Pet Health Information

This condition can occur in deep-chested dogs, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors. Most often, bloating can occur when a dog

•   Exercises immediately after eating;
•   Ingests large amounts of air while rapidly drinking water; or
•   Pants heavily due to anxiety or excitement.

The most obvious symptoms are

•   An enlarged abdomen,
•   Laboured breathing,
•   Excessive drooling,
•   Vomiting,
•   A weak pulse, and
•   Paleness in the nose and mouth.

Your dog may arrive dehydrated – this is common after a long journey. In order to prevent GDV, we recommend you rehydrate your pet slowly according to these instructions:

•   Start with a small amount of water.
•   Slightly increase the amount of water every 30 minutes until your dog is fully hydrated.
•   Resist the urge to exercise your dog after they ingest water or food.

GDV can be lethal. If your dog has the symptoms of GDV, we recommend you take your dog to the nearest animal emergency hospital, as vet clinics do not always have the means to surgically deal with GDV.