Gastric Dilatation Volvulus or ‘Bloat’
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Submitted by For The Love of the Dog
It’s one of the most perplexing health problems in dogs and one of the most dreaded by dog owners. It can strike at any time without warning. Often described as “the silent killer,” the complex disorder Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), also called bloat, is a life-threatening emergency.
Being aware of this potential killer begins by understanding just why GDV is dangerous and deadly. It is characterized by expansion of the stomach with gas or frothy material (dilatation). The stomach does not empty normally. It is difficult for food to advance into the intestines, nor will food pass in the other direction as vomit.
