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My dog has bloat symptoms. What is bloat, is it dangerous, what now?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Male | neutered | 9 years and 8 months old | 2 lbs

Showing symptoms of Bloat along with my other dog that is 9 months old & is Shar~Pei/American Pitbull Terrier mix. What is Bloat & what are the symptoms? Is Bloat dangerous. & What will happen to my babies if I can't afford to take them to the vet to getchecked to see whats wrong with them?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 13th, 2017

Hello. "Bloat" is the name typically given to "GDV" or "Gastric Dilated Volvulus" where the stomach fills with gas and flips. This causes the stomach to become distended and hard, dogs will usually collapse, have a hard and tight and big stomach, and often look like they are trying to throw up but can't. This is most common in large breed deep chested dogs. Uncommon in JRTs. Food bloat can occur as well, as can a gas bloat where the stomach doesn't flip. GDVs will die very painful deaths and quickly without surgery, and you should NEVER wait if you think your dog has a GDV. Food bloat can be very painful as well, and can look very similar, however they recover nicely. When in doubt, bring your dog to the vet, but if you are worried about a bloat do not wait. Good luck with your little one!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on July 24th, 2018
I am sorry for the loss of Patch. Unfortunately, the symptoms listed have many causes. The standout symptom is the "twisted stomach". If this was the case, Patch may have had Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), more commonly known as "Bloat". This is a life threatening condition requiring rapid and aggressive treatment. The cause of the condition is not fully understood, but large, deep chested dogs are at higher risk of developing bloat.
You can read more about the condition at the link below.

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/gastric-dilatation-volvulus
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on October 12th, 2017
If you are concerned about a GDV, Ronnie should be evaluated by a vet immediately. This a life-threatening issue that needs emergency surgical correction.

Other possible causes of the symptoms you have described include dietary indiscretion, food allergy, intestinal parasites, GI blockage, gastroenteritis, bacterial or viral infection, IBD, pancreatitis, among others.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 28th, 2020
I'm seeing a radiology (x-ray) report that states that Sharon initially had a GDV (Gastric dilatation & Volvulus, also commonly referred to as "bloat"), but repeat x-rays were taken 5 minutes later and again 18 hours later, and those x-rays looked ok.

GDV is a condition where the stomach first becomes distended, then twists or flips on its axis. The distention causes discomfort, but the twist/flip of the stomach is what makes this condition a true life-threatening emergency, as it prevents flow of food & gas in and out of the stomach, and cuts off the blood supply to the tissue in the area, as well as through major vessels of the body.

Without knowing more about the situation, I'm not sure if the vet decompressed the stomach and helped correct the GDV, or if it spontaneously corrected (which can occasionally happen).

If surgery was not performed to tack Sharon's stomach to the side of the body wall to prevent future stomach flipping, then Sharon remains at risk for this to potentially occur again.

Here's some further information on this condition. If you'd like to discuss Sharon's specific case in more detail, feel free to request a consultation.
https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/bloating-in-dogs/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog is dazed, breathing hard, stomach contracting. Is it bloat?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The symptoms you are describing sound like an emergency. The description of heavy breathing, retching, and contracting abdomen sound like the symptoms of a gastric dilatation/volvulus, or bloat. This happens when the stomach is filled with air and can even twist on itself and is more common in large breed dogs. The condition is extremely uncomfortable, and requires immediate stabilization and possibly surgery. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care, especially if there is torsion. I recommend getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible. There are 24-hour emergency clinics in most cities that are open overnight and will be able to stabilize your dog.

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