Stomach twisting is a dangerous and common disease in large dogs that can be avoided with smaller food rations and helping the animal to eat more slowly.
Stomach twisting in dogs is a very dangerous disease and, unfortunately, more common than you might think. Did you know that eating quickly, drinking too much water at once, or exercising after a meal puts your four-legged friend in danger? The reason is that these gestures increase the risk of gas accumulating in the dog’s stomach. This article discusses what stomach torsion is in dogs, why it is so dangerous, and how to recognize it. In addition, seven tricks are given to avoid gastric torsion of the dog in the healthiest way: from reducing the height of the bowls, reducing the food rations and distributing them more times during the day, to using jigsaw-feeders, preventing the animal from running after the meal or choosing a large food to chew.
Stomach torsion in dogs, what is it?
The twisting of stomachs in dogs is a very dangerous disease that endangers the lives of these animals. What happens to them? This condition causes the stomach to expand, fill with gas and, in some cases, also twist. Gastric torsion in dogs is a disease that implies a serious danger to the life of the dog and, in addition, the risk of death occurs very quickly.
This disease is related to the dog’s copious meals. Excess food eaten in a short time produces an accumulation of food and gases in the dog’s stomach, until it reaches a point where the pressure is so high that the gases can no longer escape. The stomach grows in size, swells and twists literally.
The overgrown stomach puts too much pressure on the rest of the dog’s body organs. And not only that, it also pushes the arteries and veins that allow blood to circulate through your body, thus blocking the arrival of blood to the heart. Excess gas exerts enormous pressure that even prevents the affected dogs from burping. In addition, the animal will breathe with difficulty and may collapse and even die if we do not act quickly.
How to recognize the torsion of the stomach in the dog?
A dog affected by a twisted stomach is nervous. You may also be sad and depressed. You will have difficulty breathing and your heart rate will skyrocket. In addition, the mucous membranes of the muzzle and mouth turn pale. The dog suffers from a stomach ache and may try to vomit, even if it fails. If he is examined by the vet, he will be able to verify that his pulse is weak.
Why does stomach twist affect some dogs more than others? Large dogs with broad chests are at higher risk of stomach twisting. There are genetic factors that predispose a dog to suffer stomach torsion , something that happens to large dogs with deep thorax. Also to Great Dane, Weimaraner, Saint Bernard and German Shepherd breeds. In addition, thin people are more at risk of suffering it.
The danger of death is high for a dog suffering from a twisted stomach . Between 10% and 60% of dogs that suffer an attack die.
This explains why it is so important to go to the vet urgently at the slightest symptom and also why it is essential to avoid this disease. These are seven tricks to get it.
1. Avoid raised bowls
The bowls of food high increase the risk that can suffer a stomach torsion, concludes a study of this disease coordinated by the veterinarian Lawrence Glickman. This advice is very important for large elderly dogs, since age is another factor that increases the risk of gastric torsion.
2. Stomach twisting in dogs: more meals a day
Concentrating all the dog’s food in a single portion has many drawbacks: it suffers from anxiety, goes hungry and, in addition, when it is time to eat, it is normal for it to devour. Who wouldn’t do it after a whole day without tasting food? This explains why dogs that eat only once a day do so faster. The healthy option is to divide your food into at least three servings during the day.
3. Use interactive dining rooms and games
Dogs eat faster than is good for them. And eating at full speed will make you ingest more gas, so the risk to your stomach increases. Why not use dog feeder puzzles then ? These puzzles help them relax, force them to eat more slowly, and encourage them to stimulate their intelligence. Kong toys filled with part of their food can also be used.
4. Increase the size of my balls!
Small balls are not suitable for all dogs. The dog needs to nibble on its food; in this way, it is prevented from engulfing it. Therefore, it is advisable to adapt the diet to the size of the dog. And it is advisable to consult with your doctor to help you with it.
5. Don’t run after meals
Rough exercise after eating is not good for anyone, not for dogs. Therefore, games that involve running after eating should be avoided. It is advisable to let the friend rest its food and its stomach to work slowly to ingest the food in the way it needs.
6. Drink water, better little by little
Dogs are adept at emptying bowls in one sitting, and not just the food bowl but the water bowl as well. But drinking too much water all at once can also be a risk, as your stomach will fill up. The advice? Always have fresh water available for the dog and encourage him to drink more often.
7. Relaxed dogs, healthier dogs
Stress is not good, not good for the four-legged friend either. Did you know that stress shortens your dog’s life ? Intelligence games avoid noise at home and allow the dog to be happy are tips for leading a calmer and healthier canine life.
