Let’s look at the causes of bloat in dogs, the symptoms, and how veterinarians treat bloat in dogs.

What is Bloat? 

Bloat is a condition when a dog’s stomach gets over distended (swollen) with food and/or gas. The normal functions that typically allow food or gas to be dispelled, such as burping or normal digestion, is disrupted due to increased pressure in the stomach.  

The condition becomes particularly dangerous when a dog’s stomach turns on itself, which is known as gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). GDV is the life-threatening form of bloat in dogs that requires immediate, emergency treatment.

Only about 25 in 1,000 dogs experience bloat, but even in dogs that seek treatment, the mortality rate remains around 15 percent based on statistics reported by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. 

Causes of Bloat in Dogs

Veterinarians and researchers have not been able to determine the exact cause of bloat and GDV in dogs, but there are certain things that can increase a dog’s risk of developing bloat.

Several studies have been conducted to pin down risk factors for bloat. One study found that dogs fed large volumes of food once per day were more at risk, and another study found that the risk of GDV in general increases with age.

Of note, a dog’s body shape and breed are both well-researched factors contributing to bloat. Typically, large-breed dogs are more at risk. However, some small dogs with deep chests, such as Dachshunds, may have a higher chance of suffering from this dangerous condition than other small-breed dogs. 

What breeds are more at risk for GDV (bloat)?

Breeds that are more likely to be at risk of bloat and GDV include:

• Akita
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Bloodhound
• Borzoi
• Boxer
• Bullmastiff
• Chow Chow
• Collie
• Curly Coated Retriever
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Longhaired Pointer
• German Shepherd
• Gordon Setter
• Great Dane
• Great Pyrenees
• Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
• Greyhound
• Irish Setter
• Irish Wolfhound
• Labrador Retriever
• Leonberger
• Mastiff
• Newfoundland
• Old English Sheepdog
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Saint Bernard
• Scottish Deerhound
• Standard Poodle
• Weimaraner

While these breeds are typically more at risk, all dogs can experience bloat. It’s important to be vigilant and know the warning signs even if your dog’s breed is not on this list.

What are other risk factors for bloat in dogs?

Not only is a dog’s breed a risk factor, but a dog’s genetics can also predispose him to suffering from bloat. If your dog has a family history of bloat and GDV, he is at higher risk.

Eating behaviors may also contribute to a dog’s likelihood of developing bloat. Dogs that only eat one meal per day, eat their food very quickly, or exercise right after eating are more likely to experience bloat as opposed to dogs that eat slowly or are fed a few small meals per day. Anxious dogs may also inhale and ingest more gas, increasing their risk.

Feeding from an elevated food bowl can also increase the risk of bloat in dogs. This set-up may lead to increased and repetitive air swallowing. 

Finally, dogs that have had their spleens removed (splenectomy surgery) are at higher risk of developing GDV because they have extra space around their stomachs. 

Symptoms of Bloat in Dogs

It is important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms and signs of bloat in dogs so that you can seek immediate veterinary care. If not treated with urgency, bloat can lead to irreparable harm and even death.

The most common signs—which typically show up shortly after eating—are: 

• General anxiousness
• Looking at the abdomen
• Standing and stretching
• Drooling
• A swollen (distended) abdomen
• Retching without producing anything

What are the phases of GDV (bloat)?

The progression of bloat in dogs often happens swiftly and severely. Veterinarians chart the timeline in four phases. Familiarize yourself with them in order to recognize the warning signs and get your dog the appropriate care:

Pre-Bloat. Dogs who have just eaten and who engage in some of the risk factors of GDV (like intense exercise, large gulps of water, or large amounts of swallowed air) may show signs of pre-bloat. This phase occurs when gas accumulates in the stomach but does not empty as it should. Your dog may seem slightly uncomfortable but is otherwise acting as normal.

Phase I. If the gas does not clear from your dog’s stomach, he may enter into Phase I of GDV. This phase occurs as the stomach starts to dilate and twist. Your dog will now start to act anxious and restless, pacing around the house and retching without any food coming out.

