در صورت مشاهده این علائم، فوراً با دامپزشک تماس بگیرید
- Cutting off blood flow to the stomach and organs → tissue death
- Pressure on the diaphragm → difficulty breathing
- Severe shock and drop in blood pressure
- Cardiac arrest
If GDV is not treated, the animal usually dies within a few hours.
When should I go to the clinic immediately?
Take the animal to a veterinary emergency without any delay in the following cases:
- Suddenly swollen and tight abdomen
- The animal tries to vomit but cannot
- Restlessness, lethargy, or panting
- Pale gums or cold extremities
- Any previous similar case of bloat or GDV
🚨 Reminder:
Bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus are among the deadliest emergencies in dogs. Every minute of delay can be critical.
If resuscitation is needed, perform ABC and CPR and at the same time get the animal to the clinic quickly.
- Feed in several small meals throughout the day, not one large meal.
- Use slow-feeder bowls.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for one hour before and after meals.
- Provide enough water throughout the day but do not give large amounts right before meals.
✅ For high-risk breeds:
- With the veterinarian's advice, preventive gastropexy surgery (stomach tacking) can be performed at the time of spaying/neutering to reduce the risk of GDV.
If the animal becomes unconscious or stops breathing, what should be done?
Answer:
Symptoms usually appear quickly and suddenly:
⚠️ Even if you see only a few of these symptoms, GDV is possible and it is an emergency.
Large-breed dogs with deep chests (e.g., German Shepherd, Great Dane, Doberman, Saint Bernard, Weimaraner)
Older dogs or breeds that eat very quickly
Animals that engage in intense activity immediately after eating
In cats it is very rare but can occur in certain gastrointestinal cases.
Bloat occurs when the stomach becomes overly filled with gas, liquid, or food. In some cases, the stomach may twist around itself (this condition is called GDV or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus).
As a result of the stomach twisting:
When should I go to the clinic immediately?
Answer:
Immediately take the animal to a veterinary center in the following cases:
• Severe bleeding that cannot be controlled with pressure
• Deep or puncture wounds
• Signs of shock (lethargy, rapid breathing, pale gums)
• Animal or snake bites
• Foreign object in the wound
• Bleeding from the mouth, nose, or rectum
🚨 Reminder:
In cases of severe bleeding, every minute counts. Maintain pressure during transport, and if breathing or pulse stops, perform CPR immediately.
A. Abrasion
A superficial skin wound usually caused by contact with the ground or rough surfaces.
Actions:
B. Bite Wound
Wounds that may be deep and contaminated.
Actions:
C. Cuts and Tears
May result from glass, metal, or sharp objects.
Actions:
D. Pad Wounds
Wounds or cuts on paw pads, often caused by walking on hot or sharp surfaces.
Actions:
E. Ticks
Ticks are parasites that attach to the skin and suck blood.
Actions:
F. Snake Bite
A medical emergency that can be life-threatening.
Actions:
⚠️ Note: Never try to remove an object stuck in the wound—just stabilize it around the object to prevent movement.
Anaphylactic Shock is the most severe type of allergic reaction and is life-threatening.
This condition usually occurs within the first few minutes after exposure to an allergen, such as:
Symptoms:
In this situation:
✅ Lay the animal on its side
✅ Keep the head slightly lower than the body to help blood reach the brain
✅ Go immediately to a veterinary clinic
✅ During transport, if breathing or pulse stops, continue CPR
If a bee or insect sting remains in the animal’s body:
If the animal becomes unconscious or stops breathing:
When should you go to the clinic immediately?
Take the animal to a veterinarian or 24-hour hospital without delay in these cases:
🚨 Reminder:
An allergic reaction can become dangerous within minutes. Every minute is critical in this situation.
What should I do if my pet is choking or has breathing problems?
Use the ABC method:
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the reaction but may include:
• Severe itching or sudden scratching of the body
• Swelling around the eyes, snout, lips, or ears
• Redness of the skin or hives
• Sneezing or coughing
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy or weakness
• In severe cases: throat swelling and difficulty breathing (choking), which requires immediate visit to the nearest veterinary hospital or clinic
An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is normally harmless.
In dogs and cats, this reaction can be triggered by:
Make sure the environment is safe (no danger to the pet or yourself).
If the pet might bite or react unpredictably, it’s better to use a leash or restrain the dog.
It’s recommended to have basic pet CPR training beforehand and have the contact information of the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital ready.
During CPR, minimize interruptions in compressions, as long pauses reduce cardiac output.
For the BLS (Basic Life Support) stage at home:
If the animal is unconscious, not breathing (or breathing very weakly), and the pulse is undetectable or very weak — meaning there is a possible cardiac-respiratory arrest — you should start CPR immediately, even if you are not completely sure. Delaying can greatly reduce the chances of survival.
The first step is the “ABC” approach:
• A = Airway: Make sure the pet is in a safe position. Call its name loudly or gently shake it to check for a response. If there is no response, check the mouth and throat for any obstruction.
• B = Breathing: Listen, look, and feel near the nose/mouth for breath or chest movement. If the pet is not breathing or breathing very weakly → CPR is required.
• C = Circulation: Check the pulse or heartbeat (e.g., femoral artery in dogs, or appropriate site for cats). If there is no pulse or it is very weak, start chest compressions and rescue breathing immediately.
For basic CPR (BLS) at home:
• Place the pet on a hard, flat surface, preferably lying on its right side.
• Position your hands on the chest according to the pet’s size: for large dogs, use two hands stacked; for small dogs or cats, use one hand or an appropriate method.
• Perform compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute.
• Compression-to-breath ratio: 30 compressions, then 2 rescue breaths, then continue compressions.
• Rescue breathing: Close the pet’s mouth (or use an appropriate method for very small cats/dogs) and blow air into the nose or mouth until the chest rises. Avoid excessive pressure.
• Every 2 minutes, if possible, have a second person take over to prevent fatigue and maintain compression quality.
• While performing CPR, another person should contact the nearest veterinary emergency center and prepare for transportation.
By pressing the gums until they turn white, the return to pink color should take less than 2 seconds.
🔹 If it takes more than 2 seconds → it may indicate shock or poor circulation.
• Gently lift the skin on the animal’s neck or back; it should quickly return to its original position.
If it returns slowly → this is a sign of dehydration.
• A dry or sticky mouth and sunken eyes are also other signs of dehydration.
🔹 Normal moisture levels: skin should be soft and elastic, gums moist.
The natural color should be light pink and moist.
🔹 Abnormal colors:
• White or gray
• Blue or purple
• Yellow
• Dark red
🔹 A temperature above 39.5°C or below 37.5°C requires immediate veterinary attention.
The pulse should be regular, strong, and synchronized with the heartbeat.
🔹 A weak or irregular pulse may indicate low blood pressure, shock, or heart problems.
Best place to feel the pulse:
• In dogs and cats: femoral artery (inner thigh)
• Dog:
• Large breeds: 60 to 100 beats per minute
• Small breeds and puppies: 100 to 160 beats per minute
• Cat: 140 to 220 beats per minute
🔹 Stress or fear can temporarily increase the heart rate.
🔹 During sleep or deep rest, it may be lower. However, rapid, noisy, or open-mouth breathing is considered abnormal.