I still remember the night my friend Lisa called me, barely holding it together. Her Great Dane, Duke, wouldn’t stop pacing. He kept trying to throw up but nothing was coming out. She thought maybe he’d eaten something weird in the yard.
I told her to get to the emergency vet. Right now. Don’t wait. Don’t Google it. Go.
Duke had bloat — specifically GDV, gastric dilatation-volvulus. He survived, but only because Lisa got him into surgery within about 90 minutes of the first symptoms. The vet told her another hour and they’d have lost him. That conversation changed how I think about dog ownership, and it’s why I’m writing this today. Knowing the signs of bloat in dogs isn’t optional knowledge. It’s the difference between life and death.
What Is Bloat (GDV) and Why Is It So Dangerous
Bloat vs GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) Explained
Here’s where it gets a little confusing. “Bloat” gets thrown around as a catch-all, but there are actually two stages.
Simple bloat (gastric dilatation) is when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food and expands. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. But not immediately life-threatening on its own.
GDV is when that bloated stomach actually twists on itself — rotates along its axis. And that’s when things go from bad to catastrophic, fast. The twist cuts off blood flow to the stomach and spleen. Gas can’t escape. Blood can’t return to the heart. The stomach tissue starts dying. Toxins flood the bloodstream.
GDV is the second leading cause of death in large breed dogs, right behind cancer. Without treatment, it’s almost always fatal. Even with emergency surgery, somewhere between 10% and 33% of dogs don’t make it. Those numbers haunt me every time I think about them.
The 30-Minute Window That Saves Lives
I call it the 30-minute window, though really you’ve got maybe 1 to 2 hours total from first symptoms to needing surgical intervention. But here’s the thing — the first 30 minutes is when most owners are still deciding whether something is really wrong. That hesitation costs lives.
The stomach tissue starts dying rapidly once blood flow gets cut off. Cardiac arrhythmias can develop. Shock sets in. Every minute you spend watching and wondering is a minute your dog doesn’t have.
My personal rule: if you see two or more of the symptoms below happening at the same time, you drive to the emergency vet. You don’t call your regular vet’s office and wait on hold. You don’t post on a Facebook group asking for opinions. You go.
1. Distended or Swollen Abdomen
This is the one most people picture when they think of dog bloat symptoms, but it’s trickier to spot than you’d expect. On a lean, short-coated dog like a Doberman or Weimaraner, yeah — you’ll probably notice the belly looking tight and swollen, almost like a balloon.
But on a fluffy Golden Retriever or a deep-chested but heavily coated breed? The swelling can hide under all that fur. I’ve seen owners miss it completely.
What to look for: The abdomen feels hard and tight when you press on it, like a drum. Your dog may flinch or yelp when you touch their belly. The swelling usually appears behind the ribcage on the left side. And it can develop surprisingly fast — we’re talking 20 to 30 minutes from a normal-looking belly to visibly distended.
2. Unproductive Retching (Trying to Vomit but Nothing Comes Up)
This is the big one. Unproductive retching is the single most recognizable hallmark of GDV. If your dog is making heaving motions, gagging, or acting like they’re about to throw up but nothing — or only a small amount of white foam — comes out, treat it as an emergency.
Why can’t they vomit? Because the stomach has twisted. There’s no exit route for what’s inside. The gas keeps building, the stomach keeps expanding, and your dog keeps trying desperately to relieve the pressure.
I’ve talked to multiple vet techs about this, and they all say the same thing: a large breed dog dry heaving should be treated as bloat until proven otherwise. Period.
3. Restlessness and Inability to Get Comfortable
Dogs in the early stages of GDV know something is very wrong. They just can’t tell you what. So they pace. They lie down, then get back up. Lie down again on a different side. Stand up. Circle. Try lying down one more time.
This isn’t your dog being a little unsettled because there’s a thunderstorm. This is frantic, repetitive, can’t-settle-for-more-than-30-seconds restlessness. Duke was doing this — Lisa described it as him looking panicked, like he couldn’t figure out what position would make the pain stop.
Trust your gut here. You know your dog’s normal behavior. If they’re acting agitated in a way that feels different from anything you’ve seen before, pay close attention to what else is going on.
4. Excessive Drooling
Some drool is normal for certain breeds (looking at you, Saint Bernards and Mastiffs). But sudden, excessive drooling in a dog that doesn’t typically drool much — or way more drool than usual in a breed that does — can signal nausea and the early stages of bloat.
The drool often looks thick and ropy. Your dog might also be licking their lips repeatedly, which is a nausea signal. Combined with any of the other signs on this list, it’s a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.
5. Pacing and Looking at Their Stomach
This one breaks my heart every time I hear about it. Dogs experiencing GDV will often turn their head to look at their own flank or abdomen. They’re literally trying to see what’s hurting them.