Phase II. Blood supply to the stomach occurs in Phase II and shock begins to settle in. Physical symptoms in your dog will intensify: he will be very restless, start salivating copiously, and his gums will become a dark red color.

Phase III. In the final phase of bloat in dogs, the spleen and stomach tissue become necrotic. Your dog’s heart begins to fail and the shock becomes irreversible. Unfortunately, if a dog’s bloat has progressed to this point, it likely means he will succumb to it.

If you see any early signs of bloat or GDV—especially a dog that is retching without throwing up anything—get your dog to an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible. Dogs that show later signs, such as collapse or weakness in their hind legs, are already extremely sick and may be more difficult to treat and save.   

Diagnosing Bloat in Dogs

Your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian will work quickly to diagnose bloat in dogs. Your vet will conduct a physical examination and look for a distended and painful abdomen that is firm or hard. The dog may also appear nauseated in the early stages and may continue to exhibit other symptoms of bloat. 

In more advanced cases, a dog’s blood pressure may be low and their heart rate may be high, which can help veterinarians diagnose dogs with bloat. Some dogs will also exhibit difficulty breathing.

Abdominal X-rays will show a large, gas-filled stomach. If the stomach has rotated, there will be a “double bubble” effect on the X-rays, which can confirm GDV.  

Veterinarians may also perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for an increased heart rate and premature ventricular contractions in the heart, which are two common cardiac complications of GDV.    

Although not critical to the diagnosis, blood tests can help your veterinarian determine if there is any additional internal damage secondary to the rotation of a dog’s stomach.  

Bloat Treatment for Dogs

If a dog’s stomach has rotated, emergency surgery is required. This includes rotating the stomach back to its normal position and suturing the stomach to the interior body wall to prevent rotation in the future. 

Prior to surgery, depending on your dog’s signs and symptoms, a veterinarian may try to decompress the stomach. This will happen by passing a tube through the dog’s mouth into the stomach to evacuate its contents and remove the gas. If the vet is unable to pass a tube, then veterinarians may perform another procedure where a needle is passed through the dog’s body wall into the stomach to remove the gas from inside the stomach. This procedure can cause damage to the stomach and there is also risk of lacerating the liver or spleen, so it must be performed carefully. Dogs are usually sedated for this procedure. 

After decompression and treatment with IV fluid therapy and pain medication, your veterinarian will assess the need for surgery. Even in cases of bloat without GDV, surgery may be recommended to prevent future episodes. 

Dogs that undergo successful bloat surgery require very close post-operative monitoring and care. They are usually kept in the hospital for at least 2-3 days and given IV fluids, antibiotics, and pain medications.

Unfortunately, even dogs that receive treatment for bloat may not make it and prognosis is guarded. The earlier you seek treatment, the better chance your dog has of survival and recovery. 

General Cost to Treat Bloat in Dogs

This emergency can be quite expensive to treat since dogs with bloat or GDV are critically ill before, during, and after surgery.   

The average cost of diagnostics, treatment, and post-operative hospitalization will likely be between $3,000-$10,000 depending on where you live and if your dog is treated at an overnight emergency facility or at your local veterinary office. 

Preventing Bloat and GDV

While some risk factors of bloat cannot be controlled—such as genetics or breed predisposition—there are things that pet parents can do to help prevent their dogs from experiencing bloat and GDV. 

Non-surgical ways to prevent bloat in dogs

Providing high-quality nutrition is the first place to start. You should also put practices in place to slow down your dog’s eating. Slow feeder bowls or food puzzles can help prevent dogs from eating too fast and gulping in too much air. If you are concerned about bloat in dogs, or have a dog breed that is at a higher risk of developing bloat, you should avoid using an elevated dog bowl and place dog bowls directly on the floor. Smaller meals offered more frequently can also be helpful for prevention. 

If your pet is anxious, talk to your vet about herbal or prescription medications and other modifications you can make at home to prevent anxiety from progressing to GDV.  

