What Is Meant by the Term Bloat in Dogs?
This is a term that is synonymous with the more scientific term “Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus.” It is often called GDV. That means that a dog’s stomach distends with air, twists and cuts off blood flow, to the point that the dog goes into shock and may die. Dilatation means that the stomach is distended with air, but it is located in the abdomen in its correct place. Volvulus means that the distention is associated with a twisting of the stomach on its longitudinal axis. How or Why Does This Occur? We really do not know the answer to either of those questions. Original theories suggested that it occurred when a dog ate a large meal of dry food and then drank a lot of water. The water caused the dry food to well. At the same time, the dog was supposed to be engaged in strenuous exercise that included running and jumping. That resulted in the dog’s stomach twisting on itself as the heavy organ was jostled about in the abdomen. Although that is the most common explanation given, there is n
