Did you know that bloat is a serious illness that can affect dogs of all breeds and ages? It is generally seen in large dog breeds with deep chest cavities like the Dalmatian. Bloat usually occurs when large amounts of gas, food, or liquid fill up in the stomach and are not digested. Instead they push on the stomach lining causing it to expand. The pressure can tear the stomach lining or even push the stomach into surrounding organs causing blood flow to stop to those organs. Signs that your dog may be experiencing bloat include unsuccessful attempts to vomit, anxiety, restlessness, hunched up appearance, no normal digestive sounds in the stomach, bloated or tight abdomen, whining, pacing, drooling, unsuccessful attempts to poop, heavy breathing, etc. Call your vet Las Vegas, NV immediately if you see these signs in your dog. Treatment usually calls for surgery although survival rates are rather low.
