Public Forum Proceed to Auspet's New Discussion Forum | Pet Directory | Classifieds | Home | LinkXchange


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  Articles - Dog Care & Health
  Diseases - Coping with bloat disease in dogs

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Diseases - Coping with bloat disease in dogs
Auspetian

Administrator

Posts: 435
From:Sydney
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 05-18-2003 02:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Auspetian     Edit/Delete Message
As its name implies, bloat disease is the bloating of the stomach. This is visible as the swelling of the abdomen. The dog will show signs of discomfort and irritation. It exhibits abnormal behavior like being restless and unhappy. Sometimes, if the dog's abdomen is too bloated, it may be disabled and can't even move about. Your dog may be seen trying to vomit but there is no discharge. It may also pant excessively and show signs of distress. Bloat disease is fatal and your pet needs immediate medical attention.


In order to overcome bloat, we need to know the causes or preventive medicine for bloat. Generally nothing must be done to interfere in the digestion of food after your dog's meals. Avoid feeding your pet just before or after exercise. Feed it in a cool, quiet spot and let it take its time eating. Stress can make your dog hurriedly gulp down food and thus contribute to bloat. As bloat may be due to indigestion, it is a good idea to feed your dog 2 small meals instead of the usual 1 large meal.


It is safer to feed your pet commercially prepared dog food for a balanced diet. Food for human consumption is unsuitable for dog consumption. Some foods may release gas in their stomach and thus give bloat to the animal. Allow your dog to rest after meals as it needs time for its food to get digested. Don't give your dog stress and excitement from its surroundings. Dogs are not party animals. They can't eat or digest their food in noisy environments. They get distracted very easily.


We can't safeguard our dog form bloat completely but we can try to reduce the factors or risks contributing to bloat. Dogs like routine and consistency. Any sudden change may cause stress to the dog and upset its body systems. If you need to entrust your pet to someone else, provide all the necessary material that your pet is accustomed to having. Leave instructions about your dog's regular schedule, time of feed and quantity of food.


Veterinarians have researched into the possible factors behind bloat. Other than the ones previously mentioned, other culprits include anxiety, excessive panting and swallowing of air, gulping of water stress and bigger body structures. The last factor is a hypothesis as more bigger dogs are affected by bloat than smaller dogs. It may be due to having more space for the stomach to move about within the abdomen. Somehow, this causes bloat. Owners of large dogs need to watch out for bloat disease in their pets.

IP: Logged



All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Auspet.com


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
















© 1999-2017 AusPet.com