Certain underlying gastrointestinal diseases like decreased gastric motility (characterized by abnormal intestinal contractions) or delayed gastric emptying (where the stomach doesn’t empty food as quickly as it should) can be risk factors for GDV. If your pet has these conditions, your pet may need medication to treat these signs to prevent a subsequent episode of bloat and GDV. 

Surgical intervention to prevent GDV (bloat)

If your dog is at high risk for bloat, or has recently experienced it, your veterinarian may recommend a surgical procedure called a Gastropexy. This procedure may be used as a prophylactic or as a treatment to regularly recurring bloat.

Gastropexy is a surgical intervention that involves “tacking” the dog’s stomach to the side of its body cavity. This strategy aims to keep the stomach in place, preventing it from twisting and cutting off the blood supply to vital organs. Gastropexies can be performed either via a traditional surgery or laparoscopically using a small incision and camera.

While surgery should only be performed if necessary, gastropexies are statistically very safe and effective. Recurrence rates of GDV fall on average from 55% to 4% after a gastropexy is performed. As with any medical concern you may have, always consult your veterinarian for the most personalized advice for your dog.

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In 2019, less than 4 percent of cats who were tested in the United States tested positive for giardia, according to data from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). 

Cats who frequent the outdoors or who live in certain geographic locations could be exposed to giardia at higher rates. States that have increased prevalence include: 

• California
• Oregon
• Texas
• Georgia
• New York
• New Jersey

Because symptoms of giardia infection in cats can be easy to miss or completely absent, it’s important to understand what the disease is and how to help your pet.  

What is Giardia in Cats?

Giardia is a single-celled organism that colonizes the small intestines of cats. It is transmitted by ingesting water or debris that have been contaminated with infected feces. 

In the intestines, giardia appears as a motile organism, meaning it’s capable of movement. When it is shed into the environment, it is in the form of a cyst that is resistant to cold weather, freezing, and chlorination, making it stable for a long time. 

Most commonly, cats do not exhibit clinical signs of giardia, and the diagnosis is made on a routine fecal screening that veterinarians recommend annually. 

What Causes a Giardia Infection?

Cats can become infected with giardia by ingesting cysts in contaminated water, dirt, or food bowls. It is considered to be contagious among cats.  

Even if one cat in a multi-cat household does not exhibit signs but is diagnosed with giardia, it’s recommended to test all the cats in the household and treat for the infection. Careful hygiene practices can also limit persistence of giardia in the environment.  

Although giardia is considered to be zoonotic, meaning it’s passable from cats to humans, it is rare to diagnose feline giardia in a human or human giardia in a cat. Transmission from cats to dogs, and vice versa, is also unlikely. Each giardia species typically prefers its respective host.  

Giardia in Cats Symptoms

As mentioned before, cats often do not exhibit clinical signs of giardia, even when infected. If your cat does develop symptoms, they will typically occur within five to 16 days of ingesting giardia cysts. Symptoms of giardia in cats may include: 

• Chronic persistent diarrhea
• Acute onset diarrhea 
• Lack of appetite 
• Vomiting
• Weight loss/poor body condition 

The diarrhea is caused by the parasite damaging the intestinal cells, leading to maldigestion, malabsorption, and subsequent diarrhea. Usually there is no blood in the feces.

Your veterinarian may recommend testing for giardia if your cat exhibits signs of gastrointestinal (GI) upset, such as vomiting, weight loss, or poor appetite. However, the direct link between these clinical signs and giardiasis is unclear.  

Diagnosing Your Cat with a Giardia Infection

If you are concerned that your cat may have giardia, your veterinarian can perform a fecal examination to look for the infection. 

However, giardia can be elusive. That’s because host cats shed the cysts intermittently and they can also be difficult to identify by fecal analysis. 

The difficulty in identification can be secondary to the small size of the organism as well as its similar appearance to other organisms that may appear in feces. 

It is important to screen all cats at least annually for giardia so it is not missed, even in indoor-only cats. This will not only help prevent illness in your cat but also limit the spread of infection to other pets and people.

Fecal testing should always be done in conjunction with a physical examination since positive fecal tests require treatment.

