Bloat is very rare in Aussies but it does occasionally happen.
Australian Shepherds can experience gastrointestinal issues for a myriad of reasons, but fortunately many of these issues can be alleviated at home with a few natural remedies or supplements.
It occurs primarily in large, deep-chested breeds. Bloat occurs without warning and is very difficult to treat. It does not seem to affect one sex more than the other, but is more likely to occur as a dog ages. Bloat commonly occurs in dogs between the ages of 7 and 12 years.
An x-ray can indicate if a dog has simple bloat, where the stomach appears very distended and round and is usually full of food or gas. X-rays also show if bloat has progressed to GDV and the stomach appears very distended and has what looks like a bubble on top of the already swollen stomach.
GDV requires surgery to correct, specifically a procedure called "gastropexy." Stomach bloat is a condition your dog will not survive without surgical treatment. If you do not or aren't able to move forward with the surgery, euthanasia is likely the only other option.
A dog with bloat might still drink water. Some dogs refuse to drink and eat completely, others actually seek out water to replenish after vomiting or to alleviate the pain bloat causes. What is this? In any case, you shouldn't let your dog drink large amounts quickly if bloat is suspected.
If you notice that your dog is not acting normal, has a bloated belly, tries to vomit, circles like he cannot get comfortable, and has trouble breathing, you need to get your dog to a veterinary emergency hospital right away. This may be a life-threatening illness called bloat.
Aussies are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will test breeding stock for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts and certain forms of cancer. An Aussie's ears should be checked regularly to remove foreign matter and avoid a buildup of wax, and his teeth should be brushed regularly.
Causes of Allergies For Australian Shepherds
Allergies are an immune system disease characterized by an overactive and excessive response to pollen, dust mites, fleas, or other substances in the environment. Skin allergies can also come from the food they are eating, materials within their environment, and much more.
No exercise for 30-60 minutes after a meal, and nothing hard (no hard running or playing.) Because bloat is a true emergency, I encourage owners to be prepared at home.
Waiting 30–60 minutes is best, so they are not panting and taking in air while they are eating.
Abdominal distention (swollen stomach) When tapped the stomach makes a 'ping' sound. Non-productive vomiting (appears to be vomiting, but nothing comes up or only produces white froth) Retching.
The treatment for bloat is a stomach pump to relieve the gas and if the stomach is twisted, surgery to untwist the stomach. In some cases of bloat the pancreas and spleen are also affected and additional surgical intervention is required.
Your vet will first release the build-up of gas and air inside the stomach to stop the tissue in the stomach from dying and take pressure off surrounding organs. This can be done using a tube and stomach pump, but surgery is sometimes needed. It's possible to untwist the gut at this point as well, but not always.
A "large amount" of food will vary depending on the size of the dog. A small dog, like a Pug or Chihuahua, can bloat from eating 2–3 times their daily intake. A large breed dog, like a Lab or Great Dane, may need to ingest 3–5 times their normal food intake to cause their stomach to bloat.
According to Dr Tanya King, senior lecturer in anthropology from Victoria's Deakin University, “it's Australians' egalitarianism, sense of humour and informal language that are most commonly cited as examples of this attitude”.
How much exercise do Australian Shepherds need? Australian Shepherds are extremely active dogs that require more than 2 hours of exercise a day. They require committed owners who are willing to give them lots of exercise if they are not going to be used as a working dog.
They are generally healthy with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Common health conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1), ocular conditions, epilepsy, and various cancers.
Australian Shepherds are prone to developing skin allergies, likely due to genetic factors, but as in most dogs this is potentially influenced by their genes, their upbringing, their exposure to allergens, and their general exposure.
The most common food allergens are cow's milk (dairy), egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy, fish, shellfish and wheat. Almost any substance that is eaten (including herbal medicine) can trigger an allergic reaction. Mild or moderate food allergic reactions are common in Australia and New Zealand.