Far from what is thought, the torsion of the stomach is a disease that is often common in our pets. In general, it occurs in large dog breeds such as the German Shepherd, Great Dane and San Bernardo, among others. However, it can occur in any breed and it is important to detect it in time in order to save the life of the animal.
For that reason, in the following lines we give you some tips that will allow you to recognize the gastric torsion in the dog, as well as the measures that should be taken at the moment to prevent the death of your pet.

What is the torsion of the stomach?

Before mentioning some symptoms that allow to recognize when a dog is suffering from stomach torsion, it is necessary to know what this disease consists of.
Basically, stomach twisting is a disease caused by the expansion of the stomach. This causes excessive production of gases, causing the animal to suffer from unbearable pain and even cause serious problems such as death.
It should be noted that this disease occurs when the dog ingests more food than it can withstand, to the point of not being able to digest it. This causes the accumulation of gases that exaggeratedly increases the size of the dog’s stomach, which causes pressure on vital organs of the body, breathing difficulties and poor circulation of blood and organs such as the heart.
Symptoms of gastric torsion in dogs
Although we can know the origin of stomach torsion, it is difficult to know when it is formed. Therefore, it is more relevant to have knowledge about the symptoms that dogs can present at the time of suffering from the disease and thus be able to act quickly and safely.
One of the main indications of gastric torsion is nervousness in dogs or excessive panting. This exaggeration of anxiety may be accompanied by certain tremors that we have to identify that are not the product of the cold. It is advisable to feel the abdomen to perceive with certainty the origin of the tremor.
On the other hand, the dog may have excessive salivation and attempts to vomit. In turn, these symptoms can cause dizziness and respiratory failure. In this last point, it is essential that you bring it to the veterinary clinic urgently to alleviate this and any other worrying signs.

Another revelation to consider about the torsion of the stomach, is that the dog can present paleness in the gums, product of vomiting and difficulty in breathing. It should be noted that all this leads to a great exhaustion that will cause the animal to go into shock if the symptoms are not recognized in time.

How to act before these symptoms?

The first thing you should do is take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
It is normal to go into a state of despair if you get to observe any of the symptoms of gastric torsion in your pet. In those moments, it is necessary to remain calm since the nerves are usually difficult to control, which means that the actions to be taken are not properly coordinated. You must keep in mind that everything you feel you will transmit to the animal, managing to stress it, which can contribute to the increase of symptoms.
In addition, it is essential to be clear that there is no home remedy to cure the torsion in the stomach of the dog, hence the importance of taking it immediately to the veterinarian in order to be the specialist in internal medicine. to hydrate and take the necessary actions to relieve symptoms.
If the disease is very advanced, it is likely that the dog goes into a state of shock; in this case it will be necessary to reanimate it while it is attended by the specialist.

Tips to prevent gastric torsion in dogs

There are dog breeds that are predisposed to suffer from gastric torsion disease, however, it is advisable to take into account some tips to prevent the same regardless of the breed of your pet.
To begin, it is advisable to wait an average of one hour to feed your dog if it is very agitated after a moment of exercise or strong play. Relaxation is an opportune state to eat.
In the same way, it is important to wait approximately one hour after each meal so that the dog can go out to play or to carry out any activity, to make sure that he has digested the food.
It is good to avoid dogs consuming water in exaggerated quantities. They may be thirsty after a game time, but if we notice that they drink uncontrollably, we advise you to remove the container and give it water in slower doses.
Also, you can control the doses of food in several portions a day, that is, it is preferable that the animal consume 3 or 4 small plates of food that a single huge portion, as it can cause the dog to feel choked and very full during most of the day

Consuming excess feed can generate more gas in the stomach of the canine, stimulating the appearance of the symptoms of gastric torsion, so it is recommended to give the food in the amounts specified by the veterinarian, according to the weight and breed of the animal.
Some veterinarians recommend that the food dishes be placed at an average height between the floor and the head of the dog, so that their position is more appropriate at mealtime. In this way, you can prevent the pet from choking and also feel more comfortable.
It is important to recognize when your pet has symptoms of stomach twisting, in order to act in the right way and go as quickly as possible to the veterinarian so that they perform all the necessary checks and treatments.