Depending on the patient, bloodwork and urinalysis testing may also be recommended as part of the annual exam but is not specific to a diagnosis of giardia. 

How to Treat Giardia in Cats

In many cases, giardia that causes diarrhea in a cat may indicate other underlying GI disease, so a thorough review of history and clinical signs as well as treatment options is recommended. 

Due to the possibility of giardia-induced diarrhea in a cat being secondary to underlying GI disease, other recommendations, such as diet changes, may be helpful. 

The prognosis for cats with giardiasis is excellent, although it can prove challenging to actually eliminate the disease. 

Medication for Giardia in Cats

No drugs are specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of giardiasis but many are commonly used for this infection.  

Fenbendazole (Panacur) given at a dose of 50 mg/kg for five days has shown efficacy in dogs and likely cats but is not approved in cats. Even without being approved, it is still commonly used as a treatment for giardia in cats. 

Additionally, metronidazole at a dose of 15-20 mg/kg for five to 10 days can help to treat the infection. 

General Cost of Treatment for Giardia in Cats

The cost of diagnosis and treatment for giardia in cats may vary based on region as well as the full clinical presentation of the cat. A fecal test including a giardia ELISA antigen test should cost between $50 and $100. Treatment should fall into the same range.  

If additional tests (e.g., bloodwork, urinalysis, imaging) are needed based on the findings of the physical exam, diagnostic costs could increase. 

How to Prevent Giardia in Cats

Education directed toward preventing the spread of giardia and preventing infection in the first place is very helpful, since clearing infection is so challenging.   

In multi-pet households, hygiene is extremely important. If a pet is diagnosed with giardia, bathing all of the pets is helpful to get any cysts off the fur and prevent the pet from ingesting cysts during normal grooming behaviors. Also, cleaning the environment, including washing any bedding in hot water and bleach, can be very helpful.  

Fecal matter should be removed from the pet’s environment, especially if the fecal matter contains giardia. In general, when walking your pet or living with an indoor-only cat, be wise to limit contact with fecal matter as much as possible.  

Removing your shoes when entering the house, washing the paws of dogs who walk outside and could carry feline or canine giardia into the house, and washing your hands when you return from a dog walk can help prevent the spread of giardia and other parasites in your environment.

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This disease relates to a cat’s thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the neck of cats and produces essential hormones that regulate metabolic rates and other cardiac function. 

Learn more about the symptoms and causes of hyperthyroidism in cats and explore treatment options to discuss with your veterinarian. 

What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland in cats. It represents the most commonly diagnosed feline metabolic disorder. 

In many cats, a nodule (adenoma) or benign tumor will develop on the thyroid gland, which causes the gland to go rogue and overproduce thyroid hormones. When this happens, the cat’s body does not listen to normal feedback mechanisms that would normally signal the thyroid to shut off production of hormones when they reach adequate levels. 

The excess thyroid hormones lead to side effects including increased hunger, weight loss, increased thirst and urination, and hair and coat problems. 

What Causes Hyperthyroidism in Cats?

As mentioned, hyperthyroidism results from the overproduction of thyroid hormones caused by a nodule or benign tumor that grows on a cat’s thyroid. This develops due to an overactive thyroid gland. 

The disease may arise secondary to a poor quality diet or exposure to flame-retardant chemicals (polychlorinated biphenyl or polybrominated diphenyl ethers) that are present in food or the environment (2). There’s evidence that these chemicals are found in air fresheners, upholstered furniture, and fish-flavored or fish-containing cat foods.

Some cat breeds and certain regions are more likely to be affected by hyperthyroidism. Domestic short and longhaired cats are more likely to develop the disease. Siberian, Tonkinese, Siamese, Burmese and Abyssinian cat breeds are less likely to be affected (3).

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats

At home, pet owners may notice weight loss, muscle weakness, or what is called cervical ventroflexion, which is when a cat’s head and neck hang towards the ground. Pet parents may also see increased hunger and thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in their cat’s hair and nails. 

