Food bloat in dogs | Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT, Board-certified Veterinary Specialist

Posted by justinelee in Animal Safety, Blog, Pet Health

In today’s blog, I review food bloat – when a dog eats so much and their stomach is full of food. Is this life-threatening? Do you have to take your dog to the veterinarian if your dog has food bloat?

Food bloat, also commonly called “bloat” or “gluttony bloat,” occurs when a dog (or rarely, a cat) gorges on a massive amount of food, resulting in too much air and food in the stomach. Semantically, food bloat is similar to “gastric dilatation” as it means the stomach is dilated; however, with food bloat, there’s an underlying source of the stomach distension. Typically, food bloat occurs when a dog gets into a source of food (e.g., a bag of cat food, extra bag of treats, garbage, etc.). Gastric dilatation can occur without a source of food, and may be due to other underlying medical causes such as:

• Difficulty breathing and excessive inhalation of air
• Excessive panting (due to anxiety) with excessive inhalation of air
• Delayed stomach emptying, resulting in gas trapping in the stomach (due to certain medications, a stomach tumor, pyloric hypertrophy, etc.)

While food bloat is generally not life threatening, it may require veterinary care. Most importantly, veterinary attention may be necessary to rule out a gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), which is a life-threatening medical emergency. Clinical signs of food bloat, gastric dilatation, and GDV are similar. Check out the handout on gastric dilatation-volvulus here.

The concern about food bloat is that is can be painful (due to stretching of the stomach), result in gastric upset (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea), result in pancreatitis (e.g., inflammation of the pancreas), or predispose the patient towards potentially developing a GDV.

As the stomach progressively distends, it is more likely to rotate abnormally. With more food and gas present in the stomach, food bloat dogs are more at risk for GDV and should be monitored carefully until clinical signs of food bloat resolve.

Breeds
In general, no particular one breed is predisposed to food bloat. Those dogs that are gluttonous, voracious eaters or food-motivated breeds (e.g., Labrador retrievers) are likely more predisposed. Overweight dogs on a weight-restricted diet may also be more likely to gorge if a food source is found.

Clinical signs
Pet owners should be aware of what clinical signs to look for with food bloat:

• Excessive drooling (due to nausea secondary to an over-distended stomach)
• Distended abdomen*
• Vomiting
• Inappetance/anorexia
• Excessive panting (due to a distended stomach pushing on the diaphragm, making it more difficult to breath)
• Anxiety
• A racing heart rate
• Acting painful
• Abdominal pain
• Panting excessively
• Shortness of breath
• Lethargy/listlessness
• Swollen belly that is hard or firm to the touch
• “Sprung ribs” (where the chest cavity look filled out)

*Note: Not all dogs may display a distended stomach, as the stomach normally sits under the rib cage. As the stomach distends, it may be “hidden” under the rib cage, and some dogs – particularly Standard poodles – may not demonstrate the classic “bloat.”

If you notice any of these sigs at all, seek veterinary attention immediately to make sure a GDV isn’t present. Typically, the most common clinical sign seen with a GDV is non-productive retching (as the stomach is twisted off and gas can’t be eructated or burped off) and signs of shock (e.g., elevated heart rate, pale gums, low blood pressure, etc.).

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of food bloat is typically based on historical findings, physical examination findings, and potentially even abdominal x-rays. A right lateral radiograph (with your dog lying on his or her right side) is the most important diagnostic tool, as it will help diagnose if the stomach is bloated versus twisted into a GDV.

Treatment
Treatment for food bloat typically includes intravenous (IV) fluids to help hydrate the patient, monitoring of electrolytes, drugs to stimulate emptying of the stomach (e.g., metoclopramide), and measuring of the stomach (with a measuring tape wrapped around the outside of the abdomen) to ensure that worsening of the stomach distention isn’t occurring. Sometimes, vomiting can be induced to remove the material from the stomach. However, unless a GDV has been ruled out, pet owners should never induce vomiting at home, as it can make your dog worse (if a GDV is present). If the material cannot be removed from the stomach by inducing vomiting, gastric lavage (“pumping of the stomach”) may be necessary under anesthesia for patient comfort.

Rarely, emergency surgery can be considered to help evacuate the stomach and to perform a gastropexy (“stapling” the stomach so it doesn’t twist into a GDV), although the majority of dogs often respond to medical management and supportive care alone.

Prevention
Food bloat is preventable. Careful attention to pet proofing of the house or crate training of your dog will help prevent food bloat or accidental ingestion of anything potentially dangerous to your pet. Garbage cans should be secured with a lid in a closed cabinet or pantry. Lastly, pet food should be stored in secure, plastic bins placed out of reach.