Bloat is a rapidly progressing life-threatening disorder that requires emergency medical, and likely surgical, intervention.
In 14 years of small animal practice I've seen 2 cases at work. I called a local emergency clinic and they average about 6-10 a year. For some reason this seems to be a disorder that happens "after hours."
The technical term for bloat is gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV.) Gastric dilation refers to the over distention of the stomach with air or fluid. About 75% of cases will involve volvulus, which is the twisting of the stomach along it's axis. |
