Dogs are very loyal pets to their masters and do everything they can to protect them. It is your responsibility to care of your dog in the same manner. A very deadly condition that can render your dog incapacitated is Gastric Dilation-Volvulus. It is called GDV in short. It is a stomach infection that infects your dog causing life altering situations for your beloved pet if you do not react quickly. Delaying in getting your dog to the vet may result in the loss of your pet for ever.
Even human beings suffer from gas problems for which treatment is essential or it affects normal life. Gastric infection is severe on a dog as it blocks the flow of blood. In this condition, the stomach swells up and the important organs and blood vessels come in contact with each other causing friction. It causes breathing problems for the dog since the diaphragm also gets snapped in the process. The gas gets collected in the stomach since there is no escape route through the anus or the mouth of the dog. The blood is prevented from reaching the heart and one by one the tissues begin to get damaged. This goes on till a point where the dog loses its life if not treated on time.
Some of the breeds of dogs that are highly affected by volvulus are Weimaraner, Irish setter and the Great Dane. This may have to do something with their genes but the actual cause as to why these dogs are more prone to this medical symptoms guide is still unknown. If you own a dog of one these breeds then you need to be careful about it.
Female dogs are half as likely to catch this infection as their male counterpart. Dogs with an aggressive behavior are also more prone to this disease. Dogs over the age of seven years are more at risk than young puppies. If they are not fed properly or inadequately, such a situation may arise. Frequent trips by car and air also increase the scope for volvulus. It can affect a dog more than once even if it was eradicated completely the first time.
It is wiser to feed your dog regularly in small portions and maintain good diet plans. Keep a check on water intake after a meal. Avoid heightened sense of excitement for your dog. Some of the signs include excess salivation, laziness, high heart rate and breathing problems.
