Can Shih Tzu Get Bloated? [Life Threatening Condition!]

Is your Shih Tzu bloated? Is this dangerous?

In this article, we will go over causes, symptoms, and cures for bloat in your Shih Tzu.

If you do not address issues like bloat, your dog’s health will decrease majorly. If you take good care of your Shih Tzu’s health he will have a long, happy life and be your best friend for years to come.

Can Shih Tzu Get Bloated?

Despite being a smaller breed, Shih Tzu can develop bloat like any other animal. If you suspect your dog has GDV, take it into the vet clinic immediately, or to the ER if the vet is closed. Do what you can to prevent dog bloat, and always keep an eye out for the signs.

What Is Bloat In Shih Tzu?

There are two main types of bloat that can happen to any dog.

“Simple Bloat” or “Food Bloat” is usually not dangerous and happens after eating too much or exercising right after a large meal.

How Do I Know If My Shih Tzu Is Bloated? What Are The First Signs & Symptoms?

The symptoms of bloat can vary, but generally, look the same throughout all dogs.

Restlessness and pacing.
Large, rounded abdomen that sounds hollow when thumped.
Large amounts of frothy drool.
Panting, rapid breathing, or other signs of distress.
Painful whines or moans, especially when the stomach is pressed.
Dry heaving or vomiting.
Inability to stand.

It is usually obvious when a dog has bloat because the symptoms progress very quickly and cause much pain. The moment you notice bloat, you should take your dog to the vet, even if you aren’t positive it is bloat.

How To Tell If a Puppy’s Stomach Is Bloated/Has Fluid In His Stomach?

Puppies often show their pain more acutely than large dogs.

The bloat sets in just a few hours or even minutes after eating and makes the puppy act restless. They whine or cry and try in vain to get comfortable. Your puppy may try to vomit or poop to release pain, but it will not work.

Like in older dogs, the most noticeable sign will be the rounded, tight belly that appears very quickly.

Some more signs include:

Lethargic but restless.
Cannot exercise.
No appetite.
Difficulty breathing.

Make sure to take your puppy to the vet right away if you suspect bloat, even if it looks like just food bloat.

Can Dogs Just Be Bloated But Not Have Bloat?

There is a type of bloat that can occur in any animal. Dilatation without volvulus, called “Simple Bloat” is bloating without the stomach twisting on itself.

Unlike GDV, this kind of bloat is not usually life-threatening, but should still cause an amount of concern. Your dog should still be taken to the vet. Often, food bloat can develop into GDV so it is better to be safe than sorry.

At the vet clinic, food bloat will show up as large amounts of food in the stomach, rather than a twisted stomach full of fluid and air. This will distinguish it from GDV.

It is possible for simple bloat to resolve itself but never depend on it.

Do Shih Tzu Bloat More Than Other Breeds?

Thankfully, there is a lower risk of your Shih Tzu having bloat as compared to other breeds.

This condition occurs more often in large or giant breed dogs with large, deep chests. Breeds like Great Danes, Standard Poodles, and Golden Retrievers are more at risk than your Shih Tzu.

However, never rule out the possibility of this dangerous disease and make sure to do all you can to prevent it and have a healthy best friend.

What Should I Do If I Think My Shih Tzu Has Bloat?

If your dog has a bad case of GDV, it can kill within an hour if not treated. Always make sure to take your dog in even if it’s just a suspicion of bloat.

There is no possible way to treat bloat at home, so do not try. Even if you prefer home remedies over prescription medication, none of these will cure a dog of bloat. Always take your dog to the clinic immediately.

The Four Most Common Causes Of Bloat.

There are four main reasons bloat occurs in your dog.

Gastric Dilatation And Volvulus (Gdv) {Dilation & Twist=Volvulus}

This is the most dangerous way a dog can have bloat. It is the most deadly and fast-acting. There is no agreed-upon cause for GDV, but rather multiple factors that play into it.

Some factors are:

Eating too quickly.
Only feeding your dog once a day.
Eating and drinking from elevated bowls.
Exercising heavily after a large meal.

If you notice your dog in pain or distress, with a distended stomach or unsuccessful vomiting attempts, your dog probably has GDV.

