Great Dane Care
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This condition is very serious and without a good vet, often fatal especially in giant breeds, Irish setters, blood hounds and Dobermans.
Signs
The first signs are of the dog being very restless, they start to pace up and down and then try to vomit. Nothing comes up except plenty of frothy saliva. Dogs have collapsed with pain and dropped down. They seem to lose any concentration on the owner and just seem to want to wander around the edge of their territory. Their abdomen will feel tense and at this stage they may not show a distended rib cage and abdomen.
Sometimes it will be extend and if flicked with a finger sound like hollow drum. Antacid preparations can be give and they have worked a few times but should be always followed by a vets visit.
CALL THE VET IMMEDIATELY WHATEVER THE TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT. YOU HAVE A VERY SHORT TIME TO SAVE YOUR DOG. INSIST ON BEING SEEN.
Get there as quickly as possible, a bumpy ride may help!! Most vets will be prepared and waiting for you, everybody else will have to wait. Your Dane will be examined. Often a drip will be put in to administer a sedative to help to slow the process down and to prevent further stress and give pain relief. If time allows then x-rays and /or ultra-sounds are performed ensure the correct diagnosis.
The next procedure you will not normally see, is the dog being given an anaesthetic and a tube passed into its stomach to remove the gas and stomach contents. If the tube cannot get into the stomach then it is a full torsion i.e. the stomach has twisted and must be operated on to correct this. Speed is vital or it could burst. The stomach acid is also attacking the lining causing permanent damage.
The abdomen is opened and the stomach carefully turned so the gas can escape. It is normal for the stomach now to be stitched to the abdomen as this condition often returns. This procedure stops a full twist again but another bloat can occur with is very painful and still life threatening.
After the operation normally the dog will need at least 24-48 hours in the Vets surgery to recover. They have to drink and then eat a small meal before allowed home.
Small meals 3-4 a day are necessary and a special diet for a few days with a slow return to normal feeding if at all possible, they may have to have small frequent feeds for a lot longer. The abdominal stitches are usually removed after 10 days at the vets.
Causes
Nobody knows what causes these dogs to suffer this condition - if we did, it wouldn’t happen. In our case we can always refer to a stress that could have caused it. Yet we know other dogs that had it while asleep. At Great Dane Care, we have had 3 cases of twisted spleen as well as gastric torsion , the spleen torsion being before the gastric condition every time. Other medical conditions such as heart diseases can also predispose dogs to this condition. Stress caused by bitches in season, lactation in newly whelped bitches, aggression for any reason and over exhaustion either exercise or travelling long distances or a food change, can cause bloat.
Prevention
Feed a good quality food and present it as per manufacturers instructions.
Now it is recommended that we feed on the floor, we would prefer it about 12 inches above the floor but not above shoulder level!!
Never feed when the dog has had heavy exercise, newly returned from a long journey or stressed.
Avoid competition between dogs.
If a bitch is in season avoid the males from knowing if at all possible. If they are not being used as part of a breeding programme neuter both sexes or only keep one sex.
Check your Dane regularly especially after feeding. This is important at special times when the routine is changed such as Christmas, holidays, boarding and bonfire nights.
If you see any signs GET TO THE VET. DON’T WAIT.
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