Bloat is a medical emergency! You must rush your dog to a vet immediately.

Bloat is the common name for gastric dilatation and volvulus. With bloat, a combination of food and gas causes your dog’s stomach to be stretched multiple times beyond its normal size. This bloating – technically called gastric dilatation – will cause your dog severe abdominal pain. The bloated stomach also has a tendency to rotate or twist on itself. The rotation is technically known as volvulus. When the stomach twists on itself it traps the gas within it and cuts off its blood supply.

A dog with this condition will die in a matter of hours unless emergency actions are taken.

Your dog will have an enlarged and painful abdomen. If you were to very gently thump the abdomen, it will make a noise similar to what you would hear if you were to thump a fully inflated basketball. Your dog may also try unsuccessfully to vomit, be lethargic or restless and anxious.

Dogs with deep chests are generally more susceptible to bloat. Examples of deep-chested dogs include Bloodhounds, Great Danes, Irish Setters, Mastiffs and Weimaraners.

Although it is not exactly known why a dog may bloat, it is generally thought that if a deep-chested dog eats very quickly and then exercises, the dog will be at a greater risk for developing bloat. There are also other characteristics and factors, besides being a deep-chested dog and eating too quickly, that may be linked to developing bloat. These include feeding your dog only once a day and having a dog who is underweight or is generally fearful or aggressive. Dogs over 7 years of age are at higher risk for this condition, and male dogs are more likely to bloat than are female dogs.