Some dogs will also lick or bite at their belly. Others pace in tight circles, stopping periodically to glance back at their side. It’s a very specific behavior — not the casual belly-sniffing dogs do sometimes. There’s an urgency to it that’s unmistakable once you’ve seen it.
If your dog is pacing and keeps looking back at their stomach while also showing signs like retching or a swollen belly, don’t wait to see if it passes. It won’t.
6. Rapid or Shallow Breathing
As the stomach expands, it pushes against the diaphragm. That makes it physically harder for your dog to breathe. You’ll notice their breathing becomes fast and shallow — panting that doesn’t match their activity level.
A normal resting respiratory rate for dogs is roughly 15 to 30 breaths per minute. A dog with GDV might be hitting 40, 50, or higher while just standing still. Their chest may look like it’s barely moving because they can’t take deep breaths.
This symptom tends to show up as bloat progresses. If you’re seeing labored breathing alongside an already swollen abdomen, the situation is advancing and you need to be at the vet already.
7. Weak or Rapid Pulse
As GDV progresses, the twisted stomach compresses major blood vessels — particularly the caudal vena cava, which returns blood to the heart. Your dog’s body responds by cranking the heart rate up to compensate for the reduced blood flow.
You can check your dog’s pulse at the femoral artery on the inside of the upper hind leg. A normal resting heart rate for a large breed dog is about 60 to 100 beats per minute. In GDV, you might feel a heart rate above 120 that feels thready and weak.
Honestly, most people won’t be checking pulse in a panic situation. But if you can, it gives you valuable information — and something concrete to tell the vet when you call ahead on the way.
8. Pale or Blue Gums
Lift your dog’s lip and look at their gums. Healthy gums are pink and moist. In a dog going into shock from GDV, the gums turn:
- Pale pink or white — indicating poor circulation
- Blue or grey — indicating oxygen deprivation (this is late-stage and critical)
- Dark red or muddy — indicating toxin buildup in the blood
Also try the capillary refill test: press your finger against the gum for two seconds, release, and watch how fast the color comes back. Normal is under 2 seconds. If it takes 3 or more seconds, blood flow is compromised.
Pale gums plus a rapid heartbeat means your dog is in shock. This is a genuine life-or-death emergency.
9. Collapse or Extreme Weakness
If your dog collapses, becomes too weak to stand, or seems disoriented and unresponsive, the GDV has progressed to a very dangerous stage. The blood pressure has dropped so low that the body is starting to shut down.
This is late. I won’t sugarcoat it — once a dog is collapsing, the survival odds drop significantly. But dogs have pulled through even from this point with immediate surgical intervention. So you still go. You still drive as fast as safely possible.
Carry your dog to the car if you need to. Call the emergency vet on the way so they can prep for surgery before you arrive. Every single minute counts.
10. Hunched Posture or Prayer Position
You might see your dog standing with their back arched, head low, and front legs stretched forward while their back end stays elevated. This is sometimes called the “prayer position” — and it’s a classic posture for severe abdominal pain.
Some dogs will also stand very stiffly, almost bracing themselves, and refuse to walk normally. They might whimper or groan, though plenty of dogs suffer in silence. Don’t assume lack of vocalizing means lack of pain.
This posture combined with a tight, swollen belly is one of the clearest visual indicators that something serious is happening internally.
Breeds Most at Risk for Bloat
GDV can technically happen to any dog, but certain breeds face dramatically higher risk. Deep-chested breeds — dogs whose chest is significantly deeper than it is wide — are most vulnerable.
| Breed | Lifetime GDV Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Great Dane | ~42% | Highest risk of any breed |
| Standard Poodle | ~8-10% | Often surprises owners |
| German Shepherd | ~7-8% | Very common breed, high total cases |
| Irish Setter | ~7% | Deep, narrow chest |
| Weimaraner | ~5-6% | Anxious temperament adds risk |
| Doberman Pinscher | ~5% | Classic deep-chested build |
| Basset Hound | ~5% | Smaller but still deep-chested |
| Boxer | ~4-5% | Broad-chested but still at risk |
A Great Dane has a 42% lifetime risk of developing GDV. Let that sink in. Nearly half of all Great Danes will experience this at some point. If you own one of these breeds, knowing these warning signs isn’t just helpful — it’s mandatory.
But don’t think you’re in the clear with a medium-sized or mixed breed dog. Labs, Goldens, and even some medium breeds can develop bloat. My neighbor’s Lab mix bloated at age 9 with zero prior history. It happens.
How to Reduce Your Dog’s Bloat Risk
Feeding Habits That Help Prevent Bloat
The research on bloat prevention isn’t perfect, but there are several evidence-based strategies that consistently show up:
Feed 2-3 smaller meals instead of one large meal. This is probably the single most impactful change you can make. A stomach that’s never overly full is less likely to dilate and twist.
