research suggests that meal size is significantly related to GDV (Raghavan et al., 2004). Instead of one large meal, divide the food into two or three servings daily. (If you, like us, believe in fasting periods for your dog for its potential health benefits, you may elect to feed your dog two meals within a six to eight-hour window but as always discuss any dietary changes with your veterinarian before you implement anything new).
Slow Down Eating: The evidence is sparse to support that fast eating is highly correlated to or the cause of GDV (Brady, 2021). Fast eating may be a risk factor, and slowing the speed down does not appear to increase the risk of GDV (Buckley, 2016). However, the evidence is too little to make reliable conclusions about the connection between fast eating and GDV either way (Buckley, 2016). A common reason why fast eating is believed to create bloat and, hence, GDV issues is excessive air, as in CO2 intake (Brady, 2021). However, van Kruiningen et al. (2013, as cited in Brady, 2021) suggest the amount of 13-20% CO2 in the stomach of GDV dog patients is greater than what can be caused by swallowing air alone because atmospheric CO2 is less than 1 %. Therefore, van Kruiningen et al. (2013, as cited in Brady, 2021) concluded that the gas composition found is likely more related to microbes in the intestines sending gas up into the stomach than merely from swallowing air alone. While this evidence is highly compelling, overall, the evidence is limited. As such, since slowing down does not seem to increase the risk while research about fast eating-GDV is still limited, we continue to think using slow-feeder bowls to prevent your dog from eating too quickly if they eat too quickly can be a valid approach; just remember that this approach is currently not necessarily supported by much scientific evidence, and if air swallowing is involved, it may be just one factor.
Avoid Heavy Exercise Before and After Meals:
Limited evidence exists on how exercise may contribute to bloat and GDV before feeding, and the theory is not well supported (Hill, 2013). However, you may still want to follow common veterinary advice, such as not exercising your dog an hour before feeding them.
Common advice is also to wait at least an hour after feeding before engaging your Doberman in vigorous activity. Be aware that Brady (2021) conducted a poll of more than one hundred people whose dogs suffered a GDV episode, and 80% indicated that the episode started later than an hour past the meal, which may indicate other factors are related as well since the stomach has started to empty some contents already by that time. As such, while evidence does not appear to link GDV occurrence or intensity to exercise before or after a meal in some research (Elwood, 1998, as cited in Brady, 2021; Glickmann, 2000, as cited in Brady, 2021), at this point, we still opt to believe that avoiding heavy exercise before and after a meal but likely for more than an hour is a good idea. The reason is mainly because, as described above in van Kruiningen et al. (2013, as cited in Brady, 2021), gas from the intestines is hypothesized to travel back into the stomach. This process, in an otherwise healthy dog, can, as far as we understand, only happen when the pressure past the stomach is high enough. One factor that is attributed to this situation is that abdominal pressure can force gas back up the gastrointestinal tract, and physical exercise can increase abdominal pressure.Given that the fermentation necessary for these gases occurs later than an hour after eating, we believe in waiting longer than an hour, and we are reluctant to say it is okay to let them play right after a meal because the intestine-gas issue may not be the only problem and many variables, such as meal frequency, individual differences in transit times, etc. may play a role as well. We realize this situation may inconvenience dogs fed more than once or twice a day. Still, we believe it is better to restrict exercise for more than an hour, possibly even up to 6 hours (based on when fermentation roughly may occur in the digestion process), especially after carb and fiber-heavy diets. As such, a feasible approach to possibly reduce GDV risk may be to feed dogs on schedules that allow for these breaks. For example, you can comfortably fit two meals into such schedules in which you feed them 6 hours apart if you adjust the schedule towards the evening after all the heavy exercise may have taken place.
Keep Water Available, But Monitor: We think it may be a good idea to allow your dog constant access to small amounts of water before and after meals, but avoid letting them drink large amounts in one go, especially right before or after eating.
Familiarize Yourself with Your Dog's Habits: Knowing what’s normal for your dog can help you quickly identify anything unusual.
