Bloat (GDV): The Big-Dog Emergency That Kills in Hours

What happens

In bloat, the stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself (volvulus), cutting off blood supply. Untreated, it's fatal within hours. Deep-chested large breeds — Great Danes, shepherds, weimaraners, standard poodles, boerboels — carry the highest risk.

The signs to burn into memory

A suddenly swollen, tight belly; unproductive retching (trying to vomit, nothing comes); restlessness and pacing; drooling; obvious distress. Any large dog retching unproductively goes to an emergency vet immediately — this is the classic sign.

What the vet does

Rapid decompression, shock treatment and emergency surgery to untwist and secure the stomach. Survival is good when caught early and drops steeply with delay. There is no home remedy; driving fast is the treatment you control.

Prevention

For high-risk breeds, a gastropexy (tacking the stomach, often done during spay/neuter) largely prevents the deadly twist. Feeding smaller meals, slowing gulpers with puzzle bowls, and avoiding intense exercise right after eating are sensible additional habits.