Some cats—though very few—will present with signs of lethargy or lack of interest in food. Additionally, cats suffering from hyperthyroidism may be unusually aggressive. 

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Weight Loss
• Increased thirst and urination
• Increased appetite
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Overgrowth of toenails 
• Muscle weakness
• Cardiac changes including elevated heart rate, arrhythmias, heart murmur or high blood pressure 
• Increased respiratory rate or difficulty breathing 

Diagnosing Hyperthyroidism in Cats 

To diagnose your cat with hyperthyroidism, your veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam and look for symptoms that may be difficult to detect at home including difficulty breathing, heart murmurs, elevated blood pressure or changes in the rhythm of the heart beat. 

The vet may also be able to feel a nodule or benign tumor on the thyroid, known as a goiter.   

Your veterinarian will also likely test blood cell counts and thyroid hormone levels and conduct a urinalysis. 

If a cat has cardiac abnormalities on examination, chest X-rays and possibly an ultrasound of the heart are also appropriate tests to diagnose hyperthyroidism and rule out secondary complications. An example of a secondary condition is called thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy, which is thickening of the heart muscle due to elevated thyroid levels. 

How to Treat Hyperthyroidism in Cats

To treat hyperthyroidism in cats, your veterinarian may use an injection of radioactive iodine, called I-131. 

This treatment—which is also used in humans to treat thyroid disorders and thyroid cancer—actually cures the disease in cats by shrinking the nodule on the thyroid and restoring hormone levels back to normal. 

This treatment must be performed by licensed specialists who are trained to administer radioactive iodine.  

There is also oral medication that can be used in the management of hyperthyroidism in cats. This medication is called methimazole and can be given throughout a cat’s life to stabilize hormone levels. Methimazole is available as an FDA approved drug, and when appropriate for your cat as determined by your veterinarian, compounded forms. If you have trouble giving your cat a tablet, your veterinarian may prescribe an alternate dose form, such as an oral liquid or transdermal gel, that can be made by a compounding pharmacy for easier administration. Methimazole will not cure hyperthyroidism in cats.

Cat Food for Hyperthyroidism

In cases where medication and radioactive iodine injections are not available, diets that restrict iodine and limit the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones may be suggested. However, dietary changes alone are not considered a gold standard of treatment for this disease. 

Hyperthyroidism Prognosis for Cats

Without treatment, hyperthyroidism will significantly compromise a cat’s lifespan and can be fatal, usually due to cardiac issues that develop as a result of hyperthyroidism. 

If managing the disease with oral medication, lifespan may still be shortened but not to the degree it would be without any treatment.

If cats are given the I-131 injection, their lifespan should not be impacted, since the treatment is meant to cure the disease.

Cost to Treat Hyperthyroidism in Cats

The cost to treat hyperthyroidism in cats will vary by region, especially when considering I-131 treatment.  

However, a general price range for radiation therapy, which is usually administered once, is $1,500-$3,000.  

The cost of oral medication to treat hyperthyroidism in cats is closer to $30-$50 per month. However, over the life of the pet, the cost of oral medication and required medical follow up (bloodwork, vet visits) may rival the cost of a one-time I-131 injection.

How to Prevent Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Because there are many different factors that may contribute to cat hyperthyroidism, there is no specific way to prevent the disease.   

Prevention of exposure to PCBs and PBDEs and limiting fish-based cat food may help.

Also, frequent annual visits to your veterinarian may help with early diagnosis and treatment, which limits the possibility of your cat developing secondary issues including cardiac disease and muscle weakness.  

Related Conditions

•     Hypertension in Cats
•     Thyrotoxic Cardiomyopathy
•     Heart Disease in Cats

Covetrus encourages the use of an FDA approved product whenever possible, within a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). However, we realize that in order to achieve a desired therapeutic outcome, a customized compounded preparation may be necessary. Covetrus compounding pharmacies, a fully PCAB accredited pharmacy with compliance to USP 795/797/800 standards along with a registered cGMP 503B outsourcing facility means you can be confident in the quality of every medication order.

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