To treat this, a veterinarian will immediately stabilize the dogs using pain medication, fluids, anti-vomiting medication, and some form of removing substance or air from the stomach.

When the dog has been stabilized, the vet will perform surgery to correctly position the stomach and staple it down to prevent bloat from happening again. The vet will then make sure none of the other organs or tissues, such as the esophagus or intestines, are injured.

Make sure to take your dog to the vet immediately.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Another cause for bloat could be Cushing’s syndrome. This is caused by an overabundance of stress or anxiety, usually found in dogs over the age of six. It can also be caused by taking certain medications.

Symptoms that can signal Cushing’s as your culprit for bloat include excess eating and drinking, unusual pacing, and even hair loss.

If left untreated, this disease can lead to severe bloating. Doctors usually treat this by removing any adrenal tumors and giving medication. Make sure to see a veterinarian immediately.

Peritonitis

Another cause of bloat could be a case of Peritonitis. This serious condition is caused by ingesting sharp objects like splinters, bones, or similar objects. It can also be caused by tumors or ulcers. Whatever the case, it results in a punctured stomach or intestine wall and is very painful.

It is common for this to be treated with surgery to remove any objects or tumors and repair the stomach before prescribing antibiotics. Because of the danger of this condition, you must take your dog in immediately.

Some things to watch for that indicate your dog has Peritonitis are pale gums, jaundice, or fever. More serious signs include pain or swelling of the abdomen and bloat.

Ascites

Certain internal diseases can cause a serious fluid build-up in the stomach or abdomen. This is called “Ascites” and is usually caused by things like liver disease, kidney failure, intestinal problems, or parasites.

Some common signs include:

Swollen abdomen.
Lethargic behavior.
Difficulty breathing.
Weight gain and decreased appetite.
Vomiting and general discomfort.

This serious condition is often treated with any needed surgery, a sodium diet, and a solution for the related problems that caused the Ascites in the first place.

Make sure you take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice symptoms of Ascites.

Can Adding Water To Dry Dog Food Cause Bloat?

If your dog tends to take long drinks after dry meals, it can store a belly full of water on top of dry food. This can increase the risk of bloat.

A way to prevent this is to soak the dog food and put it inside an anti-gulp dish such as a maze bowl. This will slow the rate of ingestion and prevent problems caused by overeating or similar eating and drinking problems that contribute to bloat.

Make sure that your dog eats all of the food that is soaked, otherwise bacteria will grow quicker and spoil the food within a few hours.

Can Eating Dry Kibble With A High-Fat Content Cause Bloat?

Another factor that poses a higher risk of bloat is the quality of your dog food.

Check the ingredient list. If your dog food has vegetable or animal fat listed as one of the first four ingredients or general high-fat content, this can increase the risk of bloat, even if it does not directly cause it.

This kind of food can also contribute to other health problems.

If the dog food contains citric acid and was moistened before feeding, this greatly increases the risk of bloat, more so than a high-fat content!

Make sure your dog has a healthy diet. A good option for a healthy diet is calcium-rich meat dog foods, with any sort of meat listed as one of the first four ingredients.

Can Eating From An Elevated Bowl Cause Bloat?

Some people believe that feeding a dog from an elevated food dish will reduce the risk of GDV or food bloat. Several studies, however, suggest that these types of dishes increase the speed at which a dog eats, furthering the risk of bloat.

This is a topic still being researched, however, the majority of research shows that elevated dog dishes are not a good option for preventing GDV or food bloat.

Can Exercise Soon After Eating Cause Bloat?

Exercising soon after eating causes a great risk for bloat, especially if the meal was large and the exercise strenuous.

Feeding your dog smaller meals instead of one, large meal can help solve this problem, as well as preventing your dog from too much exercise directly after eating.

How Does A Vet Treat A Dog With Bloat?

The vet typically will stabilize your Shih Tzu first, then put a tube down the dog’s throat to release any built-up pressure. If the twisted stomach prevents the tube from passing through, the vet will use a large needle.

