Quick Reference Bloat Guide

Akitas are generally robust and healthy, but some issues have been known to occur. Following are some health issues that an Akita may encounter:

Bloat  (Gastric Torsion) is a life-threatening emergency.

While this should not be considered medical advice, here is a chart to help explain what to watch for and what to do:

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QUICK REFERENCE GDV GUIDE FOR GDV BLOAT EMERGENCY VET NUMBER:
Circumstances: What Is Happening What The Dog Does What You Should Do Treatment
Stress
Excitement
Vigorous Exercise
Large Meals
Long Drink
Swallowed Air
Familial Tendency
Stomach function is normal.

Gas accumulates in the
stomach but the stomach
does not empty as it should.

Dog behaves as usual.

Seems slightly uncomfortable.

Keep the dog quiet; Do not leave the dog alone; Give Antacid if the vet agrees.

Be award of Phase I symptoms.

During this period the dog
may recover without going on to
develop Gastric Volvulus.
PHASE I GDV Stomach starts to dilate.
(Gastric Dilatation)
Anxious, restless, pacing; Trying to
vomit-may bring up stiff white foam
but no food; Salivating;
Abdomen may be swollen.
Call your vet, tell him what you suspect and why.

Take the dog to the vet without further delay.

During this period the dog
may recover if your vet releases
the pressure with a stomach tube.
PHASE II GDV Blood supply to part of
the stomach is cut off.
Stomach tissue is damaged. Portal vein, vena cava
and splenic vein become compressed and twisted. Spleen becomes engorged. Shock begins to develop.
Very restless; whining & panting;
Salivating copiously; Tries to
vomit every 2-3 min; Stands with
legs apart & head hanging down;
Abdomen swollen & sounds
hollow if tapped; Gums dark red;
Heart rate 80 - 100 beats / min;
Temperature raised
(104 degrees F)
Get someone to tell your vet you are on your way and why.

Take the dog to the vet as quickly as possible.

During this period the vet will
need to relieve the stomach
pressure, start an intravenous
drip and perform surgery to
untwist the stomach.
PHASE III GDV Spleen and stomach tissue become Necrotic.

Shock now very severe.

Heart failure develops.

Shock now irreversible.

Death.

Unable to stand or stands shakily with legs apart; Abdomen very swollen;
Breathing shallow; Gums white or blue; Heart rate over 100 beats / minute; Pulse very weak;Temperature drops to
(98 degrees f).
Death is imminent.

Get someone to tell your vet you are on your way and why.

Take the dog to the vet as quickly as possible.

As well as doing everything above, the vet will need to remove part of the stomach and spleen. He will also need to use powerful drugs to counteract shock.

It is no longer possible to save the dog's life.

Auto-immune disease:

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