Slow down fast eaters. Puzzle feeders, slow-feed bowls, or even spreading kibble on a baking sheet. Dogs that gulp air while speed-eating are at higher risk.
Skip the elevated food bowl. This one surprised a lot of people — elevated bowls were recommended for years to prevent bloat, but a Purdue University study actually found they increased the risk in large and giant breeds by about 20%. I took my Golden’s raised feeder away the day I read that study.
Wait at least an hour after meals before exercise. No running, no rough play, no agitated excitement right after eating. A calm, gentle walk is fine. A game of fetch is not.
Manage stress and anxiety. Dogs with anxious, fearful, or nervous temperaments bloat at higher rates. If your dog has anxiety issues, work with a behaviorist and consider whether that factors into their overall GDV risk.
Should You Get a Preventive Gastropexy
Short answer: if you have a high-risk breed, yes, absolutely. And I don’t say that about many elective procedures.
A prophylactic gastropexy permanently tacks the stomach to the abdominal wall so it physically cannot twist. It reduces GDV risk by approximately 95%. The procedure can be done laparoscopically — minimally invasive, quick recovery — and it’s often performed at the same time as spay or neuter surgery so your dog only goes under anesthesia once.
The cost runs roughly $400 to $1,500 depending on your area and whether it’s done alongside another surgery. For a Great Dane with a 42% lifetime bloat risk, where emergency GDV surgery can cost $5,000 to $10,000 or more? That’s straightforward math.
I wish more breeders and vets pushed this conversation with owners of at-risk breeds. If I ever get a Great Dane — and I’ve thought about it — the gastropexy conversation would happen before I even brought the puppy home.
What to Do If You Suspect Bloat (Emergency Steps)
If you’re seeing multiple signs of bloat in dogs from this list, here’s exactly what to do:
- Don’t panic, but move fast. You need to be calm enough to drive safely and communicate clearly with the vet.
- Get your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Not your regular vet’s office unless they do emergency surgery. You need a facility with surgical capability right now.
- Call ahead while someone else drives (or use hands-free). Tell them you suspect GDV, describe what you’re seeing, give your ETA. This lets them prepare.
- Do not try to relieve the gas yourself. No home remedies. No Gas-X (simethicone won’t help if the stomach has already twisted). No attempting to make your dog vomit.
- Keep your dog as calm and still as possible during transport. The less movement, the better.
- Note the time symptoms started. The vet will want to know how long this has been going on. Check your phone — when did you first notice something wrong?
At the hospital, the vet will likely take X-rays to confirm GDV, stabilize your dog with IV fluids and pain medication, then proceed to surgery to untwist the stomach and assess any tissue damage. They’ll almost certainly perform a gastropexy during the same surgery to prevent recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can small dogs get bloat?
They can, but it’s rare. GDV overwhelmingly affects medium to giant breeds, especially those with deep chests. Small breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Dachshunds have a very low incidence. That said, small dogs with deep chest proportions — like Miniature Poodles or small Basset mixes — carry slightly more risk than other small breeds. Don’t assume size alone makes your dog safe.
How fast does bloat progress in dogs?
Frighteningly fast. A dog can go from first symptoms to life-threatening shock in as little as 1 to 2 hours. Some cases progress even faster. This is not a “wait and see” condition. There’s no version of GDV that resolves on its own.
Can bloat happen even if my dog hasn’t just eaten?
Yes. While eating a large meal is a common trigger, GDV can occur at any time. Stress, vigorous exercise, and even just drinking a lot of water quickly can contribute. Some dogs bloat in the middle of the night, hours after their last meal.
Is bloat hereditary?
There is a genetic component. Dogs with a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who experienced GDV are at significantly higher risk. If your dog’s parents or littermates have had bloat, talk to your vet about prophylactic gastropexy and be extra vigilant about prevention.
What’s the survival rate for dogs with GDV?
With prompt surgical treatment, survival rates range from about 67% to 90%, depending on how quickly the dog gets to surgery and whether stomach tissue has died. Without treatment, GDV is almost always fatal. The biggest factor in survival is time — dogs that reach surgery within 1 to 2 hours of symptom onset have the best outcomes by far.
Bloat is one of those things that every dog owner should know about but hopes they’ll never face. The signs of bloat in dogs aren’t subtle once you know what to look for — but they’re easy to dismiss if you don’t. Unproductive retching, a hard swollen belly, restlessness that won’t quit. These aren’t quirks. They’re alarms.
Keep your emergency vet’s number in your phone right now, not when you need it. Know the fastest route to the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital. And if you own a high-risk breed, have that gastropexy conversation with your vet sooner rather than later.
I’d rather you read this article and never need it. But if you do need it — even once — knowing these 10 signs could save your dog’s life.
Featured Image Source: Pexels
