Your Dog's Health: GDV

Look out for Bloat /"Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV")

It was not until my sister’s dog Simi, a beautiful, healthy German Shepherd, died suddenly, that we learned of Bloat, or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, (GDV)

Bloat is a very serious health risk that many dog owners know very little about. It is the second leading killer of dogs with cancer being the first. Deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans are most often effected.

Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air. It usually happens when there is an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation"). Stress is a significant contributing factor. Bloat can occur with or without twisting ("volvulus"). The twisting causes air, food, and water to be trapped in the stomach. The stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs which can kill a dog within one hour. What you can do in an emergency is to Be prepared! Know in advance what you would do if you suspect bloating.

	If your regular vet doesn't have 24-hour emergency service, know which nearby vet you would use. Keep the phone number handy. **Dogs in rescue situations are more prone to bloat!! The dog has been passed from one facility/rescuer/foster to another; had it's food changed a number of times within a couple weeks; and suffered tremendously emotional (and therefore physical) stress during that time. Rescues should be STRICTLY observed during those first 2-3 critical weeks in the foster/adoptive homes, and all guidelines must be observed!! SYMPTOMS. . .
	Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-30 minutes
	Doesn't act like usual self Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that almost always occurs
	Significant anxiety and restlessness One of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical
	"Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance This seems to occur fairly frequently
	Pale or off-color gums
	Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages

** The most significant finding related to preventive methods used by owners, namely raising the food bowl, (instead of keeping it on the ground ) actually increased the risk of bloat by approximately 200%!!

Your dog will let you know when he is sick. Pay attention to the signs. Know if he’s not acting himself and act quickly. You might just save his life.

Can you train a dog to become a “Seizure” dog?

I often wonder how my dog Truffles always seems to know when I’m not feeling well, or better yet, how he seems to know before I get that lousy headache. He has demonstrated this behavior often enough to prompt my investigation of. . . is this a gift, or can it be taught?

After studying several cases on dogs that have helped their masters during seizures or other physical crisis, maybe the term seizure assistance dog would be a more valid term.

Dogs have been trained for several years to be assistance dogs to people with disabilities. There have been many reports of dogs assisting someone during a seizure, such as alerting a family member or lying on a person to prevent injury. They can be trained to seek help, sound an alarm, or just sit by their master until help arrives; however, there doesn’t seem to be any conclusive research that a dog can be trained to forewarn of an impending seizure.

My best guess is that in most incidences, these incredible companion dogs, because of their strong bond with their masters, have the ability to pick up on certain energy (as before a thunderstorm) or notice a subtle change in behavior.

My personal explanation is that I like to think that these dogs have a rare gift from God; and that if they were given this gift, it should be shared with the world.