If your dog has gone into shock the vet will insert an IV and give them fluids, usually containing antibiotics. Next, he or she will take X-rays if they’re not sure if it’s GDV or food bloat.

When the dog is stabilized and the cause figured out, the vet will consult with the owner about the surgery and how risky it might be. When the owner gives the approval, the vet will immediately take the dog into surgery to untwist the stomach and fix any other problems.

Why Does My Puppy’s Stomach Bloat After Eating Too Fast?

Sometimes, you’ll notice your puppy bloated after eating. What is the cause for this?

When a dog eats too quickly, he tends to inhale too much air as he eats, causing the protruding belly and increasing the chances of food bloat or even GDV.

If your dog has food bloat problems, there are a few things you can do.

Take the dog to the vet to rule out any parasites or diseases and ask about the proper nutrition.
Increase the number of meals if your puppy is only eating once a day.
Use a slow feeder or maze bowl.
Put a toy in with the food to distract from fast eating.

How Quickly Does A Dog Bloat?

Food bloat commonly happens two or three hours after eating a large meal. GDV and bloat can happen at any time, especially if other conditions are present, like Cushing’s or Ascites.

GDV develops very quickly and progresses incredibly fast, so make sure you know what signs to look for.

Can Dog Bloat Resolve On Its Own?

While GDV is deadly and must be treated immediately, food bloat is less concerning.

Food bloat on its own may resolve without any help. Sometimes food bloat can turn into GDV, so it’s good to keep a close eye on it.

While food bloat can last for hours without being dangerous, it is best to take your dog to the vet anyway, even if he is acting normal other than the bloated stomach, just to make sure it does not develop into GDV.

What Relieves Bloating Fast?

GDV cannot be relieved except through surgery. However, food bloat can be relieved quickly, if it is not life-threatening.

On the whole, it is much better to prevent bloat instead of curing it later. Using the tips we give in this article, make sure to prevent bloat to the best of your ability.

If bloat happens and you’re absolutely positive it isn’t GDV, then you can give your dog probiotics and take him on some light exercise in an attempt to work out the air trapped in his stomach.

Another option is to massage the air out of the dog. Only do this if you know how to massage a dog’s stomach. Be gentle and make sure your dog has fun and does not feel threatened or violated.

Never let massaging take the place of a vet’s advice.

Will A Dog With Bloat Eat Or Drink?

A dog with GDV will not eat or drink, as it is physically impossible with a twisted stomach. They also will have an extreme loss of appetite.

If your dog has Cushing’s disease, he will eat and drink excessively, which often leads to bad bloat. If your dog is eating more than he usually does, make sure to watch him closely and take him to the vet if you suspect Cushing’s or bloat.

Why Is My Dog Bloated And Drinking A Lot Of Water?

Many times a dog with Cushing’s Disease will eat and drink too much, causing bloat to happen.

If your dog continues to try and drink water after he is bloated, it could be very dangerous and cause GDV to develop. Make sure to stop your dog from drinking if he has bloat, even if it is just food bloat

How To Prevent Bloat From Occurring Again?

There are several things you can do after your dog has bloated to prevent it from happening again.

If you know the original cause of the dog’s first bloat, make sure to fix that first. Then, look at these next steps to see if there is anything else you can do to prevent the painful condition from returning.

Feed smaller meals instead of one large meal a day.
Don’t let your dog participate in vigorous activity right after eating.
Make sure your pet cools down properly after extreme exercise or excitement.
Do not use elevated food bowls. Consider maze bowls.
Keep vetted products in your home that initiate burping immediately, in the case of food bloat.

Why You Should Restrict Water Immediately Before & Immediately After Meals.

Water can make dog food expand in the stomach and water down digestive juices, making them less effective.

In order to prevent this, make sure your dog doesn’t drink much or at all right before and after eating meals. If you have to, keep the water from the dog for a little, until the digestion has been given a chance. This also helps with preventing the dog from exercising right after meals.

An option is to moisturize your dog food, but do not soak it. Wait at least an hour after eating to let your dog run around.

References

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281730881_Gastric_Dilatation_and_Volvulus_in_Shih-tzu

https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/10-questions-ask-your-veterinarian-about-gastric-dilatation