14 Jan Dog Stomach Swelling (Part 2)

In the previous part, we talked about swelling in dogs. The disease is contagious in many breeds and, in some cases, leads to their death. We have already described the disease and its symptoms in detail. We also named the species that are most prone to it. There are several reasons for this disease, the most important of which we have mentioned. This section will talk about the treatment, prevention, and other essential points of swelling in dogs.

Treatments of dog swelling

Treatment of a puppy or adult dog depends on the severity of the disease. The veterinarian may first insert a tube through the animal’s throat into the stomach to relieve pressure inside the stomach. Sometimes a twist doesn’t allow the pipe to go down. In this case, a large, hollow needle is inserted through the abdomen into the stomach to relieve the pressure.

Of course, if your puppy is in shock, veterinarians first treat the shock and immediately start injecting fluids (usually with antibiotics). X-rays of the animal’s abdomen may also be taken to see if the stomach is twisted. If there’s a sprain, emergency surgery is necessary. The animal is operated on after the condition has stabilized. Unfortunately, there is no home remedy. Take the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Don’t look for anti-flatulence medicine for dogs.

Surgical procedure

Two steps are performed in surgery. The first is to empty the stomach and return it to the correct position. If part of the stomach wall is damaged, those parts are removed. The second thing is that because, in a large percentage of cases (up to 90%), the dog will bloat again, the stomach is stuck to the abdominal wall (gastropexy operation) to prevent it from twisting again.

They then check to see if other parts of the body are damaged.

prevention of dog swelling

• Dogs that are overweight or underweight are also more prone to swelling, so it’s essential to get the dog to the right weight.
• Dogs that eat one meal a day are twice as likely to bloat as animals that eat two meals a day. So instead of one or two huge meals, you should divide the food into several small meals during the day.
• Eating speed also has an effect. The rate of bloating in dogs that eat food speedy is five times higher than those accustomed to eating slowly. Using special food containers that slow down the eating speed can be helpful.
• Anxiety about dogs eating in groups should also be considered because it can increase the risk of bloating. Dogs that are stressed or hyperactive are more at risk. Separating animals from each other when eating can help reduce their anxiety and stress.
• Upset, depressed or cowardly dogs are twice as likely to be bloated as happy dogs.

Surgery to eliminate the possibility of infection

One of the most popular practices recently is to perform a gastropexy operation on high-risk breeds to prevent swelling. This surgery is usually done when spaying a dog. Some veterinarians now use the laparoscopic method, in which a tiny incision on the body is enough. The most challenging part of the story is identifying which dogs are at risk of surgery. At least we can say about the mentioned giant breeds that they should have this surgery. Consult your veterinarian about it. Here are some other things you can do to help keep your puppy or adult dog from bloating:

• Don’t allow your dog to play or run too much before or after eating
• Be careful not to drink too much water at once
• Give canned food to dogs as well
• Reduce fatty foods

As you can see, some of the problems are irreparable, and if we do not know enough about them beforehand and don’t act in time, we may regret it later. Swelling in a dog can be extremely dangerous and quickly kill a dog playing until an hour ago. If you notice swelling in the dog’s abdomen or any other symptoms we have mentioned, take it to a veterinarian immediately; otherwise, it may be too late. We can’t prevent all cases of bloating in dogs, but by following the recommendations mentioned, we may be able to reduce the risk of bloating. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming and much more. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have groomed your dogs carefully and accurately to count the moments for the next session.