What to Know About Bloat (Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus)
When a Swollen Belly Becomes an Emergency
You know your dog better than anyone. When they start acting off, pacing, drooling, trying to throw up but nothing comes out; it’s a sign something’s wrong. If their belly suddenly looks round or feels tight, that’s not just gas or discomfort. That could be bloat, and it can get serious fast.
What’s really happening is simple but dangerous. The stomach fills with air or food and stretches too far. In some dogs, it twists over on itself. Once that happens, nothing can move in or out. The pressure builds and blood flow stops. The stomach presses on the lungs and heart. Breathing gets hard, and shock can follow.
Dogs feel it right away. They’re scared. They can’t lie down, can’t get comfortable, and keep trying to vomit. Their belly feels firm, like a drum. It keeps getting worse the longer it goes.
At Revive, we see this most in big, deep-chested dogs like Great Danes, German Shepherds, Boxers, and Standard Poodles. But it can happen to any breed, any size, any age. Sometimes it’s after eating too fast. Other times, it just happens. There’s no clear reason.
The only thing that always helps is getting to a vet fast. The sooner your dog gets care, the better their chance to pull through. If you ever see these signs, go straight to the hospital. Don’t wait, don’t try home remedies. Minutes matter more than anything.
What Causes Bloat in Dogs
There’s no single reason a dog bloats. It usually happens because a few things line up the wrong way — the dog’s build, how they eat, or what they do right after.
Big, deep-chested dogs are the ones we worry about most. Their stomach has more room to shift inside the chest, and that’s what can lead to trouble. Great Danes, Weimaraners, and Shepherds are the usual suspects, but any dog can be hit by it.
How they eat can make a difference too. Dogs that inhale their food, eat once a day, or drink a ton of water right after are more likely to trap air in their stomach. If they run around or jump right after eating, that adds to the risk.
Older dogs seem to have it harder, maybe because their muscles aren’t as strong. And anxious dogs? They tend to swallow more air when they eat or pant. That can build up gas fast.
Sometimes, though, there’s no reason at all. A dog can live on the same food for years and one random night, it happens. That’s why it catches people off guard.
You can’t always stop it, but you can lower the odds. Feed smaller meals instead of one big one. Slow down fast eaters with a puzzle bowl. Keep things calm after mealtime. And for dogs that are high-risk, there’s a surgery called a gastropexy that keeps the stomach from twisting — worth asking your vet about.
Emergency Treatment and Surgery
When a dog with bloat comes through the door, everything happens fast. There’s no waiting, no paperwork talk, just hands moving. We get an IV started right away, give pain medicine, and start oxygen if they’re struggling to breathe. Sometimes we have to release the gas in the stomach with a tube or a needle just to give them a little relief.
Once the dog is stable enough, we go to surgery. The vet opens the belly and untwists the stomach. We look at the color of the stomach wall. If it’s pale or dark, it means the blood supply was cut off. Sometimes a small section has to be removed. Once things look right again, the vet tacks the stomach to the side of the body wall so it can’t twist later. That’s called a gastropexy.
After surgery, the dog isn’t out of the woods yet. They stay on fluids, pain meds, and heart monitors for a few days. We keep them warm and quiet. The first night is the hardest. After that, most start to lift their heads, lick a hand, or even wag a little.
It’s a rough surgery, but many dogs pull through. The biggest difference is how fast they got here. The ones who make it in early, those are the dogs we get to see walk back out the door.
Life After Bloat and How to Prevent It From Happening Again
Once a dog gets through surgery and starts healing, the focus shifts to keeping them comfortable and making sure it never happens again. Recovery isn’t quick, but most dogs do well once they’re home.
For the first few weeks, rest is the biggest rule. No running, no jumping, and no rough play. Food is given in small portions throughout the day instead of one big meal. Water is the same, small amounts often, not a full bowl all at once. Some dogs need a bland or prescription diet at first, depending on how their stomach handled surgery.
You’ll see changes in energy little by little. The first tail wag. The short walk outside. Then a normal appetite again. Most dogs bounce back surprisingly well once the soreness fades.
To help prevent another episode, keep meals calm. Avoid excitement or exercise before and after eating. If your dog tends to inhale food, use a slow-feed or puzzle bowl. It slows them down and helps limit the amount of air they swallow.
Stress can also play a role, so keep routines steady. Some dogs with anxious personalities do better when feeding times and portions stay the same every day.
If your dog had a gastropexy during surgery, that helps a lot. It doesn’t guarantee they’ll never bloat again, but it makes the chances of a full twist much lower. Still, watch for the same warning signs: a tight belly, dry heaving, pacing, or restlessness. Even with surgery, it’s better to act fast than assume everything’s fine.
Follow-up visits matter, too. We check incision sites, appetite, and general comfort during recovery. If anything feels off after you get home, call right away. It’s always better to ask than to wait.
Getting through bloat is scary. Most owners say they never want to go through it again, and that’s understandable. But the good news is many dogs go on to live long, healthy lives after surgery. With a little care and attention, they usually go right back to being their happy, goofy selves.
FAQs About Bloat (Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus)
1. Can cats get bloat like dogs do?
Not really. Cats rarely experience true bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Their stomachs and eating habits make this condition extremely uncommon. If a cat’s belly looks swollen, it’s usually caused by something else such as gas from intestinal issues, fluid buildup, or infection; not a twisted stomach. Any sudden bloating in a cat still needs urgent veterinary care to find the cause.
2. How can I tell if my dog might have bloat? Early warning signs include restlessness, drooling, trying to vomit without bringing anything up, and a swollen or tight belly. Dogs may also pace, pant heavily, or show signs of pain. If you see these symptoms, go to an emergency vet immediately; minutes count.
3. Can bloat be prevented?
You can lower the risk, but not eliminate it entirely. Feeding smaller meals several times a day, slowing down fast eaters with puzzle bowls, and avoiding exercise right before or after meals can all help. For large, deep-chested breeds, talk to your vet about a preventive surgery called a gastropexy, which helps keep the stomach from twisting in the future.
4. What happens during surgery for bloat?
Once your dog is stabilized, the veterinarian performs surgery to untwist the stomach and remove any damaged tissue. The surgeon will then do a gastropexy, which attaches the stomach to the body wall to prevent it from twisting again. Most dogs spend a few days in intensive care afterward for close monitoring and pain control.
5. What’s the recovery like after bloat surgery?
Recovery takes time, usually about two to four weeks. Dogs need rest, a controlled diet, and limited activity. Your vet will provide instructions for medications and follow-up visits. Even though bloat is serious, many dogs recover fully and go on to live normal, happy lives when it’s treated quickly.