AVOID: Research has found that moistening dry food that contains citric acid is highly associated with an increased risk of developing GDV in high-risk breeds (Raghavan, 2002). Thus, we strongly campaign to avoid moistening dry dog food, such as kibble, that contains citric acid. Read your dry dog food's ingredient list before adding any water, bone broth, or the like to your Doberman’s bowl. Before you rush to take away your dog’s water completely before or after a meal: this process is likely more dependent on the pre-activation of citric acid via potentially changing the food characteristics that are less likely to happen in the stomach when hydrochloric acid has entered the equation already. However, as mentioned earlier, limiting the water intake is still recommended.
Emergency Response to Bloat:
If you suspect your Doberman has bloat, it's crucial to act immediately:
Have Simethicone on Hand: For simethicone dosage for your Doberman, click this link. While the link provides some guidance on dosage, because sizes and medical conditions vary, and due to the serious nature of bloat, it's imperative to consult with your veterinarian about the appropriate dosage for your specific dog ahead of time. Always have the correct dosage written down and keep the medication in an accessible location in case of an emergency.
Do Not Attempt Home Remedies Alone: While having a product with Simethicone like ‘Bloat Buster’ on hand to give to your dog at the first signs of bloat is important to buy you some time potentially, do not rely on any home remedy alone. Simethicone is not a cure. Leave for the emergency vet right away.
Transport to a Veterinarian Immediately: Bloat is a true emergency requiring professional medical attention, and GDV needs surgery (often combined with Gastropexy, a procedure where the stomach gets tacked to the abdominal wall since GDV tends to occur again once it happens).
Keep Calm and Offer Comfort: Your calm demeanor can help reduce stress for your pet during transport.
Prepare for Immediate Surgery: Many cases of bloat require surgery to untwist the stomach and anchor it in place to prevent recurrence.
Genetic Component
Recent studies have suggested a significant genetic component to the development of GDV, indicating that certain breeds and familial lines are more predisposed to this condition (Case et al., 2011). This genetic predisposition means that dogs with close relatives who have experienced GDV are at a higher risk themselves. Understanding the hereditary aspect of GDV is crucial for breeders and owners alike, as it can inform breeding practices and preventive measures to reduce the incidence of this devastating condition.
Stay Informed
Bloat in Dobermans is a serious and often rapid condition that demands immediate attention. By understanding the symptoms and taking preventative measures, you can reduce your pet's risk. However, knowing how to react when faced with this emergency can make all the difference. Always prioritize getting your dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible if bloat is suspected.
By staying informed and vigilant, Doberman owners can ensure their pets lead healthier, happier lives.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other healthcare professional. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease or prescribe any medication or other treatment. Always consult with your veterinarian or other qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your pet's healthcare regimen, especially if they have or suspect they may have a health problem. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions, products, or procedures mentioned in this article. The use of this information is at the reader's discretion and risk.
References
Brady, C. (2021). Feeding dogs. The science behind the dry versus raw debate. Farrow Road Publishing.
Buckley, L.A. (2016). Are Dogs That eat quickly more likely to develop a gastric dilatation (+/- Volvulus) than dogs that eat slowly?. Veterinary Evidence, 1(4). https://veterinaryevidence.org/index.php/ve/article/view/53
Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M.G., & Foess Raasch, M. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition: A resource for companion animal professionals (3rd ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
Hill, K. (2013). Gastric dilatation and volvulus in working dogs. https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=5709943&pid=11372&print=1
Raghavan, M. (2002). Diet -related risk factors for gastric dilatation -volvulus in dogs of high -risk breeds: A nested case-control study (Publication No. 3099198) [Doctoral dissertation, Purdue University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. https://www.proquest.com/docview/305538344
Raghavan, M., Glickman, N., McCabe, G., Lantz, G., & Glickman, L. T. (2004). Diet-related risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs of high-risk breeds. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 40(3), 192–203. https://doi.org/10.5326/0400192
