{"id":6452,"date":"2021-11-16T01:56:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T01:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=6452"},"modified":"2021-11-16T01:56:00","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T01:56:00","slug":"food-bloat-in-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/food-bloat-in-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Bloat in Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pet<\/p>\n

You know that feeling of polishing off your third plate at Thanksgiving dinner, when you lean back in your chair, rub your full stomach, and swear you won\u2019t be able to eat again for a week? Well, food bloat in pets is sort of like that — minus the silverware and cornucopia centerpiece — with potentially more serious consequences. So let\u2019s dig in and talk about food bloat in pets and what pet parents need to know!<\/p>\n

What is food bloat?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Food bloat is a condition\u00a0<\/span>in which<\/span>\u00a0a pet\u2019s stomach has become over-filled and\u00a0<\/span>distended<\/span>\u00a0aft<\/span>er the pet eats<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a large amount of food all at once. The majority of food bloat cases\u00a0<\/span>happen<\/span>\u00a0because a pet\u00a0<\/span>ransacked<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>bag of dog or cat food<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and t<\/span>hen\u00a0<\/span>gorged<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to capacity (or beyond!)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>However, f<\/span>ood bloat<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can<\/span>\u00a0also occur if a pet gets into the trash or eats a l<\/span>ot<\/span>\u00a0of human food.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of food bloat?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Pets with food bloat tend to\u00a0<\/span>get<\/span>\u00a0large,\u00a0<\/span>distended<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 and sometimes painful \u2013 bellies. These pets often\u00a0<\/span>mope<\/span>\u00a0around like a beached whale or pace\u00a0<\/span>because they’re too uncomfortable to lie down<\/span>. Other common symptoms include vomiting, retching without producing\u00a0<\/span>any\u00a0<\/span>vomit, vocalizing or whining, diarrhea<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0exaggerated breathing.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"veterinary<\/p>\n

How is food bloat diagnosed?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

A veterinarian diagnoses food bloat by taking x-rays of the abdomen.\u00a0<\/span>X-rays<\/span>\u00a0allow the veterinarian to see\u00a0<\/span>inside the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pet\u2019s big, full stomach \u2013 and\u00a0<\/span>we\u00a0<\/span>can sometimes\u00a0<\/span>even\u00a0<\/span>see a \u201ckibble\u201d pattern! X-rays also allow the veterinarian to rule out other possible causes of the pet\u2019s symptoms such as foreign object obstruction,\u00a0<\/span>Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV),\u00a0<\/span>masses, etc.\u00a0 It\u2019s actually common for veterinarians to diagnose food bloat based off of the x-rays, even before the pet\u2019s owner\u00a0<\/span>realizes<\/span>\u00a0the food bag or container ha<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0been\u00a0<\/span>raided<\/span>! In addition to x-rays, the veterinarian may check bloodwork to evaluate electrolytes<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>organ function<\/span>, a<\/span>s well as<\/span>\u00a0guide the best treatment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

How is food bloat treated?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Treatment for food bloat can vary, depending on the specific case. If it\u2019s safe<\/span>\u00a0to do so<\/span>, the veterinary team can induce vomiting to help lessen the load on the pet\u2019s stomach. However<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0if the pet only consumed food \u2013 not packaging or other material \u2013\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>\u00a0will eventually be digested.\u00a0<\/span>Another concern is dehydration. W<\/span>hile the pet tries to digest and move all of th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0food th<\/span>r<\/span>ough,\u00a0<\/span>he can quickly become dehydrated. Pets with food bloat usually need fluid therapy, anti-nausea medications, and sometimes, light pain medications. Often, additional x-rays are used to monitor progression of the food and the pet\u2019s response to treatment. Food is often withheld for 12-24 hours to allow the pet\u2019s stomach to digest \u2013\u00a0<\/span>but\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t worry, the<\/span>\u00a0pet<\/span>\u00a0won\u2019t g<\/span>et<\/span>\u00a0hungry!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"dog,<\/p>\n

What happens if my pet does not receive treatment?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

In addition t<\/span>o the risk of dehydration, pets with food bloat can also experience\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0or an obstruction caused by the food\u2019s packaging. Most dangerously though, food bloat can<\/span>\u00a0sometimes<\/span>\u00a0lead to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0(GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and emergency surgery is needed. Treatment is advised to help monitor\u00a0<\/span>and treat symptoms<\/span>\u00a0and to rule out more grave diagnoses like GDV.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How can food bloat be prevented?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

To help prevent food bloat, containers of both pet & human food\u00a0<\/span>should be stored\u00a0<\/span>where your pet can\u2019t get at them<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Pet food bags can be enclosed within<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>plastic totes<\/span>; for an added level of safety, put totes in a closet<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>pantry<\/span>\u00a0with a lock or\u00a0<\/span>latch<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0We also advise securing all trash cans<\/span>. If you discard of a large amount of food, remove the trash bag\u00a0<\/span>immediately\u00a0<\/span>and place in<\/span>\u00a0an outside trash bin. Pets are very clever a<\/span>s well as<\/span>\u00a0determined<\/span>! S<\/span>ome may chew through a weak container or use paws and noses to open cabinet doors<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>so be diligent when pet-proofing your home!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"kibble,<\/p>\n

If you caught your pet\u00a0<\/span>overindulging on\u00a0<\/span>food or notice your pet has a large,\u00a0<\/span>dis<\/span>ten<\/span>ded stomach<\/span>, contact your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0They can help determine the best course of action based on how much your pet ate and\/or their symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Melanie<\/p>\n

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