Dog Bloat (GDV): Minutes Matter

If your dog is trying to vomit and nothing is coming up, and the belly looks tight or swollen, treat that as a dog bloat emergency. Do not wait to see if it settles. Do not go for a walk to "work it out." Get to a veterinarian now. True Animal Vet can see this during open hours at either hospital. If we are closed, go to the nearest emergency hospital.

What GDV is

Bloat is not a big meal sitting heavy. Gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV, means the stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself. Once it twists, gas cannot escape. Blood flow to the stomach and spleen is cut off. The dog goes into shock. The heart can throw dangerous rhythms. Without treatment, GDV can kill a dog in a matter of hours, sometimes less.

Deep-chested, large, and giant breeds are at higher risk. Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Dobermans, and similar builds show up in this emergency more often. Any dog can bloat, including mixed breeds and some smaller dogs. Do not talk yourself out of coming in because your dog is "not a Great Dane."

This is about one decision: is this bloat, and do you leave the house now.

Signs that mean go now

The classic picture is a dog who is restless, drooling, and trying to vomit with little or nothing coming up. The abdomen may look swollen, tight, or drum-like behind the ribs. Some dogs pace, look at their belly, or cannot get comfortable. Gums may be pale or muddy. They may collapse.

You will not always see every sign. Unproductive retching plus a painful or swelling belly is enough. Do not wait for collapse. Do not give water, food, oils, or hydrogen peroxide. Do not press on the belly to "let the air out." You cannot fix a twist at home.

If you are unsure whether it is an upset stomach or GDV, treat it as GDV until a doctor says otherwise. A false alarm is a good day. Waiting on a twisted stomach is not.

What we do if we are open

Urgent care and GDV surgery are offered at both True Animal Vet hospitals during open hours. Call ahead so we can confirm a surgeon is on staff that day and work you in. If you cannot get through and he is bloating, come in during open hours.

Hours at both hospitals are Monday through Friday 7:30am to 9pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm, Sunday closed.

When a possible bloat arrives, we start with an exam and shock support. X-rays tell us whether the stomach is dilated and whether it has rotated. We place an IV catheter, give fluids and pain control, and decompress the stomach when we can. Surgery is the treatment when the stomach has twisted: untwist it, assess whether the stomach wall is still viable, and typically tack the stomach (gastropexy) so it is less likely to twist again. Some dogs also need the spleen addressed if it was damaged in the twist.

How sick your dog is on arrival changes how fast we move and how much support they need. We will talk you through what the films show and what surgery involves. We will not promise every dog survives. GDV is still a critical emergency. Speed is the part you control: you have to get them here, or to an ER, while there is still a stomach to save.

How to reach us

If you think this is bloat, come in while we are open. Call The Woodlands at (281) 867-5968 (4524 Research Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381) or Grand Oaks at (281) 869-3010 (4970 Riley Fuzzel Rd, Spring, TX 77386). Text (281) 916-3282. If we are closed, go to the nearest ER, then call us when we reopen.