Bloated Bellies & Twisted Tummies: Understanding Bloat and GDV in Dogs
As dog lovers, we’re all familiar with that post-dinner “food baby” our pups sometimes sport after scarfing down their kibble like it's the last meal on Earth. But when a dog’s belly looks too full, hard, and painful—especially out of the blue—it might be more than just overeating. We’re talking about bloat, and its far scarier cousin, GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus).
Let’s dive into what these conditions are, how to spot them, and what to do—we also share the firsthand account of a dog owner who has dealt with their dog’s GDV diagnosis and subsequent surgery/recovery.
What Is Bloat in Dogs, Anyway?
Bloat (medically known as gastric dilatation) is when a dog’s stomach fills up with gas, food, or fluid and begins to expand. Think of it like a balloon inflating—only that balloon is inside your dog, pressing on organs and restricting blood flow.
Scary, right? But it can get worse.
In some cases, the stomach doesn’t just puff up—it twists. That’s GDV, or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. The stomach flips on itself, cutting off blood supply to vital organs and trapping everything inside. GDV is a life-threatening emergency. We repeat: life-threatening.
When Ziggy the Saint Bernard started to foam at the mouth and dry heave on a summer day, Maria knew that something was wrong. When she first adopted Ziggy, she had been forewarned that large dog breeds, such as Saint Bernards, can be prone to issues like bloat. Large dog breeds tend to eat and drink a lot, so there is the opportunity for gas to build up if it is not released through burping, for example.
On this particular summer day, Maria had given her dog a lot of water to drink to fend off the heat. After beginning to exhibit symptoms in the car, she let Ziggy outside and noticed that he was starting to arch his back, which was not normal behavior for him. Maria immediately called her vet and was told to bring Ziggy in right away. Her vet let her know that with GDV, there is a short window of time in which to resolve the issue, so she rushed Ziggy to the vet where he was quickly prepped for emergency surgery.
Warning Signs: When It’s More Than a Full Belly
Bloat and GDV don’t always come with a neon sign flashing “Emergency,” but there are some red flags to look out for:
Possible Symptoms of Bloat and GDV:
Distended (swollen) abdomen – tight like a drum
Unsuccessful attempts to vomit – gagging with nothing coming out
Excessive drooling
Restlessness or pacing
Rapid or shallow breathing
Signs of pain – whining, guarding their belly, or resisting touch
Sudden weakness or collapse
If you see one or more of these signs, don’t wait it out—head to the emergency vet immediately. Minutes matter with GDV.
Who’s at Risk?
While bloat and GDV can occur in any dog, certain breeds and traits raise the risk.
Dogs More Prone to Bloat/GDV:
Large and giant breeds (Great Danes, Weimaraners, St. Bernards, etc.)
Deep-chested breeds (think greyhounds and boxers)
Dogs that eat fast, gulp air, or eat one large meal per day
Dogs with a family history of bloat
Age can also be a factor—older dogs are more susceptible.
Treatment: What Happens at the Vet?
If your vet suspects bloat or GDV, they’ll act fast:
Stabilization – IV fluids to prevent shock, oxygen if needed.
Imaging – X-rays confirm if the stomach has twisted.
Stomach decompression – releasing gas with a tube or needle.
Surgery (for GDV) – untwisting the stomach and possibly a gastropexy (surgically attaching the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent future twisting).
Survival rates are significantly higher the sooner treatment begins. With GDV, time is truly of the essence. For Ziggy, surgery lasted for 3 hours and involved a simple turning of the stomach, as well as tacking the stomach to the abdominal wall so that it could not twist again. Ziggy can still get bloat again, but the situation will no longer be life threatening for him. Maria now makes sure that Ziggy stays as still as possible for about 30 minutes after eating, and she listens for an audible release of gas from him.
Prevention Tips: Can You Stop Bloat from Happening?
You can’t 100% prevent bloat, but you can reduce the risk:
Feed smaller, more frequent meals.
Avoid heavy exercise right before or after eating.
Use slow-feeder bowls to prevent rapid gulping.
Keep water available at all times, but don’t let your dog chug a gallon right after a romp.
If you have a high-risk breed, talk to your vet about prophylactic gastropexy—a preventive surgery that’s often done during spay/neuter.
After his surgery, Ziggy needed to be on bedrest for about 2 weeks (which is difficult for a dog to manage), but Maria did her best to ensure he didn’t move or go out more than necessary. He had to eat soft foods at first, and Maria was told that he might not be able to eat his normal diet for 2-3 months after the procedure. However, luckily, Ziggy made a faster than expected recovery and is officially back to normal one and a half months after surgery.
Final Woofs
Bloat and GDV are no laughing matter, but knowledge is power. Catching the signs early and knowing what to do can literally save your dog’s life. So while it’s okay to chuckle at your pup’s food-induced naps and happy-tummy sighs, keep a watchful eye on any suspicious swelling or strange behavior.
Maria would caution all owners of breeds that can get bloat and GDV to monitor their dogs’ eating and drinking habits carefully, take note of whether they are releasing gas afterwards, and act quickly if anything seems abnormal.
Because when it comes to bloat, it’s better to be the overly cautious dog parent than the one who didn’t act in time.
Stay alert, stay informed—and give that pup belly rubs (gently).
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